Pass it to the left!

Recreational marijuana is making its way into the mainstream and vendors will soon be selling it online.  Now that Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana, digital marketing startup THC Group is now marketing domain names, web development and consulting services to prospective cannabis businesses.  Founder of the THC Media Group Noel Abbott says even though it’s against US law it’s worth the risk to help businesses get started in saying, “I think to a lot of people, they believe it’s worth the risk.” Abbott went on to say that, “The companies who have responsible branding and advertising are the ones who will ultimately succeed.”  So is the legalization of recreational marijuana the next big business in the United States, or is it a risky business that will result in trouble for these businesses?

 

The numbers support the cause for the federal government to end the prohibition on recreational marijuana, when it comes to the finical benefits and when it comes to the support of US Citizens.  It was reported that it would save the federal government $8.7 billion in law enforcement cost and add annual tax revenues of another $8.7 billion.  So, the cost factors are there in supporting the legalization of marijuana but what do the American people have to say about it?  Well, according to a Pew survey that was conducted in March 2013; 52% of American adults say that recreational marijuana should be made legal.  So with the numbers financially and popularly trending toward approval, what is the US government going to do?  It also appears that recreational marijuana is going to get a “mean green” ahead from the US government as well.   In August, US Deputy Attorney General James Cole issued a memorandum instructing the federal prosecutors to let states regulate the sale of recreational marijuana. 

So the stage is set for marijuana to be “passed to the left” starting in Colorado in 2014 as they begin accepting applications for vendors to sell the “sticky icky”.  Now the question becomes, how do these vendors remain responsible for promoting marijuana?  These companies must need to follow the same set of ethics as do tobacco and alcohol companies, as Washington and Colorado prepare to set the ground work for other states to follow in the legalization, regulation, and commercialization of marijuana.  Just as any industry starting up, this one also has the chance at setting the right impression in the market place and in the opinion of the American people.  As Noel Abbott suggested, “There’s a huge risk of people not putting very much thought into it and having the industry be seen as an unsavory or a detriment to society of people are marketing their products irresponsibly”.  Abbott went onto say, “Cannabis is still a drug and you have to treat it like one if you’re going to be promoting your business.”  As the ground work is being laid for businesses to begin the online marketing and selling of marijuana, is the risk of getting “high” more detrimental to the businesses or to the people, only time will tell.

Citation: http://mashable.com/2013/10/11/marketing-legal-marijuana/