OPINION: The green gold rush

During our next federal election don’t be surprised to see the face and hear the music of legendary reggae performer, Bob Marley.

Regardless of more serious, pressing matters, one recurring theme concerns the legal use of Mr. Marley’s favourite herb – marijuana.
Justin Trudeau wants to legalize the stuff as in many parts of the world including the United States, of all places.
Stephen Harper accuses Mr. Trudeau of selling pot to school kids while he himself facilitates the sale of up to 2 billion worth of medical marijuana in Canada.

If events unfold as planned the prime minister may be the proud recipient of millions in tax dollars gained from the sale of Bob Marley’s special blend.

The process is already underway.

Privateer Holdings is a private U.S. equity firm that invests in the rapidly expanding cannabis industry.

They recently paid $50 million to the family and estate of the late reggae star in exchange for the rights to the Bob Marley name and image.

For the next 30 years he will be the international icon for a new global brand of marijuana – Marley Natural.

Once the advertisers get hold of this, his face will be as famous as the camel on a pack of Camels or possibly that guy on the cover of a pack of Zig-Zags.

Marley Natural offers the finest Jamaican heirloom cannabis strains, including those enjoyed by the musician himself.

The company expects to start shipping its products next year – headquarters is in New York City but products may be grown and distributed locally, where allowed.

They plan to operate within the law in countries where the use of marijuana is tolerated and in some cases is being openly marketed.
Twenty-three American states already have some form of decriminalization and four allow recreational use.

Here in Canada we are still wrangling with the issue and any serious discussion has been sidetracked by political posturing.

Privateer Holdings knows how much money can be made and that’s why this venture is sometimes called the green gold rush.

And in spite of his natural instincts, the economist in Stephen Harper will drool over the potential revenue as he jumps on the cannabis bandwagon.

Bob Marley’s family is very happy to promote Marley Natural as a contribution to the musician’s global legacy and favours its enlightened business model.

Marley’s pot will promote social change and environmental responsibility while it builds a professional, responsible and legal cannabis industry worldwide.

These are nice thoughts but let’s not kid ourselves – the legalization and sale of marijuana is largely motivated by greed.

What do you call money that grows on trees – some people call it cannabusiness and it is growing at a rate that rivals the tech industry.

Privateer Holdings estimates that the global sales of pot, largely illegal, amount to between $150 billion and $200 billion dollars per year.

That amounts to huge corporate profits for investors and a steady flow of tax dollars into government coffers, including Mr. Harper’s.
It might ease his conscience to know he is not supplying weed to hippies, stoners and 40-year-olds smoking up in their mother’s basement.

Recreational marijuana use is popular but occasional tokers, even serious ones, do not spend enough to make this venture commercially viable – not counting the sale of munchies.

The real money is in medicinal marijuana and clinical trials are now underway to confirm that Marley Natural has many curative and restorative properties.

Stand by Stephen Harper – one day, Canadian pot smokers may see you in the same light and with the same reverence as Bob Marley and the Zig-Zag guy.