John's spot on... it's just another case of people making up/inflating numbers for their own purposes.
People pro legalization will use the story in an attempt to show that it's so common and such a boost to the economy that it needs to be legalized.
People anti legalization will use the story in an attempt to show how bad the problem is and that we need to throw even more resources at combating the evil weed, build more prisons, arrest more people, confiscate more money/cars/houses, equip more swat teams... etc.
The only thing I see vaguely sensible is that I suspect the average 'wholesale' price is closer to retail (guessing 50%) than a crop like wheat to a product like a bag of flour. Only because I suspect the average grower is going through less levels of markup than most products with the exception of the large scale importers. I do wonder what the huge packages that the boat runners bring in go for at that level... say your buying it by the ton.
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09:51 PM
srat110 Member
Posts: 860 From: Lubbock, Tx, USA Registered: Aug 2005
Well I have no idea about the "numbers" involved here so I won't bother to try to debate either side of this. I did however remember a story about some guy's in Tennessee that got busted. Pretty fancy pot farm.
Well, let's just do a little comparative research, shall we?
Let's see, what might be similar? How about tobacco?
quote
Flue-cured tobacco production is expected to total 274 million pounds, 20% below the 344 million pounds produced in 2004. The decrease in production resulted from the tobacco buyouts. For 2005, yield per acre averaged 2,227 pounds, down 45 pounds per acre from last year. Harvested area is expected to total 123,000 acres, 28,400 acres below 2004.
So, we have tobacco, something that has HUGE leaves and all of them are used, yielding well under 2,500 pounds per acre. But you think the Buds on an average marijuana plant weigh 10 pounds?
So let's see what else we can find similar...................
Hemp will be harvested as a fibre only crop or a dual grain and fibre crop. In a dual-purpose scenario, stalk yield should be in the .75 to 1.5 tonnes/acre range.
In crops grown and managed solely as fibre crops, average yields of 3 tonnes/acre are expected with a range from 1 to 6 tonnes per acre. Moisture content at time of harvest will be about 40%. Chart #10 is an example of the fibre yield potential and the influence of increased seeding rate or plant population. Increasing plant population appears to be the key to increased fibre yields.
That's 6 tonnes MAXIMUMusing the WHOLE PLANT with averages 1/2 that.
Tell me again how one average/large plant is going to make 10 pounds of dope. Not happening.
Again, I don't care about the topic if it's dope or widgets, but let's at least use a little common sense.
John Stricker
PS: Steve, BTW, as I said I'm not exactly a stranger to what marijuana looks like. Come out here in July and knock yourself out, you'll have more smoke than you can use in 5 lifetimes, and that is NOT a small plant, inside, outside, or any other side.
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:
Does this look like 2’ wide X 18”
Inside plants are smaller yes that’s the one pound size.
Now that plant in the picture is of a outside plant, can you see 10 pounds in that?
And for an outside plant that is small. I have seen them 20’ tall.
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10:24 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
I suspect it depends on the quantities involved, just like anything else. By 50# of dope and you're at wholesale. Buy a baggie and the markup is outrageous. With other grains, for JUST the grain, doesn't matter really. Wheat is wheat. However, whole grain flower is about $35 ish for 50 pounds, and all they do is smash wheat to make it. Right now, here, wheat is about $4.60 or so per bushel (60 pounds) so that makes it $3.83 for 50 pounds. My calculator says that's a 914% markup. Not bad just to run it through a couple of rocks (which stone ground is worth more than metal drums, for whatever reason).
The wheat I was selling in the packages was organic at that time, no fertilizer, no chemicals. That made it worth a bit more, but the organic market unless you go through the hassle of selling direct is just as greedy and corrupt as the dope market, I suspect. (lots of stuff sold as "organic" that isn't even close)
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by Scott-Wa:
John's spot on... it's just another case of people making up/inflating numbers for their own purposes.
People pro legalization will use the story in an attempt to show that it's so common and such a boost to the economy that it needs to be legalized.
People anti legalization will use the story in an attempt to show how bad the problem is and that we need to throw even more resources at combating the evil weed, build more prisons, arrest more people, confiscate more money/cars/houses, equip more swat teams... etc.
