Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
On Tuesday, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts legalized adult-use marijuana. This is not old news and was to be expected, considering the quasi-legal status in which we existed previously. Yet, with any loosening of the leash of regulation comes adjustment. One adjustment many are potentially examining is the opportunity for capabilities outside of traditional marijuana consumption. Plain marijuana is no longer the option, and many want to capitalize.
Denver-based Dixie Brands is perhaps the first to look to national expansion with its marijuana-based products, as outlined in a New York Times article Wednesday. The article pointed out that 28 states now permit marijuana consumption to some extent, widening the possibility of a nationwide business. Dixie Brands specializes in bottled beverages that contain components of marijuana, as well as candies, bath soaks and mints. Though the article explained that most of the company's revenue is generated in Colorado, the possibility of expansion after Tuesday is now most definitely plausible.
Intelligently, Dixie Brands is actually separating itself from the handling of the product itself, thus setting a precedent that could be replicated wherever adult marijuana use is legal. Then, the "state-based partner will own the marijuana itself and employ the personnel who work with the marijuana in any form: plants, concentrates, finished products and the like," the article stated. By doing so, Dixie Brands shields itself from constantly changing regulation.
However ingenious their business practices, the question of the ethics behind THC-infused carbonated beverages is inevitable. The packaging of Dixie Brands products is well-designed, visually appealing and not at all resembling anything marijuana-like. While it makes marijuana products far more marketable, the risks are obvious. For anyone unsure of the contents of a "Relief Balm," and without clear demarcation, the mix-up is bound to happen. The drinks, in particular, resemble any average soft drink, leading a young child to grab one from the fridge without thinking.
Another risk of Dixie products versus typical consumption of marijuana comes from a lack of aroma. The distinct marijuana smell is what alerts many of its consumption, but eliminating it without eliminating its effects is potentially problematic. Take a routine traffic stop, for example. Most officers would easily be able to smell marijuana, unless consumed alternatively. In that regard, they would only see a reckless driver, not smelling of alcohol or marijuana, but still behaving erratically.
Yet the risk of an accidental consumption is far outweighed by the economic benefits of Dixie Brands' potential. Children have a myriad of illicit products at their fingertips, including alcoholic beverages in the fridge and cleaning products under the sink. It is the responsibility of parents to be mindful of what their children put in their mouth, and adding products laced with THC is really not changing the game all that much.
Honing the idea of alternatives makes the prospect of high-end marijuana products very plausible. Dixie Brands could just be the beginning, paving the way for expensive and discreet consumption of the substance. By appealing to more demographics, more revenue is generated, and more can be achieved.
The legalization of alternatives like Dixie Brands have the potential to generate massive amounts of revenue for small towns, as evidenced by Aurora, Colorado. Aurora has used $1.5 million of revenue generated by marijuana sales to ameliorate its relationship with homelessness.
If we maintain an open mind to marijuana and its alternatives, like Dixie Brands, Roxbury or Dorchester could be the next Aurora. Certainly marijuana alternatives come with a risk, but so does everything else.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Alternatives Are Economically Beneficial, Not Dangerous
Author: Staff
Contact: (617) 236-4433
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Daily Free Press
Denver-based Dixie Brands is perhaps the first to look to national expansion with its marijuana-based products, as outlined in a New York Times article Wednesday. The article pointed out that 28 states now permit marijuana consumption to some extent, widening the possibility of a nationwide business. Dixie Brands specializes in bottled beverages that contain components of marijuana, as well as candies, bath soaks and mints. Though the article explained that most of the company's revenue is generated in Colorado, the possibility of expansion after Tuesday is now most definitely plausible.
Intelligently, Dixie Brands is actually separating itself from the handling of the product itself, thus setting a precedent that could be replicated wherever adult marijuana use is legal. Then, the "state-based partner will own the marijuana itself and employ the personnel who work with the marijuana in any form: plants, concentrates, finished products and the like," the article stated. By doing so, Dixie Brands shields itself from constantly changing regulation.
However ingenious their business practices, the question of the ethics behind THC-infused carbonated beverages is inevitable. The packaging of Dixie Brands products is well-designed, visually appealing and not at all resembling anything marijuana-like. While it makes marijuana products far more marketable, the risks are obvious. For anyone unsure of the contents of a "Relief Balm," and without clear demarcation, the mix-up is bound to happen. The drinks, in particular, resemble any average soft drink, leading a young child to grab one from the fridge without thinking.
Another risk of Dixie products versus typical consumption of marijuana comes from a lack of aroma. The distinct marijuana smell is what alerts many of its consumption, but eliminating it without eliminating its effects is potentially problematic. Take a routine traffic stop, for example. Most officers would easily be able to smell marijuana, unless consumed alternatively. In that regard, they would only see a reckless driver, not smelling of alcohol or marijuana, but still behaving erratically.
Yet the risk of an accidental consumption is far outweighed by the economic benefits of Dixie Brands' potential. Children have a myriad of illicit products at their fingertips, including alcoholic beverages in the fridge and cleaning products under the sink. It is the responsibility of parents to be mindful of what their children put in their mouth, and adding products laced with THC is really not changing the game all that much.
Honing the idea of alternatives makes the prospect of high-end marijuana products very plausible. Dixie Brands could just be the beginning, paving the way for expensive and discreet consumption of the substance. By appealing to more demographics, more revenue is generated, and more can be achieved.
The legalization of alternatives like Dixie Brands have the potential to generate massive amounts of revenue for small towns, as evidenced by Aurora, Colorado. Aurora has used $1.5 million of revenue generated by marijuana sales to ameliorate its relationship with homelessness.
If we maintain an open mind to marijuana and its alternatives, like Dixie Brands, Roxbury or Dorchester could be the next Aurora. Certainly marijuana alternatives come with a risk, but so does everything else.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Alternatives Are Economically Beneficial, Not Dangerous
Author: Staff
Contact: (617) 236-4433
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Daily Free Press
