Reader: Retail marijuana sellers can't make money -- in Colorado

Yesterday, we wrote about Eli Traufield, whose past link to a medical marijuana dispensary didn't prevent him from being arrested for possessing 61 pounds of pot. The debate that followed took interesting turns, with one reader maintaining that the Colorado system encourages black market sales rather than squelching them...

By Michael Roberts

August 13, 2013

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Yesterday, we wrote about Eli Traufield, whose past link to a medical marijuana dispensary didn't prevent him from being arrested for possessing 61 pounds of pot. The debate that followed took interesting turns, with one reader maintaining that the Colorado system encourages black market sales rather than squelching them.

WillieStortz writes:

There is no money in selling retail pot in Colorado. The real money is shipping it out of state where the stoners will pay top dollar.

Yea tax evasion.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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