The only thing I see vaguely sensible is that I suspect the average 'wholesale' price is closer to retail (guessing 50%) than a crop like wheat to a product like a bag of flour. Only because I suspect the average grower is going through less levels of markup than most products with the exception of the large scale importers. I do wonder what the huge packages that the boat runners bring in go for at that level... say your buying it by the ton.
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10:31 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
You're still missing the point. The plant in YOUR picture is a good 8' wide. Sure, that could make 10 pounds of buds, but look at the area that plant is taking Ryan!
An 8' plant is going to take up 50 square feet. If it makes that means 850 plants per acre. Times 10 pounds per plant and what do you get? 8,500 pounds per acre. Now compare that to the figures I just posted on hemp production. Huh. Who would have thought it.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by ryan.hess:
I don't think he said average... he said large and outdoors.
So you don't think it's possible?
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10:55 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
And the BUDS are a small part of the total plant, Steve. You can only get so much organic growing mass out of given amount of soil, sunlight, and moisture.
But you know what guys? You're all right. I'm full of crap. Hell, I'll bet the little baby plants make 50 pounds of bud and it's all worth $10,000 a pound. Heck, it must be so, I think I read that on the internet somewhere.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:
John hemp is not a bud yielding plant. It is a fiber plant. To make rope, cloths, and other products.
A bud yielding plant could also yield hemp but to a lesser extent.
The stuff you find growing on the road side is ditch weed, usually of quite inferior quality bud, or fiber.
Just take a look at the article that srat110 posted.
I’m not a regular smoker anymore but do have friends that are and keep me somewhat in the loop as far as info goes.
This house in this article is what I was talking about when I said growers of indoor plants can grow huge amounts of pot.
Take a read, just think about it. If there were just a few homes like this in every state, and believe me there are.
Growing outside is not so prevalent anymore. Because of visibility issues, being ripped off by a local just walking by, or confiscation by police.
Just give the article a read, it does show some of what I have talked about in very good detail with details.
Still believe it isn’t as big a cash crop?
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10:57 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
Originally posted by 84fiero123: Still believe it isn’t as big a cash crop?
I think he doesn't doubt that it is...... but he thinks pricing it "by the pound" isn't a fair comparison against wheat, and other crops which are sold by the kiloton in rail cars....
Which is true, it's not. But I would say that at least 50-75% of the marijuana harvested is homegrown by hobbyists/medical users/easy-buck people right here in the US. They won't sell pot by the kiloton. or ton. Instead you'll see it "straight from the farm" for a couple thou/lb.
So yes, if wheat was homegrown by hobbyists and sold by the pound it would probably cost $200 and be the US's largest cash crop. But it's not. Deal with it. You can't compare apples and oranges in this case, you just have to go by how much they cost.
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10:58 PM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
Originally posted by ryan.hess: I don't think he said average... he said large and outdoors. So you don't think it's possible?
Thank you for making my point, no indoor plant could produce 10 lbs, at least I have never see or heard of one that did, I suppose it’s possible if you had a high enough ceiling and enough lights.
Outdoor plant can yield 10+ lbs. and when someone plants these they are not in rows like corn. They are spread out in different places so as not to be found.
I used to have a buddy in the 80’s that did the green house bit for a couple of years. Made his money and quit. It can be quite profitable if you are not to greedy or stupid.
He now just grows a few plants for himself. He made his money.
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
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11:00 PM
PFF
System Bot
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
Originally posted by jstricker: And the BUDS are a small part of the total plant, Steve. You can only get so much organic growing mass out of given amount of soil, sunlight, and moisture. But you know what guys? You're all right. I'm full of crap. Hell, I'll bet the little baby plants make 50 pounds of bud and it's all worth $10,000 a pound. Heck, it must be so, I think I read that on the internet somewhere. John Stricker
I thought I just said that, The buds are only part of the plant but if this were a legal crop, you would not just have the buds when you were done you would have the fiber to sell also.
It’s not all worth $10k a pound, at least not from my friends, but it is now worth several thousand dollars a pound.
Just not worth fighting over, my info was not off Google, or the Idiot Net my info was from personal experience years ago.
Just because it’s on the Idiot Net does not mean it’s true,(I have said that before in other threads).
I do know people here, and in many other states that make quite a good living growing weed on the side.
Nothing on the scale of that underground one in the article in TN but they are not far behind.
Up here in Maine we have a town called Starks where like Alaska they just turn a blind eye to personal growth. That makes it easier for the people who do it on larger scales.
