Editor’s note: This commentary is by Michael J. Badamo, of Montpelier, who was editor and publisher of The Watchman. He has been in and out of Vermont politics since 1976; in 2002 ran for governor as a Progressive. The following is his written testimony submitted to the Senate Government Operations Committee.
[M]y name is Michael Badamo. I have lived in Montpelier for many years. I do not represent any organization or special interest. My concerns and opinions are solely my own speaking as an ordinary Vermonter.
It has recently been reported that at least some members of this committee consider cannabis legalization as “inevitably” coming in Vermont. I hope this is true. I hope we are finally getting past several generations of lies and government sponsored misinformation regarding this most beneficial plant.
However, advocates of continued prohibition are making one argument that resonates with me. They warn that cannabis legalization will inevitably produce the corporate tyranny of “big marijuana” similar to “big tobacco” or “big pharmaceutical.” I don’t believe this is inevitable but avoiding it requires careful consideration. Corporate cannabis is already well underway nationally and internationally. Vermont would do well to avoid it insofar as possible.
In the past three or fours years we have seen the explosion of the so-called “green rush” with thousands of people and dozens of newly minted corporations scrambling to grab market share of a new and, seemingly, hugely profitable industry. Stories abound of sharp operators and political insiders, sometimes backed by millions of dollars, pushing exclusive monopolies and questionable products at hugely inflated prices. This is especially troubling in regard to medical uses. It would be a huge mistake, in my opinion, for Vermont to encourage large corporate participation or monopoly control of our local cannabis markets.
Vermont is small. We like it that way. We like our small towns and locally owned businesses. We like our farmers markets and craft beers. We like our backyard gardens and close-knit communities. These are the models that ought to be respected in your consideration of a future legal cannabis marketplace in Vermont.
In recent years it seems that state legislatures are beginning to seriously consider cannabis legalization mostly because of potential tax revenue. Washington state is an example of government greed for revenue threatening to destroy the real benefits of cannabis legalization. Washington voters passed two separate referenda permitting cannabis use for medical and then for recreational purposes. However, their state legislature and Liquor Control Board have piled on burdensome regulations and costs and three levels of excessive taxation. Now some legislators are trying to eliminate medical distribution in order to collect more taxes. This has produced an enormous surplus of unsold cannabis and too few retail outlets. News reports claim there is currently a 45,000 pound surplus. Retail outlets offer cannabis at $20-$30 a gram and are hard pressed to make ends meet. cannabis that sells for over $13,000 a pound is bringing the farmer less that $1,000 a pound. This clearly is not a sustainable model.
The black market continues to thrive. Why should anyone drive 50 miles to pay three times the price for an inferior product when they can still get better weed from their local neighborhood dealer? I suspect much of this surplus will end up being shipped east.
It is a mistake to consider cannabis a cash cow for government for two reasons:
1. We already have a thriving cannabis market in Vermont and have had for many years. If government wants to “regulate” this market it will have to allow something better, something more attractive, than is currently available. Just calling off the police dogs is not enough. Burdensome bureaucracy and higher prices may attract some tourist money and newly minted experimenters but the rest of us can easily stay away because:
2. Cannabis is easy to grow even in Vermont. It is about as difficult a crop to produce as corn or strawberries. Greenhouse and indoor growers are plentiful and expertise widespread.
If governments continue to attempt to extract excess taxes at the legal retail level to raise prices and deter consumption the black market will continue to thrive simply because the same or better product will be available cheaper on the street.
Legalization in other states has already dropped the price of cannabis dramatically all over the country in recent years. The more states that legalize the more the price will drop at the farm but not necessarily at the local retailer. If governments continue to attempt to extract excess taxes at the legal retail level to raise prices and deter consumption the black market will continue to thrive simply because the same or better product will be available cheaper on the street.
I expect prices, on the street and elsewhere, will continue to go down as the risk premium continues to decline. The cheaper the price of cannabis the more benefits for everyone including government. Modest taxes and sensible regulations are certainly possible but I am reminded of the fable of the “Goose that Laid the Golden Egg.” It did not end well.
Assuming that legalization will bring some level of tax revenue the question arises as to how to spend it. Of course, many government agencies will make a case for themselves but it would be a grave injustice to hand out funds as a sort of bribery for public support. The police don’t need more money to stop enforcing an unwise and unjust law.
There is, however, an important unfilled cannabis related need for funds. Unbiased scientific research, especially in regard to as yet little explored medical uses, is urgently required. Colorado is currently funding several million dollars worth of research out of cannabis tax revenue which promise useful results. Vermont should do the same. We will all be better served by accurate scientific evidence rather than political propaganda.
We already know that whole plant cannabis provides multiple beneficial medical uses. Vermont has grudgingly recognized this fact but allows its use only as an “illicit” substance. Many thousands of us, especially seniors, could benefit but are not because the law continues to treat Vermonters who use cannabis as medicine like they are criminals who require police supervision. Support in the medical community is weak possibly because doctors don’t like to be treated like criminals either but the evidence for medical benefits continues to pile up. There are probably 100,000 Vermonters, mostly seniors, who could benefit from cannabis medication relieving the infirmities of old age while cutting burdensome costs currently funneled to the pharmaceutical industry.
Now our Legislature is considering legalizing “recreational” cannabis. There are many practical details for you to consider but I urge you most of all to stop demonizing one of the most beneficial plant species on earth. Cannabis is a blessing, not a curse, and the law ought to start recognizing that fact.
There is one more concern I would like to call to your attention. I specifically request that the word “marijuana” be eliminated from all Vermont statutes and replaced with the word “cannabis.” Marijuana is a racist epithet invented in the era of Reefer Madness to promote fear of Mexican immigrants. Mary Jane may have been used by some Mexicans in preceding generations but several other slang terms were also in common use.
Cannabis is not only the scientifically correct term, it also carries linguistic integrity across several Indo-European languages. Cannabis is the term used most often in Europe and internationally. There are many interesting and colorful slang terms for cannabis but “marijuana” is an ugly reminder of a disgraceful era of extreme racism. Racist language should not deface Vermont’s law books.
Cannabis is not “like alcohol” and should not be regulated like alcohol. Alcohol can be made from many different fruits, grains and vegetables and must be manufactured. cannabis and cannabinoids grow naturally. Cannabis is a single unique species with multiple and diverse beneficial uses. Alcohol, widely accepted and available everywhere, is vastly more dangerous and less useful than cannabis. Alcohol kills people every day, from overdose, car crashes, domestic violence and ruins lives though addiction. Cannabis causes no fatalities and is minimally harmful to a limited number of people who use it improperly.
Cannabis is an herb, a plant not a drug and, ideally, should be treated no differently than any other herb. Many beneficial medications and other products can be fabricated from this remarkable herb but the herb remains just a plant and even though this plant has been in human service for thousands of years we are only beginning to understand the potential human benefits of Cannabis sativa.
I wish you the very best in your deliberations on this issue and I can only hope for your success. Thank you for listening.
