Podcast Summary
New trends in podcasting and retail industries: Stay informed and adaptable to new developments, from podcasting's incognito mode to NYC's cannabis boom and prioritizing pets' health with The Farmer's Dog.
The world is constantly evolving, and new trends are emerging in various industries. For instance, in the world of podcasting, Search Engine has recently introduced a premium feed called incognito mode, which has gained significant support from listeners. Meanwhile, in the physical world, particularly in New York City, the cannabis industry is experiencing a boom, with weed shops popping up everywhere, offering a range of products from flower to edibles. These changes, whether in podcasting or retail, highlight the importance of staying informed and adaptable to new developments. In terms of pet care, investing in a fresh and healthy diet for dogs, such as the offerings from The Farmer's Dog, can lead to numerous benefits, including improved coat and skin, better breath, easier digestion, and smaller, better poops. By prioritizing our pets' health, we can enjoy more quality time with them.
Thousands of unregulated weed stores thrive in New York City: Despite weed being legal in NYC, most stores operate illegally, run by inexperienced workers, raising questions about regulation and unintended consequences.
Despite weed being legal in New York City since 2021, the majority of weed stores on the streets are operating illegally. Thousands of these shops exist, and they're run by people with little to no expertise or experience in the industry. The workers, like the young man in the store with the spray painted images, often get their jobs through connections. The stores themselves are often unregulated, with no clear information given to employees about the legality of their operations. This situation raises questions about how these stores have managed to thrive in a city known for its strict regulations. It's part of a larger story about the challenges of legalizing weed and the unintended consequences that can arise. Willie Mack, a cannabis industry veteran and advocate, shares his perspective on the issue and the emotional impact of these illegal stores.
Cannabis prohibition rooted in racism and cultural fear: Historically, cannabis prohibition was driven by racism and fear, leading to disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities through mass incarceration and stigma.
The history of cannabis prohibition in the United States is deeply rooted in racism and cultural fear, particularly towards the jazz scene and interracial relationships in the early 1900s. This led to the renaming of cannabis as "marijuana" and the creation of scare tactics to target and criminalize the use of the plant, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities. The severe drug laws, such as those enacted by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller in the 1970s, were a response to this perceived threat, and the resulting mass incarceration and stigma continue to impact the legalization and social acceptance of cannabis today.
The war on drugs targeted specific groups and counterculture movements: The war on drugs was not just about addiction or crime, but also about politics and cultural shifts, targeting certain communities and using drugs as a tool for social control
The war on drugs, as initiated by Nelson Rockefeller and continued by the Nixon administration, focused not just on addiction or crime, but also on targeting specific groups and counterculture movements. Rockefeller advocated for harsh sentences for drug dealers, while the Nixon White House used the drug war as a tool to criminalize certain communities. Meanwhile, individuals' experiences with cannabis, such as Willie's, challenged the perception of drugs as inherently bad and led to a growing awareness of the potential benefits of certain substances. This complex history shows the interplay of politics, personal experiences, and cultural shifts in shaping our understanding of drugs and their impact on society.
Cannabis Arrest Capital: New York: During the late 90s to mid 2000s, New York saw over 350,000 cannabis possession arrests, a 1000% increase from the previous decade.
Despite the cultural shift towards more lenient views on cannabis use in America, enforcement against cannabis possession remained strict, particularly in New York, which became the cannabis arrest capital of the country. This is evidenced by the over 350,000 arrests for cannabis possession between the late 90s and mid 2000s, an increase of over 1000% from the decade prior. Alex Norman, a former weed dealer, shared his story of running a profitable delivery service during this time, which eventually led to his arrest in 2005 when he tried to expand his operation by growing his own cannabis. Despite the negative portrayals of weed dealers in the media, Alex saw himself as neither a ruthless criminal nor a desperate victim, but simply someone who saw an opportunity. His experience highlights the harsh realities of cannabis prohibition and the lengths people went to in order to supply the demand.
Shifting Legal Landscape for Marijuana and Businesses: Some states are legalizing marijuana and making amends for past convictions, while others continue to criminalize it. Businesses can adapt by using integrated systems like NetSuite to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The legal landscape for marijuana is shifting, with some states moving towards legalization and trying to make amends with past convictions, while others continue to consider it a criminal offense. This was exemplified by the experiences of Alex, who managed to avoid getting caught while selling weed in New York despite still being considered a criminal by the state, and Willie Mac, who moved to California on the cusp of recreational legalization and helped businesses transition from the underground market to the legal industry. Meanwhile, smart businesses are also making the shift towards integrated systems like NetSuite to reduce costs and improve efficiency. For example, California's attempt to build the weed market with the same people who had been arrested during prohibition did not go smoothly and served as a warning to other states. Overall, these shifts highlight the evolving nature of laws and industries and the importance of staying informed and adaptable. Regarding the product mentions, Aura frames offer a solution for those struggling to find the perfect Mother's Day gift, providing a beautiful and convenient way to display digital photos. NetSuite, on the other hand, is a cloud financial system that helps businesses reduce costs and improve efficiency by consolidating various business processes into one platform.