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
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11:11 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
1) the author claims dope is the largest cash crop. 2) to prove his claim he says that it grossed $35.8 billion dollars 3) he also claimed that corn's value was $23.3 billion. He was wrong. I gave you links showing the value of corn at $43.1 billion. This was not a "mistake" on the authors part. It was done deliberately and intentionally to make his point. 4) even his claim of value of the crop goes undisputed by you guys yet when you crunch the numberst that comes to every man, woman and child smoking 1/4 pound or so of pot every year. 5) rayb says that at 1/8 of an ounch low end is $30,000,000. 1/8 oz * 12 million * 52 = 4.9 million pounds. That is nowhere near $35 Billion. (you said low end, ray, not me) 6) Phranc says that (hypothetically speaking, of course!! ) he and a friend could do 1 ounce per day with "heavy" smoking. That's 1/2 oz per person per day, and there are very few heavy smokers of dope because these people are basically unemployable.
Folks, sorry, as I said I don't care if you do it, how you do it, or what you do. I know how much biomass can come out of a given area. I do this crap for a living. I've given you all the evidence you need to see that the comparison is BS. In response, I get "Hey, look at the size of this, don't you think???????????"
Give me a break people. Do some thinking about the DATA.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by ryan.hess:
I think he doesn't doubt that it is...... but he thinks pricing it "by the pound" isn't a fair comparison against wheat, and other crops which are sold by the kiloton in rail cars....
Which is true, it's not. But I would say that at least 50-75% of the marijuana harvested is homegrown by hobbyists/medical users/easy-buck people right here in the US. They won't sell pot by the kiloton. or ton. Instead you'll see it "straight from the farm" for a couple thou/lb.
So yes, if wheat was homegrown by hobbyists and sold by the pound it would probably cost $200 and be the US's largest cash crop. But it's not. Deal with it. You can't compare apples and oranges in this case, you just have to go by how much they cost.
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11:15 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
When I was in college I had what might be called a somewhat eclectic taste in music. Over about 3 years I saw:
Doobie Brothers Jethro Tull America Steve Miller Band Kansas Billy Joel Queen Rod Stewart Waylon Jennings (Luckenback TX, hot single back then)
and more that I'm sure I've forgotten. Yes, alcohol was involved.
None of those I'm ashamed of, but since you've forced me into true confessions........................Bless me father for I have sinned....................
I dated a girl named Cindy for a (short) time. She desperately wanted to see HER most favoritist group in the world. We drove to Dallas, TX to see............. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . wait for it . . . . . . . . . . . .. The Partridge Family.
Please, Father Steve, tell me what penance I must do to put this horrendous sin behind me. I only did it for, well, you darn well know WHY I did it.
John Stricker
quote
Originally posted by 84fiero123:
I got to ask this and it is totaly off topic folks forgive me.
John you went to see, I mean you actually paid for tickets to see the Doobie Brothers?
Tull I can see, but the Doobie brothers? John I wouldn’t admit that on pain of death.
I mean don’t get me wrong here but those 2 groups are so far apart I can’t even comprehend what you were smoking, or drinking when you went to see the Doobies.
Come on John be honest, you had to be smoking, drinking, something.
Come on you can tell us, we won’t hold it against you.
Sorry to all but this was just getting to heated. It needed to be cooled down.
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11:25 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
Originally posted by jstricker: [shakes head] 5) rayb says that at 1/8 of an ounch low end is $30,000,000. 1/8 oz * 12 million * 52 = 4.9 million pounds. That is nowhere near $35 Billion. (you said low end, ray, not me) John Stricker
I think Ray was trying to explain how they figure the dollar amount of a pot bust.
They take what 1/8 of an oz’s price, lets just say $50 to make it easy.
8x50=400 oz, but wait that not how they figure it. They then multiply the oz price x16= 6400 that’s per lb.
But wait that’s still not how they figure it for the big busts, now there are 2,000 lbs in one ton so now multiply $6,400 X 2,000 lbs equals= $12,800,000 a ton. Now that is how street value is estimated for the big busts.
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
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11:33 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
Originally posted by jstricker: 3) he also claimed that corn's value was $23.3 billion. He was wrong. I gave you links showing the value of corn at $43.1 billion. This was not a "mistake" on the authors part. It was done deliberately and intentionally to make his point.
