Get High--Save the Economy!

Ever since the Justice Department announced it would no longer raid medical marijuana dispensaries, the stores have been growing like weeds. 14 states have medical marijuana laws on the books.

Colorado now has over 60 stores from less than two dozen in January. The ganjapreneurs are advertising in local papers. And other budding businesses are thriving alongside them.

As Mark Van Grack, owner of Hapa Sushi in Boulder says :

If you're going to smoke pot, you're going to get the munchies, so come to Hapa to eat.

In July, 80% of the voters in Oakland, CA passed a law taxing medical marijuana dispensaries at the behest of one of their biggest ganjapreneurs.

"It is important because the city of Oakland is facing a massive deficit like many jurisdictions in California, said Steve DeAngelo, a leader of one of the city's cannabis clubs. "And we decided to step up to the plate and make a contribution to the city in a time of need."

DeAngelo, one of the people who led the effort to get the tax approved, said his business will now have to pay more than $350,000 from the new tax next year.

Legalizing the plant may alter side effects of illegal marijuana activity such as cutting into the profits of the Mexican drug cartels. Didn't that happen after Prohibition?

Not all side effects of the medical marijuana business are known. But add-on businesses and greater tax revenue can ease a lot of pain.