I have been consistently voicing my concerns about Washington State running the cannabis market. Topics have largely been focused on what the State-run market will do to the medical marijuana market. That is, what will be left for MMJ after the law makers start seeing the money roll in. With recent news from Colorado that revenues from legal cannabis sales are projected to outpace both alcohol and tobacco, it’s only a matter of time before Washington follows suit.

Beyond the possible restrictions that legal cannabis brings to MMJ, another concern I have is what will happen to the quality of our bud when the bottom line guides their operations rather than compassionate, careful growth prevalent in medical dispensaries. (Before anyone sends an empassioned response claiming that dispensaries are also concerned with their bottom line, let me say: true. However, money is not the Prime Directive, quality and safety matter more).

Similar to the difference between conventionally farmed produce and local, small farm produce, I worry that when bending to the all mighty dollar, the care put into growing cannabis will be replaced with cold, mechanical efficiency. This is not the denegrate industrial modalities. To be sure, we could not feasably feed our own popluation without the large, impersonal corporate farms. I do not agree with GMO’s and pesticides, but I do acknowledge that the challenge of producing the required amount of food without such things is large.

Medical marijuana is grown with care by people who not only understand the science of horticulture, but also intrinsically understand what MMJ patients are seeking in their medicine. Maybe I’m a snob about my weed, but I will find it hard to smoke State-Snicklefritz after consuming some carefully grown OG Kush or Blue Dream.

Again, these are only concerns. With the legal weed market still finding it’s way here in Washington, we have yet to see just what it will do to MMJ and bud quality. Maybe the State weed will be high quality as well, but I have a difficult time believing they can reach for mass-production and still maintain high quality standards.

I hope I am wrong.