In my skimming of the report, he used an average from 2003-2005 from the USDA. Not *just* 2005 or whenever your source is tallied
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11:35 PM
jstricker Member
Posts: 12956 From: Russell, KS USA Registered: Apr 2002
Plant Yield Plant yield has been estimated on a conservative basis of 200 grams (approximately 7 ounces) per outdoor plant and 100 grams (approximately 3.5 ounces) per indoor plant. These yields are considered conservative compared to frequent reports by police stating the potential yield of seized marijuana plants to be 1 pound per plant.
Tell me again about that 10 pounds per plant crap.
When I was in college I had what might be called a somewhat eclectic taste in music. Over about 3 years I saw:
Doobie Brothers Jethro Tull America Steve Miller Band Kansas Billy Joel Queen Rod Stewart Waylon Jennings (Luckenback TX, hot single back then)
and more that I'm sure I've forgotten. Yes, alcohol was involved.
None of those I'm ashamed of, but since you've forced me into true confessions........................Bless me father for I have sinned....................
I dated a girl named Cindy for a (short) time. She desperately wanted to see HER most favoritist group in the world. We drove to Dallas, TX to see............. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . wait for it . . . . . . . . . . . .. The Partridge Family.
Please, Father Steve, tell me what penance I must do to put this horrendous sin behind me. I only did it for, well, you darn well know WHY I did it.
John Stricker
I was just trying to put some humor into this thread before someone went postal.
I almost choked on my pretzel on that. LOL
Dam dude you really wanted to get in that girls pants.
You old pervert, or should I say young pervert.
Well seeing we are into confections,
Before I met Melanie, over 20 years ago I had this girlfriend named Ellen.
Well Ellen wanted to go to see. . . . . . . . . Flock of Seagulls
I really have to admit, she was worth my ears bleeding but we all have our skeletons.
I was just trying to put some humor into this thread before someone went postal.
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
Back in the 70’s when I did smoke We used to go out to lunch. As many people as would fit in who evers car was closest to the door.
Make a package store run, as soon as we left the gate the joints got lit, 5 guys, 5 joints. When we got to the package store everyone would pile out and get, lunch at the pizza store and beer.
Got back in the car and lit 5 more joints, opened 5 beers. Got back to the parking lot and lit 5 more and drank 5 more.
So by the time we opened the doors Cheech & Chong had nothing on us.
I used to work at a machine shop in Texas, and a few of us had a similar dinnertime routine (it was night shift). But then we'd go back to the shop and play doubles ping pong against the straight guys - and win at least as often as not.
Good Luck!
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12:02 AM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
Plant Yield Plant yield has been estimated on a conservative basis of 200 grams (approximately 7 ounces) per outdoor plant and 100 grams (approximately 3.5 ounces) per indoor plant. These yields are considered conservative compared to frequent reports by police stating the potential yield of seized marijuana plants to be 1 pound per plant.
I think you missed this part John
These yields are considered conservative compared to frequent reports by police stating the potential yield of seized marijuana plants to be 1 pound per plant.
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
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12:03 AM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
if you are trying to hide plants you prune them, that also gives a bonus in extra tops so most wind up with short low plants that are eazyer to hide but do not get real big
indoor growers have limited space and low cealings
most leaves falloff as the plant goes to bud so a mature plant has little waste unlike your wild rag weeds both in sizr and yeilds
his other crop figures maybe low but could be just food grade corn not animal feed or not cobb sold corn just dry kernal corn or some other sub class or maybe just bad data he picked up
btw 12 million people at a 1/8 oz a week are both minimum numbers of people and amounts used real number are higher thats why I said 10 million lbs minimum double eathor people or amounts and you get that number and are still in the middle of the goverment est range of those numbers
------------------ Question wonder and be wierd are you kind?
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03:06 AM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
Originally posted by jstricker: ...Just don't miss my point that just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean you shouldn't stop to think if it's at all reasonable.
