Caution: Weed is still illegal

I want to get into the cannabis delivery and distribution business. Any tips?

—Wee D. Livery

Be careful. It’s kinda rough out there. One might think that running a cannabis delivery service would be easy-peasy, especially since people living in cities and counties that don’t allow brick-and-mortar dispensaries love getting weed delivered. However, many cities are cracking down on delivery services, I guess because common sense is harder to find than good weed.

But yeah. Go ahead. We need more good delivery services. Check the Bureau of Cannabis Control website for good info, get your money and your crew and your insurance together, and have at it. And I know I said this before, but: Be. Careful. The California Highway Patrol is going after delivery services and especially distribution companies. Just last month, the CHP detained a truck from Wild Rivers Transport, a licensed distribution company. Instead of releasing the drivers and the legal contents of the truck, the CHP called on the Department of Homeland Security to impound the truck and its contents. No charges were filed. Pot is still illegal under federal law, so the Department of Homeland Security (and the Drug Enforcement Administration) can pretty much do what they want. And if the CHP is working with the Feds to get around state law and continue to harass law-abiding citizens, asset forfeiture is gonna skyrocket. Good luck.

What’s the best way to figure out how my cannabis was grown?

—Praven Nonce

Um, ask the grower? Find the brand on Instagram? As cannabis becomes more and more like the fancy booze industry, it should become easier to find out where and when and how your weed was grown. I live in California, so it is easy for me to find out the provenance of my pot. Hell, the fancier companies love to tell you that their bud was grown deep in the heart of Mendocino County, under the watchful eye of an ancient and venerable hippy farmer who only visits the big city when it’s time to buy new shoes. But when you visit places where weed is still prohibited, like Nashville, they have good weed but no one knows or admits to knowing where it is grown or even what sort of strain they have. Just a few years ago out on the West Coast, there were a bunch of “farmers market” style cannabis events where cannabis users could visit different booths and get a chance to talk to the growers to learn about their techniques and ingredients. Sadly, farmers markets are no longer allowed in the new “legalization” era, although there are definitely a few underground farmers markets, especially in Sacramento. However, Gov. Jerry Brown did just sign a law allowing for smaller scale cannabis events where legal growers can hawk their wares, so maybe in a few more months or years, we will once again be able to have legal farmers markets, and cannabis users will find it easier to learn about the cannabis they consume.