Here in California they are totally commercializing the cannabis industry, stacking it against the small growers and attempting to eliminate the 'black market'. The latest news today is the scheme our Insurance Commissioner has cooked up to make more money for his insurance friends. Insurance for the cannabis industry!!! Read more in the press release.
Takes a lot of money to be licensed in Colorado and if you have a criminal record for saying growing pot you will not get that license. You broke the law as it was at that time. So the average grower who knows weed and cares about it probably odes not own the shop. It's how capatilsim goes. Weed makes money. You can buy an oz for $100 or less here but a good $100 oz is tougher to find. Lots of people are not picky.