John, That's precisely why I ended the subject line with a "?". I knew the article was just the opinion of one study. There is always room for interpretation. I just find it amusing that it's even a contender for the spot. Being illegal and all. And of course, whenever there is a raid, the cops always state the "street value". That is, broken down into "nickel or dime bags". Grossly inflated, to be sure, but makes it look like our tax dollars are being well spent. Nothing like a self-administered pat on the back, that nobody is going to be able to verify. If the cops can do it, why not take them at their word.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-20-2006).]
the average grower can turn around 1lb of smokable bud out of a single plant.
for the high end bud you pay around 2000 for that lb from the grower. it then breaks down from there.
i think what the misunderstanding of this is the fact that corn is not illegal wheat is not illegal it can be grown in mass amounts visible to all because of this the price is low. imagine if corn became illegal. what would that do to the price of an ear of corn because now you have to grow it in your basement...ect.
all in all its not a fair compairison
------------------ ride hard live long ride stupid die fast. ride 4 life 85 gt 4sp 87 se 6cy auto 86gt 5sp
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07:48 AM
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
I don't think you're following my reasoning and I do believe the prices you are telling me, but you're telling me the end user, full retail prices and that's not what is being used for the prices for the other crops.
I'm not blowing a gasket and I'd be making the same comments if we were talking about widgets and thingies when the numbers aren't realistic.
The author of the article/study/whatever is taking the most expensive, full retail price of one product (dope) and claiming it to be the largest cash crop when compared against other products which he's valuing at the cheapest possible wholesale price.
THAT is my point. It's a disingenuous and inaccurate use of the data. The fact that it happens to be pot is simply a reflection of him trying to make a point about that particular substance. I agree, it is hard to compare the two crops. *I* didn't try to compare them, the guy in the article did, and he did it poorly and dishonestly.
John Stricker
PS: I'm also more than a little skeptical of the 10# per plant figure, but that's neither here nor there. Why? Well, in good hay for our area, we can raise about 2,500 # of forage per acre. That's about 1/20 or a pound per square foot. In cane feed, which is planted solid, this year (an admittedly dry year) I grew 7,300 # per acre of wet feed. (3 1/2 tons). That figures out to 1/6 of a pound per square foot. The marijuana plants around here grow to about 18" in diameter, if left alone, so that's less than 2 square feet of area. My feed was a little over 6' tall solidly covering the field. You guys are talking about JUST THE BUDS.
Sorry, not buying it. But whatever you guys want it to be, it's cool by me. Just don't miss my point that just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean you shouldn't stop to think if it's at all reasonable.
well, I see where you are trying to take this at least its on topic - "Herb is the largest cash crop?" I know I spend more on weed per month that any other single crop. and, I would guess tobacco would be my number 2.
now - what I spend - and the farmer receives - well, theres a whole big "thing" in the middle. with the weed, theres the illegal activity to pay for - with the tobacco, theres the crooks to pay for.
now - as this applies to the "war on drugs" - if weed was legal - it would NOT have much value in the field anymore, would it? it would be worthless. it would be - what it is: weed. if you want to say weed is a cash crop & saving farmers - then you must want to keep it illegal.
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09:19 AM
Dec 22nd, 2006
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
I know this is off topic but I just thought it was interesting. Being it is a cop marketing the video, and he was one of the best drug enforcement agents in Tyler, Texas.
p {margin:12px 0px 0px 0px;} TYLER, Texas (AP) - A one-time Texas drug agent described by his former boss as perhaps the best narcotics officer in the country plans to market a how-to video on concealing drugs and fooling police. Barry Cooper, who has worked for small police departments in East Texas, plans to launch a Web site next week where he will sell his video, "Never Get Busted Again," the Tyler Morning Telegraph reported in its online edition Thursday. A promotional video says Cooper will show viewers how to "conceal their stash,""avoid narcotics profiling" and "fool canines every time." Cooper, who said he favors the legalization of marijuana, made the video in part because he believes the nation's fight against drugs is a waste of resources. Busting marijuana users fills up prisons with nonviolent offenders, he said. document.write('');
"My main motivation in all of this is to teach Americans their civil liberties and what drives me in this is injustice and unfairness in our system," Cooper told the newspaper. Cooper said his Web site should be operating by Tuesday. As a drug officer, Cooper said, he made more than 800 drug arrests and seized more than 50 vehicles and $500,000 in cash and assets. "He was even better than he says he was," said Tom Finley, Cooper's former boss on a West Texas drug task force and now a private investigator in Midland. "He was probably the best narcotics officer in the state and maybe the country during his time with the task force." News of the video has angered authorities, including Richard Sanders, an agent with the Tyler Drug Enforcement Agency. Sanders said he plans to investigate whether the video violates any laws. "It outrages me personally as I'm sure it does any officer that has sworn an oath to uphold the laws of this state, and nation," Sanders said. "It is clear that his whole deal is to make money and he has found some sort of scheme, but for him to go to the dark side and do this is infuriating." Smith County Deputy Constable Mark Waters, a narcotics officer, said the video is insulting to law enforcement officials. "This is a slap in the face to all that we do to uphold the laws and keep the public safe," he said.
