One of the consistent message from the prohibitionist group “Smart” Approaches to Marijuana is that there is a dark and seedy menace waiting around the corner and working in the shadows to enact legalized commercial cannabis sales: Big Marijuana!!!
The fact they think this is driving legalization markets is laughable; the first legalized markets were enacted by grassroots organizations getting initiatives on the ballot and the people voting it in. In Colorado, more people voted for cannabis legalization than they did for President Obama.
SAM even went to far as to create an “industry” profile showing how existing large corporations are investing in other corporations.
Looking at the list, it was clearly obvious that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel to make a mountain out of a mole hill. The vast majority of investments are happening in other countries, like Canada and Israel. They really seem like chicken little screaming the sky is falling over what is normal business practices.
As with any industry, there will be large players and small players. Corporations will always exist and will seek to generate more money; which is the point of any business. They key is to make sure these are regulated. While the states have created a patchwork of laws, we can learn from our experience with “big tobacco” and create sensible laws allowing a safe and regulated supply of cannabis to adults.