RE:I love battling the PR firms "...that the black market can sell you stuff that's 3x more potent for 3x less money."
I see where you are going with this and agree the black market will always exist just like some bootleggers remained after the end of prohibition. There are some damn good growers out there that will always maintain their clientele. Although Imo you are painting some very wide strokes in your assessment.
Yes, the BM 'can' sell to those that want rare and ridiculously potent ganja but that is just one of many types of consumers. The market has just now opened up to the whole CAD population. law abiding citizens are now starting to partake bc they 'can'. I have read many heavy consumer comments about moving to legal due to intrigue, access, and (some) quality. Let's not forget many people have the bank to pay the premium without blinking. I do believe an equilibrium will be found but will still favour the legal side where the true money can be found. Law enforcement still needs things to do and the pressure from legal cannabis lobbying I'm sure is being felt. You're also telling me as the noose tightens on the bm there won't be consolidation there too? Come on now.
you also mention 3x potency and 3xcost. Although hard to debate the cost, I will say that gap has started to narrow as producers optimized costs and production....(cough..ahem... $Fire). The quality is there in legal although one needs to seek it out in-between all the garbage. More quality is coming as lp's finally realized growing good cannabis at scale ain't easy but required. Supreme nailed this from the start thanks to John Fowler. The controlled greenhouse, compartmentalized 10k sq ft grow rooms, and staff that took pride in their grow culminated into some great consistent cannabis from 7AC. Beena mentioned two more 7AC strains coming which will be very good. One will be the return of their delicious wappa.
I would debate on average bm cannabis is certainly not 3x more potent. I have consumed bm for yrs and have seen that advantage fade. as new quality genetics arrive to legal that gap will shrink. Legal also realizing it's not just THC and CBD #s. Terpene #s are crucial and some would debate even more important then the THC CBD craze. JF and now Beena know this. Have u not opened a jack haze? Wowza. Anyways 3x is not realistic and will only collapse more in time.
We also cannot count out the CAD government finally loosening the leash at some point either. Revisiting taxation, marketing restrictions, supply chain deficiencies, and other changes would only create a more competitive edge for legal. Imagine if the insane taxes were brought to a reasonable rate. What that would do for the lp's books and $ for consumers...changes will be made by the feds but who knows what, when, and how.
just my .02 cents this Sunday am.