We have more small time dealers of Pot in jail now than ever before, and more Cops think the same way this guys does. I know that because most of the ones I talk to here and in other parts of the country think the low level Pot dealers are wasting their time and our money busting these guys.
We should be busting the hard drug dealers, Cocaine, Heroin.
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 12-22-2006).]
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07:06 AM
PFF
System Bot
cjgable Member
Posts: 1198 From: Fort Worth, Tx, USA Registered: Dec 2001
MSN is reporting on a new hybrid strand that "matures in 2 months" and is "herbicide and cold hardy". That will increase profits. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16311450/
[This message has been edited by cjgable (edited 12-22-2006).]
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09:55 AM
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
MSN is reporting on a new hybrid strand that "matures in 2 months" and is "pesticide and cold hardy". That will increase profits. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16311450/
YAY! Winter Weed! coniferous cannibas? mmmmm
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10:01 AM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
MSN is reporting on a new hybrid strand that "matures in 2 months" and is "pesticide and cold hardy". That will increase profits. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16311450/
"matures in 2 months"? You mean like all of the other marijuana strains?
It doesn't say "cold hardy" in that article at all. Considering this is Mexico, I don't think they have to worry about cold.
This just sounds like propoganda... "Oh no, it's everywhere and can't be killed! Somebody do something before it's too late!" And I don't buy the "herbicide resistance". As if they really have to pull up the plants by the roots.... They're the military. Can you say agent orange?
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11:48 AM
cjgable Member
Posts: 1198 From: Fort Worth, Tx, USA Registered: Dec 2001
I am no expert but I think it takes more than 2 months to mature in an outdoor environment.
It does get cold in Mexico. You are thinking of altitudes closer to sea level. Get up in the higher altitudes and it is cooler, especially at night. This is probably closer to where it is being grown because it is harder to get to.
When they mention it can be grown year round, to me, that indicates cold hardy. I don't live where it gets much below freezing very often, so to me cold-hardy may have a different meaning.
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12:28 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by ryan.hess: This just sounds like propoganda... "Oh no, it's everywhere and can't be killed! Somebody do something before it's too late!" And I don't buy the "herbicide resistance". As if they really have to pull up the plants by the roots.... They're the military. Can you say agent orange?
Maybe they crossed it with Kudzu. You can't kill that crap - it'll eventually swallow up the planet.
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12:39 PM
Phaeton Member
Posts: 1437 From: Interior Alaska Registered: Dec 1999
I don't have the temperment to sell weed, but I have technical experience in helping others grow. Fairbanks area population including two military bases is 70,000. More than 25 commercial grow operations that I am aware of. 20 to 140 plants per operation. Most growers get 8 to 12 ounces per plant. Some get 16 to 20 ounces. All are indoor. Three months to mature, two months to bud. Small town, limited customers. Multiply this by the larger population in the continental US with better growing conditions (-40 outside temps here) and it is big business. That 1/4 pound/year per every man woman and child is not a bad number unless it is too low. Actual indoor growing costs (labor at $15.00/hour) is about $50.00 per ounce, quantity sales (pound or better) is $200/ounce. Costs would be lower in warmer climates, but from reports I have from visitors from the states the prices are similar for buying. I suspect nonsmokers do not realize the extent of consumption.
As an aside for hard core smokers. That -40 weather allows for butane extraction of 90 percent pure THC. A handmade electric pipe is necesarry as the stuff is extremely flammable. At that level pot is a drug and is not something that most can operate machinery on after a single hit. The memeory is so affected that panic attacks happen because the user cannot remember drawing his last breath and thinks he's suffocating. It was two years ago that an ounce and a half of extract was collected. Still have a half ounce left as it is so far away from a bud buzz that most don't care to smoke it other than as an occasional novelty.
Cute thread but so what if corn or wheat or pot make more money, doubt it will change anyone's habits.