Transitioning to a legal marijuana market brings unique challenges: Entrepreneurs entering legal marijuana industry faced obstacles like limited access to banking, unfamiliarity with modern business practices, and high operational costs.
The transition from an illegal marijuana market to a legal one presented numerous challenges for those entering the new industry. These challenges included a lack of access to traditional banking and financial services, making it difficult to secure the large amounts of capital needed to start and run a legal business. Furthermore, the legacy dealers, who had run their businesses under the table for years, were unfamiliar with modern business practices such as email, calendaring, and other digital tools. This created inefficiencies and made it difficult for these entrepreneurs to adapt to the new business landscape. Additionally, the inability to deduct expenses besides the cost of goods for marijuana production made these businesses extremely cash-intensive and expensive to operate. The state's issuance of licenses without adequate business support only compounded these challenges, leading to a high risk of failure for many.
California's Legal Marijuana Market Faced Challenges: Despite California's efforts to create a legal marijuana market, financial and operational hurdles, along with competition from the black market, led to its failure to compete with illegal sellers and achieve its goals.
California's attempt to create a legal marijuana market faced significant challenges, including competition from the black market, lack of access to capital for new business owners, and opportunistic investors taking advantage of financially unsophisticated operators. These issues combined led to the failure of many businesses and the continued dominance of the black market. The legacy dealers, who had operated during prohibition, found it difficult to transition to the legal market due to financial and operational challenges. The black market continued to thrive due to the high cost of regulated weed and the fact that many counties opted out of allowing legal stores. This created a situation where the illegal market was able to undercut the prices of the legal businesses, making it difficult for them to compete. Overall, California's ambitious plan to address the wrongs of the recent past by creating a legal marijuana market faced significant obstacles and ultimately failed to achieve its goals.
The shadow of cannabis' past on its present industry: Despite the new global cannabis market, its past of harsh punishments and exclusion casts a long shadow. Activists work to make the industry more equitable and include marginalized communities.
The legalization of cannabis has led to the creation of a new global market, but the industry's past, which includes harsh punishments and exclusion of marginalized communities, casts a long shadow. The commercialization of cannabis, as exemplified by companies like MedMen, has been criticized for lacking reparations and inclusivity. However, activists like Willie Mack and CJ Wallace are using the industry as an opportunity to make a difference and ensure that those who have been historically marginalized have a seat at the table. As New York legalizes cannabis, there's a renewed hope for change and a chance to shape the industry in a more equitable way.
New York activists' stronger position due to historical events and political circumstances: Despite disagreements over tax revenue use, New York passed a more equity-focused legal weed bill due to political landscape changes following sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The activists in New York, who had been promised an equity-focused legal weed industry, found themselves in a stronger position than their counterparts in California due to historical events and political circumstances. In February 2020, New York's Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples Stokes introduced a bill that aimed to provide licenses and resources to people who had been adversely affected by the war on drugs. Her bill required licensees to be majority owners in their businesses and provided them with capital. However, there was a disagreement between Stokes and Governor Cuomo over how the tax revenue from cannabis sales should be used. While Stokes wanted 40% of it to go towards rebuilding over-policed neighborhoods, Cuomo was more interested in using it for the state's general fund. The political landscape changed when Cuomo faced sexual harassment allegations and the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leading to a unified legislature and the passing of a more equity-focused bill.
New York's Marijuana Legalization: Tragedy and Comedy: New York's rush to legalize marijuana led to unintended consequences, including a loss of tax revenue and a thriving illegal market. Careful planning and regulation are crucial for successful implementation.
New York's legalization of recreational marijuana in 2021 was met with excitement, but the implementation has led to unintended consequences. The proliferation of illegal weed shops has created a staggering tax loss for the state and choked the legal market. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to address the issue. The story of New York's marijuana legalization and the subsequent chaos is an extraordinary one, full of tragedy and comedy. It serves as a reminder that even the most ambitious projects can face unexpected obstacles. The situation in New York is a warning for other states considering marijuana legalization, highlighting the importance of careful planning and regulation.
Meet the Team Behind 'Search Engine': Discover the dedicated team behind 'Search Engine', including JD Crowley, Rob Mirandi, Craig Cox, Eric Donnelly, Kate Hutchison, Matt Casey, Maura Curran, Josephina Francis, Kurt Courtney, and Hillary Sheff. Follow and listen for free on Odysee or your favorite podcast platform.
Key takeaway from this podcast episode is the introduction of the team behind the production of "Search Engine." This includes JD Crowley, Rob Mirandi, Craig Cox, Eric Donnelly, Kate Hutchison, Matt Casey, Maura Curran, Josephina Francis, Kurt Courtney, and Hillary Sheff. The team's dedication and hard work are evident in the creation of this engaging and thought-provoking podcast. Additionally, listeners are encouraged to follow and listen to "Search Engine" for free on the Odysee app or wherever they get their podcasts. A reminder was given that the rest of the story will be continued next week. Orin Rosenbaum at UTA represents the show. Overall, this episode highlights the collaborative effort required to produce high-quality content and the importance of staying tuned for more.
