RE:RE:RE:$10 per gram in Ontario!I've never seen a govt involved item that has ever lowered over time.
OK I'm an older dude growing up in the 80s. Back then, you could get a half quad (3.5 grams) for 25-30. Ounces 175-200. Here we are almost 30 years later and the prices have barely increased. Name anything that has flatlined in price over a 30 year period. I certainly can't think of anything.
New smokers won't know this price history, but older smokers will. If I was in control I would do everything to get as close to street price as possible, preferably beating it. Not much tax rev for the govt? Too bad, they should think longterm and give themselves the best chance of crippling the black market. Then a few years in they can start edging up the prices.
Now I know the above won't happen because the govt wants their cut now, but that is looking at the short term play.
The govt wants to encourage moderation but the reality is, a lot of smokers are daily puffers. I think this fact is a great thing for legalization. If you are a daily smoker, have at it and buy from the LPs.
But if you smoke an ounce a month and have stable connections for 200-220 bucks an ounce but the gov is going to charge you 280, which will you choose? An ounce may sound like a lot, but it's basically a gram a day. Believe me, there are a lot of gram a day smokers out there, and I want the LPs to have all their business.
Tl;Dr undercut the black market now, reap the benefits later.