Question

In: Economics

Respond to the following questions: a) Describe the evolution of the marijuana industry (in Colorado); What...

Respond to the following questions: a) Describe the evolution of the marijuana industry (in Colorado); What are the conditions that now explain an oligopolistic industry structure? b) What are the “welfare” (as discussed in Mankiw) implications of this industry structure? c) What are the public policies toward this industry/market? In your opinion, are they appropriate or inappropriate? Are there other policies in relation to oligopolies that should be implemented?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Answer: -

Evolution of the marijuana industry in Colorado:

When Colorado became a state, in 1876, both hemp and cannabis were legal — and they stayed that way for decades. In March 1917, Colorado legislators made the use and cultivation of cannabis a misdemeanor. But in 1929, when the Colorado Legislature passed a law making the sale, possession and distribution of marijuana a felony in Colorado, minorities were clearly the focus of the measure. By the 1960s, The hippies had arrived. The newspapers were full of stories about hippies busted with marijuana plants in their backyard and columns that made it clear that their authors thought hippies deserved to rot in jail over possession of a plant.

The cannabis climate had clearly become more friendly by 1973, when legislator Michael Strange, a Carbondale Republican, introduced the first re-legalization effort in Colorado history. And in 1975, the Colorado Legislature followed suit, decriminalizing possession, transportation and private use of marijuana; possessing up to an ounce of the stuff was made a petty offense, with a maximum fine of $100. Colorado's first medical marijuana bill dubbed the "Dangerous Drugs Therapeutic Research Act," was introduced in 1979 and signed into law.

In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, allowing the use and cultivation (and sale, some argue) of medical marijuana. In 2012, Colorado voters passed Amendment 64, making it legal to grow, consume and sell cannabis. Colorado was one of the first states to legalize cannabis.

Oligopolistic industry structure:

Colorado and Washington permit the production, sale, and consumption of recreational marijuana and 18 states say the sale of marijuana for medical use is okay. But meanwhile, “federal law prohibits the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana.”

There are multiple marijuana markets in the United States. They even have marijuana arbitrageurs. Cheap in California and expensive in NY, the marijuana that is grown for medicinal use on the West coast can be sold in the East for a handsome profit.

If a less competitive oligopolistic market develops, several large firms would have disproportionate power. Targeting potentially heavy marijuana users, they could encourage excessive and unhealthy consumption.

Public policies:

The issue of regulation is important. On the supply side, quality and safety need to be assured. Labeling needs to be accurate. For marijuana, we are not only talking about a smokable plant but also products like ice cream, candies, brownies and lozenges.

Colorado and Washington have been wrestling with the size of a sales tax. Too high and you could get a black market. Too low, and not enough revenue.

Bottom line: Because market structures create incentives for sellers and buyers, legislators can shape the impact of legalized marijuana.


Related Solutions

Describe the evolution of the marijuana industry (in Colorado); What are the conditions that now explain...
Describe the evolution of the marijuana industry (in Colorado); What are the conditions that now explain an oligopolistic industry structure?   What are the “welfare” implications of this industry structure? What are the public policies toward this industry/market? In your opinion, are they appropriate or inappropriate? Are there other policies in relation to oligopolies that should be implemented?
Briefly describe the different methods that Washington and Colorado used to achieve marijuana legalization. Which of...
Briefly describe the different methods that Washington and Colorado used to achieve marijuana legalization. Which of these two do you find most effective?  
What are the conflicts that legalized marijuana use in Colorado cause in the workplace between Human...
What are the conflicts that legalized marijuana use in Colorado cause in the workplace between Human Resources and employees?
Review the website: A Culture of Health, and respond to the following questions for discussion: Describe...
Review the website: A Culture of Health, and respond to the following questions for discussion: Describe how culture can affect both the focus and design of health promotion and health education efforts in the Hispanic/Latino populations. Identify and give specific examples of traditional health beliefs and practices related to the cultural backgrounds of the many different subgroups of Hispanic/Latino Americans. What are the predominant causes of morbidity and mortality in the Hispanic/Latino population?
Respond to all of the following questions in your posting for this week: Describe the characteristics...
Respond to all of the following questions in your posting for this week: Describe the characteristics of the F distribution. Provide examples. What are we testing when we test for two population variances? Explain your answer and provide an example. What are the assumptions of an ANOVA, and when would you use an ANOVA?
Marijuana is legal in California. It's also legal in Colorado. It's not legal at the federal...
Marijuana is legal in California. It's also legal in Colorado. It's not legal at the federal level. Assume that a party in Colorado wants to buy some marijuana from a party in California. They enter into a purchase contract for a ton of California's finest. At some point a dispute arises over the contract and one party decides to take the other party to federal court under diversity jurisdiction. How will the court proceed/decide?
Instructions: Consider any product or service, describe it, and respond to the following questions regarding it....
Instructions: Consider any product or service, describe it, and respond to the following questions regarding it. Find what integrated marketing communication methods are being used by the marketers of that product/service. Summarize 3 main IMC methods including 1 that must specifically be a form of advertising. Are these effective, in your opinion? If yes, justify and explain. If not recommend what IMC should implement instead. Describe the role of either personal selling or sales promotion in relation to this product/service....
3) Why is the new law allowing the sale of marijuana in Colorado so controversial? 4)...
3) Why is the new law allowing the sale of marijuana in Colorado so controversial? 4) Why are the surrounding states suing the state of Colorado? 5) What are the short-term and the long-term effects of smoking marijuana 3-7 times per week for 3 years or more? ..... cognition/memory; male sexual reproduction; motivation Search entries or author
In the Marijuana Industry, what will be the productive efficiency product amont? Draw and explain why?
In the Marijuana Industry, what will be the productive efficiency product amont? Draw and explain why?
Respond to the following questions in your discussion forum post: Describe one of the new superbugs...
Respond to the following questions in your discussion forum post: Describe one of the new superbugs such as CRE, MRSA, Clostridium difficile, etc. that are causing havoc in our health care facilities. What strategies are being employed to combat these new threats to our public health? Note: Initial answers to the discussion question have to be substantive and in the range of 250 to 400 words. At least 2 references used should be listed. Initial discussion question responses are due...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT