Tag Archives: marijuana

(Mostly) All You Need To Know About The Marijuana Market

June 26, 2023 The Silo Leave a comment

With legal ‘weed’ readily available from licensed dispensaries in Canada, more states to the South of us are legalizing marijuana for use in America and as such, the demand is increasing.

A good example is Colorado.

The state opened the first regulated recreational marijuana market in the world. A 2014 study also showed that 30% of the heaviest “pot” users in Colorado were responsible for 87% of the demand for the drug. Judging from these stats, we can see that the demand for marijuana is steadily rising as it is becoming accepted and legalized in more places around the world.
The marijuana market is getting bigger by the day as Americans spend roughly $40 USD billion annually on legal and illegal marijuana. There is so much more to these impressive figures and the rest of this article and info-graphic will discuss these factors. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Legalization

Typically, only two countries in the world allow the recreational use of marijuana – Uruguay and Canada. Although marijuana is still illegal under federal law in the United States, there are state laws that make it legal to consume under certain conditions. Marijuana is legal in 12 states for recreational use, and in 33 states for medical use. In the states where marijuana is legalized for medical use, there are licensed dispensaries that distribute it. These states restrict the number of dispensaries and they are usually non-profits. If we take into consideration the fact that the majority of Americans (62%) support legalizing marijuana, we can surely expect even more states to adopt new marijuana-friendly laws. As the public learns more about proven marijuana benefits, the support increases.

Sales and Demand

The rising demand for marijuana keeps driving it to record high sales as 55 million people use marijuana regularly. Studies show that by the end of 2022, recreational marijuana sales in the U.S are projected to more than triple.
The average price per ounce of marijuana differs in the U.S by state and it may vary greatly. For example, the District of Columbia has the highest price at $600.7 USD per ounce while Oregon’s price is $210.6 USD for the same quantity. Also, research shows that the cannabis market is projected to grow at a rate of 21% per year.

Employment

With the escalating demand, there is a corresponding rise in the need for greater production, and the industry provides jobs and opportunities for investments. People with degrees in pharmacology, botany, and chemistry can be very beneficial in the industry. As for the salaries, the starting pay is $40,000 for growers and pharmacologists.
The three factors above paint a clear picture of the state of the marijuana market. It is very lucrative and expected to keep thriving.

Politics

Cost Of Marijuana In 120 Cities And How Much Tax Revenue If Legalized

January 21, 2021 The Silo 4 Comments

First a few quick facts….

● ‏Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis‏ ‏, at 32.66 USD per gram. ‏

● ‏Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive marijuana‏ ‏, at 1.34 USD per gram.‏

● ‏Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, ‏ ‏New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalizing weed‏ ‏, with 156.40 million USD per year. New York City also has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.‏

● ‏Cannabis costs ‏ ‏$7.82 per gram in Toronto, Canada‏ ‏. ‏

‏Berlin, Germany – ‏ ‏Automatic cultivator device, ‏ ‏Seedo‏ ‏, after much research and data gathering, previously released the 2018 Cannabis Price Index, detailing the cost of marijuana in 120 global cities. Seedo is one of the many new ventures embracing the newly legalized cannabis industry. Their main goal is to allow both medicinal and recreational consumers to grow their own supply, avoiding extra taxes and bypassing harmful pesticides. The aim of this study is to illustrate the continuous need for legislative reform on cannabis use around the world, and to determine if there are any lessons to be learned from those cities at the forefront of marijuana legalisation.

‏Although Seedo’s technology enables smokers to get off the grid, this study considers one of the biggest byproducts of legalising cannabis—the potential tax revenue for the local government body. For this reason, Seedo decided not only to research the cost of cannabis around the world, but also to calculate how much potential tax a city could generate if they were to legalise marijuana. ‏

‏The study began first by selecting 120 cities across the world, including locations where cannabis is currently legal, illegal and partially legal, and where marijuana consumption data is available. Then, they looked into the price of weed per gram in each city. To calculate how much potential tax a city could make by legalising weed, Seedo investigated how much tax is paid on the most popular brand of cigarettes, as this offers the closest comparison. They then looked at what percentage marijuana is currently taxed in cities where it’s already legalised in the US. ‏

‏“This study has revealed some incredible insights into the kind of tax revenue that legalising weed could generate.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take New York City for instance, which has the highest consumption level in the study at 77.44 metric tons of cannabis per year. If they taxed marijuana at the average US cannabis tax level, the city could make $‏ ‏156.4‏ ‏ million in potential tax revenue per year. This is equivalent to providing nearly 3 months worth of free school meals to every single public school kid in New York City.” ‏

‏The table below reveals a sample of the results for ‏ ‏Toronto, Canada‏ ‏:‏

‏City‏	‏Legality‏	‏Price per gram, US$‏	‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$‏	‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$‏	‏Total consumption in metric tons‏
‏Toronto‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.82‏	‏124.15‏	‏33.38‏	‏22.75‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 most and least expensive cities for cannabis‏ ‏:‏

‏Top 10 Most Expensive Cities‏					‏Top 10 Least Expensive Cities‏
‏#‏	‏City‏	‏Country‏	‏Legality‏	‏Price per gram, US$‏	‏#‏	‏City‏	‏Country‏	‏Legality‏	‏Price per gram, US$‏
‏1‏	‏Tokyo‏	‏Japan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏32.66‏	‏1‏	‏Quito‏	‏Ecuador‏	‏Partial‏	‏1.34‏
‏2‏	‏Seoul‏	‏South Korea‏	‏Illegal‏	‏32.44‏	‏2‏	‏Bogota‏	‏Colombia‏	‏Partial‏	‏2.20‏
‏3‏	‏Kyoto‏	‏Japan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏29.65‏	‏3‏	‏Asuncion‏	‏Paraguay‏	‏Partial‏	‏2.22‏
‏4‏	‏Hong Kong‏	‏China‏	‏Illegal‏	‏27.48‏	‏4‏	‏Jakarta‏	‏Indonesia‏	‏Illegal‏	‏3.79‏
‏5‏	‏Bangkok‏	‏Thailand‏	‏Partial‏	‏24.81‏	‏5‏	‏Panama City‏	‏Panama‏	‏Illegal‏	‏3.85‏
‏6‏	‏Dublin‏	‏Ireland‏	‏Illegal‏	‏21.63‏	‏6‏	‏Johannesburg‏	‏South Africa‏	‏Illegal‏	‏4.01‏
‏7‏	‏Tallinn‏	‏Estonia‏	‏Partial‏	‏20.98‏	‏7‏	‏Montevideo‏	‏Uruguay‏	‏Legal‏	‏4.15‏
‏8‏	‏Shanghai‏	‏China‏	‏Illegal‏	‏20.82‏	‏8‏	‏Astana‏	‏Kazakhstan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏4.22‏
‏9‏	‏Beijing‏	‏China‏	‏Illegal‏	‏20.52‏	‏9‏	‏Antwerp‏	‏Belgium‏	‏Partial‏	‏4.29‏
‏10‏	‏Oslo‏	‏Norway‏	‏Partial‏	‏19.14‏	‏10‏	‏New Delhi‏	‏India‏	‏Partial‏	‏4.38‏

‏N.B. These tables are a sample of the full results. To find the complete results for all 120 cities, please see the bottom of the press release. ‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax ‏ ‏by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the same rate as the most popular cigarette brand:‏

‏#‏	‏City‏	‏Country‏	‏Legality‏	‏Price per gram, US$‏	‏% of cigarette tax‏	‏Possible tax revenue, mil US$ ‏
‏1‏	‏Cairo‏	‏Egypt‏	‏Illegal‏	‏16.15‏	‏73.13‏	‏384.87‏
‏2‏	‏New York‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.76‏	‏42.54‏	‏354.48‏
‏3‏	‏London‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.20‏	‏82.16‏	‏237.35‏
‏4‏	‏Sydney‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.79‏	‏56.76‏	‏138.36‏
‏5‏	‏Karachi‏	‏Pakistan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏5.32‏	‏60.7‏	‏135.48‏
‏6‏	‏Melbourne‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.84‏	‏56.76‏	‏132.75‏
‏7‏	‏Moscow‏	‏Russia‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.84‏	‏47.63‏	‏128.97‏
‏8‏	‏Toronto‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.82‏	‏69.8‏	‏124.15‏
‏9‏	‏Chicago‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.46‏	‏42.54‏	‏119.61‏
‏10‏	‏Berlin‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏13.53‏	‏72.9‏	‏114.77‏

‏N.B. % of cigarette tax refers to the tax percentage on the most popular brand. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at cigarette level. For a full explanation of how the study was conducted, please see the methodology at the bottom of the press release. ‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax‏ ‏ by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the average US marijuana tax rate:‏

‏#‏	‏City‏	‏Country‏	‏Legality‏	‏Price per gram, US$‏	‏Possible tax revenue, mil US$‏
‏1‏	‏New York‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.76‏	‏156.4‏
‏2‏	‏Cairo‏	‏Egypt‏	‏Illegal‏	‏16.15‏	‏98.78‏
‏3‏	‏London‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.20‏	‏54.22‏
‏4‏	‏Chicago‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.46‏	‏52.77‏
‏5‏	‏Moscow‏	‏Russia‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.84‏	‏50.82‏
‏6‏	‏Sydney‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.79‏	‏45.75‏
‏7‏	‏Melbourne‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.84‏	‏43.9‏
‏8‏	‏Karachi‏	‏Pakistan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏5.32‏	‏41.89‏
‏9‏	‏Houston‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.03‏	‏39.32‏
‏10‏	‏Toronto‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.82‏	‏33.38‏

‏N.B. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at average US marijuana tax rate.‏

‏The table below shows the‏ ‏ top 10 cities with the highest and lowest consumption of cannabis, ‏ ‏per year:‏

‏Highest Consumers of Cannabis‏

‏ Lowest Consumers of Cannabis‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total consumption, metric tons‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total consumption, metric tons‏

‏1‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏77.44‏

‏1‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Illegal‏

‏14.01‏

‏0.02‏

‏2‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏41.95‏

‏2‏

‏Santo Domingo‏

‏Dominican Rep.‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.93‏

‏0.16‏

‏3‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏38.26‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏0.24‏

‏4‏

‏Los Angeles‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏8.14‏

‏36.06‏

‏4‏

‏Thessaloniki‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.49‏

‏0.29‏

‏5‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏32.59‏

‏5‏

‏Luxembourg City‏

‏Luxembourg‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.26‏

‏0.32‏

‏6‏

‏Mumbai‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.57‏

‏32.38‏

‏6‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏0.37‏

‏7‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏31.4‏

‏7‏

‏Reykjavik‏

‏Iceland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.92‏

‏0.44‏

‏8‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏24.54‏

‏8‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏0.46‏

‏9‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏22.87‏

‏9‏

‏Colombo‏

‏Sri Lanka‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.12‏

‏0.59‏

‏10‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏22.75‏

‏10‏

‏Manila‏

‏Philippines‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.24‏

‏0.6‏

‏N.B. Total consumption is calculated per annum. ‏

‏Additional quotes:‏

‏“The way that the legalised cannabis industry is rapidly evolving alongside new technologies shows how innovative emerging tech companies are today.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take the way that cannabis and cryptocurrency have joined forces, with ‏ ‏examples such as HempCoin or nezly, which manage processes and payments in the new marijuana industry.‏ ‏ When you consider too the potential that these new technologies have to disrupt the cannabis industry, there’s no denying that these are very exciting times.” ‏

‏“At Seedo, we’ve built technology that helps regular smokers to grow cannabis plants of the utmost quality from the comfort of their own home, avoiding pesticides and taking ownership of their personal supply.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “We believe that by understanding the cost of weed around the world, we can help to educate smokers about the potential financial benefits of hydroponic growing technology.” ‏

‏“That illegal cannabis use is so high in countries that still carry the death penalty, such as Pakistan and Egypt, those in power ought to see how desperately new legislation is needed.” comments Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “By removing the criminal element from marijuana, governments will then able to more safely regulate production, take away power from underground gangs, and as we’ve shown in this study, generate huge tax revenues.”‏

‏Further findings:‏

● ‏New York City, USA has the highest consumption rate of cannabis‏ ‏, at 77.44 metric tons per year.‏

● ‏Boston, USA has the most expensive cannabis of all the cities where it’s legal‏ ‏, at 11.01 USD, while Montevideo, Uruguay has the least expensive at 4.15 USD. ‏

● ‏While Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis of all cities where it’s illegal, at 32.66 USD, ‏ ‏Jakarta, Indonesia has the least expensive at 3.79 USD, despite being classed as a Group 1 drug with harsh sentences such as life imprisonment and the death penalty.‏ ‏ ‏

● ‏For cities where cannabis is partially legal, Bangkok, Thailand has the most expensive at 24.81 USD, while Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive at 1.34 USD. ‏

● ‏Bulgaria has the highest tax rates for the most popular brand of cigarettes, at 82.65%, while Paraguay has the lowest, with rates of 16%. ‏

● ‏Cairo, Egypt would gain the most revenue in tax if they were to legalise cannabis‏ ‏ and tax it as the same rate as cigarettes, at 384.87 million USD. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.14 million USD, due in part to the city’s low consumption of marijuana at 0.02 metric tons per annum.‏

● ‏Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented,‏ ‏ New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalising weed, with 156.4 million USD per year‏ ‏. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.04 million USD

‏About “Seedo”‏ ‏: Seedo is a fully automated hydroponic growing device which lets you grow your own medicinal herbs and vegetables from the comfort of your own home. Seedo controls and monitors the growing process, from seed to plant, while providing optimal lab conditions to assure premium quality produce year-round. Seedo’s goal is to simplify the growing process, making it accessible for everyone, without compromising on quality. ‏

‏The full results of the 2018 Cannabis Price Index:‏

‏#‏	‏City‏	‏Country‏	‏Legality‏	‏Price per gram, US$‏	‏Taxes of cigarettes, % of the most sold brand‏	‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$‏	‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$‏	‏Total Consumption in metric tons‏
‏1‏	‏Tokyo‏	‏Japan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏32.66‏	‏64.36‏	‏32.14‏	‏9.37‏	‏1.53‏
‏2‏	‏Seoul‏	‏South Korea‏	‏Illegal‏	‏32.44‏	‏61.99‏	‏31.61‏	‏9.57‏	‏1.57‏
‏3‏	‏Kyoto‏	‏Japan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏29.65‏	‏64.36‏	‏4.64‏	‏1.35‏	‏0.24‏
‏4‏	‏Hong Kong‏	‏China‏	‏Illegal‏	‏27.48‏	‏44.43‏	‏19.72‏	‏8.33‏	‏1.62‏
‏5‏	‏Bangkok‏	‏Thailand‏	‏Partial‏	‏24.81‏	‏73.13‏	‏99.11‏	‏25.44‏	‏5.46‏
‏6‏	‏Dublin‏	‏Ireland‏	‏Illegal‏	‏21.63‏	‏77.80‏	‏29.31‏	‏7.07‏	‏1.74‏
‏7‏	‏Tallinn‏	‏Estonia‏	‏Partial‏	‏20.98‏	‏77.24‏	‏22.13‏	‏5.38‏	‏1.37‏
‏8‏	‏Shanghai‏	‏China‏	‏Illegal‏	‏20.82‏	‏44.43‏	‏49.12‏	‏20.75‏	‏5.31‏
‏9‏	‏Beijing‏	‏China‏	‏Illegal‏	‏20.52‏	‏44.43‏	‏43.10‏	‏18.21‏	‏4.73‏
‏10‏	‏Oslo‏	‏Norway‏	‏Partial‏	‏19.14‏	‏68.83‏	‏19.28‏	‏5.26‏	‏1.46‏
‏11‏	‏Washington, DC‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏18.08‏	‏42.54‏	‏47.51‏	‏20.96‏	‏6.18‏
‏12‏	‏Cairo‏	‏Egypt‏	‏Illegal‏	‏16.15‏	‏73.13‏	‏384.87‏	‏98.78‏	‏32.59‏
‏13‏	‏Reykjavik‏	‏Iceland‏	‏Illegal‏	‏15.92‏	‏56.40‏	‏3.97‏	‏1.32‏	‏0.44‏
‏14‏	‏Belfast‏	‏Ireland‏	‏Illegal‏	‏15.81‏	‏77.80‏	‏13.55‏	‏3.27‏	‏1.10‏
‏15‏	‏Minsk‏	‏Belarus‏	‏Illegal‏	‏15.80‏	‏51.15‏	‏9.08‏	‏3.33‏	‏1.12‏
‏16‏	‏Athens‏	‏Greece‏	‏Partial‏	‏14.95‏	‏79.95‏	‏7.42‏	‏1.74‏	‏0.62‏
‏17‏	‏Auckland‏	‏New Zealand‏	‏Partial‏	‏14.77‏	‏77.34‏	‏106.03‏	‏25.73‏	‏9.28‏
‏18‏	‏Munich‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏14.56‏	‏72.90‏	‏50.90‏	‏13.10‏	‏4.80‏
‏19‏	‏Helsinki‏	‏Finland‏	‏Partial‏	‏14.42‏	‏81.53‏	‏27.12‏	‏6.24‏	‏2.31‏
‏20‏	‏Singapore‏	‏Singapore‏	‏Illegal‏	‏14.01‏	‏66.23‏	‏0.14‏	‏0.04‏	‏0.02‏
‏21‏	‏Berlin‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏13.53‏	‏72.90‏	‏114.77‏	‏29.55‏	‏11.64‏
‏22‏	‏Stuttgart‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏13.50‏	‏72.90‏	‏20.20‏	‏5.20‏	‏2.05‏
‏23‏	‏Thessaloniki‏	‏Greece‏	‏Partial‏	‏13.49‏	‏79.95‏	‏3.17‏	‏0.75‏	‏0.29‏
‏24‏	‏Stockholm‏	‏Sweden‏	‏Illegal‏	‏13.20‏	‏68.84‏	‏15.06‏	‏4.11‏	‏1.66‏
‏25‏	‏Vienna‏	‏Austria‏	‏Partial‏	‏12.87‏	‏74.00‏	‏59.21‏	‏15.02‏	‏6.22‏
‏26‏	‏Copenhagen‏	‏Denmark‏	‏Partial‏	‏12.47‏	‏74.75‏	‏20.65‏	‏5.18‏	‏2.22‏
‏27‏	‏Moscow‏	‏Russia‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.84‏	‏47.63‏	‏128.97‏	‏50.82‏	‏22.87‏
‏28‏	‏Hamburg‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.64‏	‏72.90‏	‏50.16‏	‏12.92‏	‏5.91‏
‏29‏	‏Chicago‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.46‏	‏42.54‏	‏119.61‏	‏52.77‏	‏24.54‏
‏30‏	‏Philadelphia‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.30‏	‏42.54‏	‏68.37‏	‏30.16‏	‏14.22‏
‏31‏	‏Bucharest‏	‏Romania‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.18‏	‏75.41‏	‏17.23‏	‏4.29‏	‏2.04‏
‏32‏	‏Cologne‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.14‏	‏72.90‏	‏28.51‏	‏7.34‏	‏3.51‏
‏33‏	‏Geneva‏	‏Switzerland‏	‏Partial‏	‏11.12‏	‏61.20‏	‏5.90‏	‏1.81‏	‏0.87‏
‏34‏	‏Boston‏	‏USA‏	‏Legal‏	‏11.01‏	‏42.54‏	‏28.59‏	‏12.61‏	‏6.10‏
‏35‏	‏Adelaide‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.91‏	‏56.76‏	‏41.60‏	‏13.75‏	‏6.72‏
‏36‏	‏Istanbul‏	‏Turkey‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.87‏	‏82.13‏	‏21.79‏	‏4.98‏	‏2.44‏
‏37‏	‏Melbourne‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.84‏	‏56.76‏	‏132.75‏	‏43.90‏	‏21.58‏
‏38‏	‏Sydney‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.79‏	‏56.76‏	‏138.36‏	‏45.75‏	‏22.59‏
‏39‏	‏New York‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.76‏	‏42.54‏	‏354.48‏	‏156.40‏	‏77.44‏
‏40‏	‏Düsseldorf‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.70‏	‏72.90‏	‏15.82‏	‏4.07‏	‏2.03‏
‏41‏	‏Brisbane‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.63‏	‏56.76‏	‏66.88‏	‏22.12‏	‏11.09‏
‏42‏	‏Hanover‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.51‏	‏72.90‏	‏13.46‏	‏3.47‏	‏1.76‏
‏43‏	‏Prague‏	‏Czech Rep.‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.47‏	‏77.42‏	‏63.95‏	‏15.50‏	‏7.89‏
‏44‏	‏Frankfurt‏	‏Germany‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.29‏	‏72.90‏	‏18.06‏	‏4.65‏	‏2.41‏
‏45‏	‏Wellington‏	‏New Zealand‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.11‏	‏77.34‏	‏19.53‏	‏4.74‏	‏2.50‏
‏46‏	‏Dallas‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.03‏	‏42.54‏	‏51.01‏	‏22.50‏	‏11.95‏
‏47‏	‏Houston‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏10.03‏	‏42.54‏	‏89.13‏	‏39.32‏	‏20.89‏
‏48‏	‏Vilnius‏	‏Lithuania‏	‏Illegal‏	‏10.00‏	‏75.76‏	‏5.20‏	‏1.29‏	‏0.69‏
‏49‏	‏Zurich‏	‏Switzerland‏	‏Partial‏	‏9.71‏	‏61.20‏	‏10.33‏	‏3.17‏	‏1.74‏
‏50‏	‏Montpellier‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.70‏	‏80.30‏	‏12.21‏	‏2.85‏	‏1.57‏
‏51‏	‏Canberra‏	‏Australia‏	‏Partial‏	‏9.65‏	‏56.76‏	‏10.96‏	‏3.63‏	‏2.00‏
‏52‏	‏Zagreb‏	‏Croatia‏	‏Partial‏	‏9.43‏	‏75.26‏	‏24.35‏	‏6.07‏	‏3.43‏
‏53‏	‏Nice‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.40‏	‏80.30‏	‏15.80‏	‏3.69‏	‏2.09‏
‏54‏	‏Phoenix‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏9.35‏	‏42.54‏	‏58.26‏	‏25.71‏	‏14.65‏
‏55‏	‏Paris‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.30‏	‏80.30‏	‏102.25‏	‏23.90‏	‏13.69‏
‏56‏	‏Miami‏	‏USA‏	‏Partial‏	‏9.27‏	‏42.54‏	‏16.24‏	‏7.16‏	‏4.12‏
‏57‏	‏San Francisco‏	‏USA‏	‏Legal‏	‏9.27‏	‏42.54‏	‏30.94‏	‏13.65‏	‏7.85‏
‏58‏	‏London‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.20‏	‏82.16‏	‏237.35‏	‏54.22‏	‏31.40‏
‏59‏	‏Colombo‏	‏Sri Lanka‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.12‏	‏73.78‏	‏3.98‏	‏1.01‏	‏0.59‏
‏60‏	‏Riga‏	‏Latvia‏	‏Illegal‏	‏9.00‏	‏76.89‏	‏10.23‏	‏2.50‏	‏1.48‏
‏61‏	‏Bratislava‏	‏Slovakia‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.92‏	‏81.54‏	‏7.24‏	‏1.67‏	‏1.00‏
‏62‏	‏Milan‏	‏Italy‏	‏Partial‏	‏8.85‏	‏75.68‏	‏46.06‏	‏11.42‏	‏6.88‏
‏63‏	‏Varna‏	‏Bulgaria‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.83‏	‏82.65‏	‏4.84‏	‏1.10‏	‏0.66‏
‏64‏	‏Marseille‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.69‏	‏80.30‏	‏36.23‏	‏8.47‏	‏5.19‏
‏65‏	‏Glasgow‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.65‏	‏82.16‏	‏15.21‏	‏3.47‏	‏2.14‏
‏66‏	‏Toulouse‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.62‏	‏80.30‏	‏18.67‏	‏4.36‏	‏2.70‏
‏67‏	‏Birmingham‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.58‏	‏82.16‏	‏27.73‏	‏6.34‏	‏3.93‏
‏68‏	‏Kuala Lumpur‏	‏Malaysia‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.54‏	‏55.36‏	‏6.61‏	‏2.24‏	‏1.40‏
‏69‏	‏Monterrey‏	‏Mexico‏	‏Partial‏	‏8.45‏	‏65.87‏	‏4.17‏	‏1.19‏	‏0.75‏
‏70‏	‏Edinburgh‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.41‏	‏82.16‏	‏12.22‏	‏2.79‏	‏1.77‏
‏71‏	‏Lisbon‏	‏Portugal‏	‏Partial‏	‏8.36‏	‏74.51‏	‏4.69‏	‏1.18‏	‏0.75‏
‏72‏	‏Strasbourg‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.35‏	‏80.30‏	‏11.13‏	‏2.60‏	‏1.66‏
‏73‏	‏Warsaw‏	‏Poland‏	‏Partial‏	‏8.31‏	‏80.29‏	‏29.27‏	‏6.84‏	‏4.39‏
‏74‏	‏Lyon‏	‏France‏	‏Illegal‏	‏8.20‏	‏80.30‏	‏19.45‏	‏4.55‏	‏2.95‏
‏75‏	‏Los Angeles‏	‏USA‏	‏Legal‏	‏8.14‏	‏42.54‏	‏124.88‏	‏55.10‏	‏36.06‏
‏76‏	‏Liverpool‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏7.94‏	‏82.16‏	‏10.86‏	‏2.48‏	‏1.67‏
‏77‏	‏Amsterdam‏	‏Netherlands‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.89‏	‏73.40‏	‏20.94‏	‏5.35‏	‏3.61‏
‏78‏	‏Manchester‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏7.88‏	‏82.16‏	‏58.99‏	‏13.48‏	‏9.11‏
‏79‏	‏Rome‏	‏Italy‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.86‏	‏75.68‏	‏88.16‏	‏21.86‏	‏14.82‏
‏80‏	‏Toronto‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.82‏	‏69.80‏	‏124.15‏	‏33.38‏	‏22.75‏
‏81‏	‏Denver‏	‏USA‏	‏Legal‏	‏7.79‏	‏42.54‏	‏20.53‏	‏9.06‏	‏6.20‏
‏82‏	‏Naples‏	‏Italy‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.75‏	‏75.68‏	‏29.82‏	‏7.40‏	‏5.08‏
‏83‏	‏Leeds‏	‏UK‏	‏Illegal‏	‏7.67‏	‏82.16‏	‏16.93‏	‏3.87‏	‏2.69‏
‏84‏	‏Seattle‏	‏USA‏	‏Legal‏	‏7.58‏	‏42.54‏	‏20.59‏	‏9.08‏	‏6.39‏
‏85‏	‏Madrid‏	‏Spain‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.47‏	‏78.09‏	‏93.40‏	‏22.45‏	‏16.01‏
‏86‏	‏Calgary‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.30‏	‏69.80‏	‏52.23‏	‏14.05‏	‏10.25‏
‏87‏	‏Luxembourg City‏	‏Luxembourg‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.26‏	‏70.24‏	‏1.62‏	‏0.43‏	‏0.32‏
‏88‏	‏San Jose‏	‏Costa Rica‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.23‏	‏69.76‏	‏7.84‏	‏2.11‏	‏1.56‏
‏89‏	‏Buenos Aires‏	‏Argentina‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.13‏	‏69.84‏	‏25.32‏	‏6.81‏	‏5.09‏
‏90‏	‏Brussels‏	‏Belgium‏	‏Partial‏	‏7.09‏	‏75.92‏	‏15.50‏	‏3.83‏	‏2.88‏
‏91‏	‏Santo Domingo‏	‏Dominican Rep.‏	‏Illegal‏	‏6.93‏	‏58.87‏	‏0.67‏	‏0.21‏	‏0.16‏
‏92‏	‏Graz‏	‏Austria‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.84‏	‏74.00‏	‏4.81‏	‏1.22‏	‏0.95‏
‏93‏	‏Budapest‏	‏Hungary‏	‏Illegal‏	‏6.74‏	‏77.26‏	‏7.70‏	‏1.87‏	‏1.48‏
‏94‏	‏Sofia‏	‏Bulgaria‏	‏Illegal‏	‏6.66‏	‏82.65‏	‏12.83‏	‏2.91‏	‏2.33‏
‏95‏	‏Ottawa‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.62‏	‏69.80‏	‏35.43‏	‏9.53‏	‏7.67‏
‏96‏	‏Vancouver‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.40‏	‏69.80‏	‏23.44‏	‏6.30‏	‏5.25‏
‏97‏	‏Sao Paulo‏	‏Brazil‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.38‏	‏64.94‏	‏68.55‏	‏19.81‏	‏16.55‏
‏98‏	‏Rotterdam‏	‏Netherlands‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.33‏	‏73.40‏	‏12.75‏	‏3.26‏	‏2.74‏
‏99‏	‏Ljubljana‏	‏Slovenia‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.32‏	‏80.41‏	‏3.43‏	‏0.80‏	‏0.67‏
‏100‏	‏Barcelona‏	‏Spain‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.23‏	‏78.09‏	‏39.59‏	‏9.51‏	‏8.14‏
‏101‏	‏Montreal‏	‏Canada‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.15‏	‏69.80‏	‏60.52‏	‏16.27‏	‏14.10‏
‏102‏	‏Kiev‏	‏Ukraine‏	‏Partial‏	‏6.00‏	‏74.78‏	‏14.73‏	‏3.70‏	‏3.28‏
‏103‏	‏Abuja‏	‏Nigeria‏	‏Illegal‏	‏5.88‏	‏20.63‏	‏7.40‏	‏6.73‏	‏6.10‏
‏104‏	‏Lima‏	‏Peru‏	‏Partial‏	‏5.88‏	‏37.83‏	‏12.28‏	‏6.09‏	‏5.52‏
‏105‏	‏Mexico City‏	‏Mexico‏	‏Partial‏	‏5.87‏	‏65.87‏	‏22.58‏	‏6.43‏	‏5.84‏
‏106‏	‏Cape Town‏	‏South Africa‏	‏Illegal‏	‏5.82‏	‏48.80‏	‏2.47‏	‏0.95‏	‏0.87‏
‏107‏	‏Karachi‏	‏Pakistan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏5.32‏	‏60.70‏	‏135.48‏	‏41.89‏	‏41.95‏
‏108‏	‏Manila‏	‏Philippines‏	‏Illegal‏	‏5.24‏	‏74.27‏	‏2.32‏	‏0.59‏	‏0.60‏
‏109‏	‏Rio de Janeiro‏	‏Brazil‏	‏Partial‏	‏5.11‏	‏64.94‏	‏28.82‏	‏8.33‏	‏8.69‏
‏110‏	‏Mumbai‏	‏India‏	‏Partial‏	‏4.57‏	‏60.39‏	‏89.38‏	‏27.78‏	‏32.38‏
‏111‏	‏New Delhi‏	‏India‏	‏Partial‏	‏4.38‏	‏60.39‏	‏101.20‏	‏31.45‏	‏38.26‏
‏112‏	‏Antwerp‏	‏Belgium‏	‏Partial‏	‏4.29‏	‏75.92‏	‏4.10‏	‏1.01‏	‏1.26‏
‏113‏	‏Astana‏	‏Kazakhstan‏	‏Illegal‏	‏4.22‏	‏39.29‏	‏1.78‏	‏0.85‏	‏1.07‏
‏114‏	‏Montevideo‏	‏Uruguay‏	‏Legal‏	‏4.15‏	‏66.75‏	‏19.54‏	‏5.50‏	‏7.06‏
‏115‏	‏Johannesburg‏	‏South Africa‏	‏Illegal‏	‏4.01‏	‏48.80‏	‏3.76‏	‏1.45‏	‏1.92‏
‏116‏	‏Panama City‏	‏Panama‏	‏Illegal‏	‏3.85‏	‏56.52‏	‏0.81‏	‏0.27‏	‏0.37‏
‏117‏	‏Jakarta‏	‏Indonesia‏	‏Illegal‏	‏3.79‏	‏53.40‏	‏1.92‏	‏0.68‏	‏0.95‏
‏118‏	‏Asuncion‏	‏Paraguay‏	‏Partial‏	‏2.22‏	‏16.00‏	‏0.16‏	‏0.19‏	‏0.46‏
‏119‏	‏Bogota‏	‏Colombia‏	‏Partial‏	‏2.20‏	‏49.44‏	‏15.80‏	‏6.00‏	‏14.53‏
‏120‏	‏Quito‏	‏Ecuador‏	‏Partial‏	‏1.34‏	‏70.39‏	‏0.56‏	‏0.15‏	‏0.60‏

‏Methodology‏

‏Selection of the cities:‏

‏To select the cities for the study, Seedo first looked at the top and bottom cannabis consuming countries around the world. Then they analysed nations where marijuana is partially or completely legal, as well as illegal, and selected the final list of 120 cities in order to best offer a representative comparison of the global cannabis price. ‏

‏Data:‏

● ‏Price per gram, US$ ‏ ‏- Crowdsourced city-level surveys adjusted to World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.‏

● ‏Taxes on Cigarettes, % of the most sold brand‏ ‏ – Taxes as a percentage of the retail price of the most sold brand (total tax). ‏ ‏Source‏ ‏: Appendix 2 of the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015.‏

● ‏Annual possible tax collection is calculated in the following way: ‏

● ‏Total_Possible_Tax=Population_City*Prevalence*Avg_Consumption_year_gr*price*tax_level, where:‏

● ‏Population: latest available local population data sources.‏

● ‏Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime‏

● ‏Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year). ‏

● ‏Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint. ‏

● ‏One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010). ‏

● ‏The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.‏

● ‏Total Consumption in Tons‏

● ‏Consumption=Population*Prevalence*Consumption_year_gr‏

● ‏Population: latest available local population data sources.‏

● ‏Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). ‏ ‏Source‏ ‏: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime‏

● ‏Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).‏

● ‏Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint. ‏

● ‏One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010). ‏

● ‏The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday. ‏

● ‏US tax level ‏ ‏- Average tax level in the states of US where weed is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Includes retail sales taxes, state taxes, local taxes and excise taxes.‏

● ‏Legality‏

○ ‏Legal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is legal.‏

○ ‏Illegal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is illegal.‏

○ ‏Partial, if ‏

■ ‏Possession of small amounts is decriminalised (criminal penalties lessened, fines and regulated permits may still apply)‏

■ ‏OR medicinal use legal‏

■ ‏OR possession is legal, selling illegal‏

■ ‏OR scientific use legal‏

■ ‏OR usage allowed in restricted areas (e.g. homes or coffee shops)‏

■ ‏OR local laws may apply to legality (e.g. illegal at federal level, legal at state level)‏

‏First quote: Based on New York City Council’s free lunch initiative which began in September 2017, with 1.1 million public school children, at a cost of $1.75 per child per day.‏

Culture

The Benefits Of CBD Oil On Anxiety And Depression

March 2, 2020 The Silo 1 Comment

Life certainly has its challenges. Stress can arise from work, friends, and relationships — daily life can feel overwhelming at times. When you suffer from anxiety or depression (or both), living a happy, stress-free life can sometimes feel nearly impossible.

Perhaps you’re looking for a natural way to take the edge off. There are pharmaceutical anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications out there, but long-term use can be negative on the body and many benzodiazepines contain addictive qualities that you might want to avoid.

Instead of pills, consider using an alternative and natural method. Recreational cannabidioil, better known as CBD oil, is one of over 100 chemical compounds known cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.

CBD does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component found in the plant (so it doesn’t make you high), and research has found that it can be calming and alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.

The socially conscious cannabis brand Blissed is a company that believes in offering the authentic cannabis experience to individuals who need a break. It’s based entirely on the power of wellness and community, and they’re committed to giving 10% of all profits to organizations and causes that make a positive impact on society.

The company products using cannabis, including those made from CBD oil, as well as 1:1 oils for those looking to ease into using THC.

Take a look at how using CBD oil recreationally can help reduce your anxiety symptoms.

What Exactly Is CBD Oil?

CBD is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients in the cannabis plant. It’s an essential component of medical marijuana, however, it’s derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the actual marijuana plant. While CBD is a component of marijuana, it doesn’t produce a “high” feeling on its own.

According to a recent study conducted by the World Health Organization, humans don’t show signs of negative effects or dependence when using CBD oil. To date, there has been no evidence of public health-related issues associated with the use of pure CBD.

Relief from Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders that can feel debilitating. We all have various stressors in our lives, and we all handle things differently. Sometimes we just want a little reprieve — a pause where we can sit down at the end of a long day, chill out, and show ourselves some love and compassion.

Of course, there are pharmaceutical drugs to take but these are often not a sustainable long-term method. There can be harmful side effects such as drowsiness, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, addiction, and more.

CBD oil has shown strong promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety, leading many who live with these afflictions to become interested in this natural approach to coping with anxiety and depression.

It amps up dopamine and serotonin levels naturally, so you can enjoy feeling good without having to worry about the comedown as you would from other types of chemical drugs or alcohol.

A study from 2010 concluded that CBD oil could reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorders (SADs). Brain scans of participants revealed changes in blood flow to the area of the brain that are linked to feelings of anxiety.

In this particular study, CBD oil made participants feel significantly better and it also changed the way their brands responded to anxiety.

At the end of a long day, what could be better than putting your feet up, opening up Netflix, and unwinding with a little CBD oil?

Treat yourself to a blissful, relaxing evening and look into how CBD oil could benefit your life today.

Culture

Study Reveals Cost Of Cannabis And Industry Growth Worldwide

April 20, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

2018 Weed Index Study reveals the cost of marijuana and highlights the number of grow and head shops in 120 cities around the world:

With a total of 156, Los Angeles, USA has the most headshops.
Madrid, Spain has the largest amount of growshops, with a total of 68.
Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis, at 32.66 USD per gram, while Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive marijuana, at 1.34 USD per gram.
Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalising weed, with 156.40 million USD per year. New York City also has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.

Berlin, Germany, 20/04/2018 – ABCD, a data-driven media campaign outlet, has released new data which reveals the number of marijuana head and growshops in 120 cities around the world. This research, which builds on the 2018 Cannabis Price Index released earlier this year, reveals which locations around the world are ready to embrace cannabis legalisation. The aim of the study is to illustrate the continuous need for legislative reform on cannabis use around the world, and to determine if there are any lessons to be learned from those cities at the forefront of marijuana legalization. By including extra data on the number of head and growshops in each city, this new research can be utilized to indicate which cities are prepared for an imminent cannabis reform, while also highlighting which cities are in opposition of marijuana legalisation.

The initial study began by selecting 120 cities across the world, including locations where cannabis is currently legal, illegal and partially legal, and where marijuana consumption data is available. Then, they looked into the price of weed per gram in each city. To calculate how much potential tax a city could make by legalising weed, ABCD investigated how much tax is paid on the most popular brand of cigarettes, as this offers the closest comparison. They then looked at what percentage marijuana is currently taxed in cities where it’s already legalised in the US.

ABCD decided to conduct the extra research in order to to further the discussion around the medical and recreational use of cannabis, and the potential industry and business opportunities that would follow legalisation. By identifying the number of headshops as well as growshops, this study serves as an indicator to a city’s existing cannabis infrastructure and willingness to accept such reform on a larger scale. As an indicating factor, the more head shops and grow shops a city has, the more positive their state’s and general public’s attitude towards the cannabis-related industry is likely to be.

The table below reveals a sample of the results for the 13 US cities featured in the study:

#	City	Legality	Price per gram, US$	Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$	Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$	Total consumption in metric tons	Headshops	Growshops
1	Washington, DC	Partial	18.08	47.51	20.96	6.18	20	8
2	Chicago	Partial	11.46	119.61	52.77	24.54	91	10
3	Philadelphia	Partial	11.30	68.37	30.16	14.22	41	3
4	Boston	Legal	11.01	28.59	12.61	6.10	49	4
5	New York	Partial	10.76	354.48	156.40	77.44	59	7
6	Dallas	Partial	10.03	51.01	22.5	11.95	80	6
7	Houston	Partial	10.03	89.13	39.32	20.89	125	14
8	Phoenix	Partial	9.35	58.26	25.71	14.65	72	9
9	Miami	Partial	9.27	16.24	7.16	4.12	67	25
10	San Francisco	Legal	9.27	30.94	13.65	7.85	61	3
11	Los Angeles	Legal	8.14	124.88	55.10	36.06	153	46
12	Denver	Legal	7.79	20.53	9.06	6.20	61	21
13	Seattle	Legal	7.58	20.59	9.08	6.39	46	10

The table below shows the top 10 most and least expensive cities for cannabis:

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities					Top 10 Least Expensive Cities
#	City	Country	Legality	Price per gram, US$	#	City	Country	Legality	Price per gram, US$
1	Tokyo	Japan	Illegal	32.66	1	Quito	Ecuador	Partial	1.34
2	Seoul	South Korea	Illegal	32.44	2	Bogota	Colombia	Partial	2.20
3	Kyoto	Japan	Illegal	29.65	3	Asuncion	Paraguay	Partial	2.22
4	Hong Kong	China	Illegal	27.48	4	Jakarta	Indonesia	Illegal	3.79
5	Bangkok	Thailand	Partial	24.81	5	Panama City	Panama	Illegal	3.85
6	Dublin	Ireland	Illegal	21.63	6	Johannesburg	South Africa	Illegal	4.01
7	Tallinn	Estonia	Partial	20.98	7	Montevideo	Uruguay	Legal	4.15
8	Shanghai	China	Illegal	20.82	8	Astana	Kazakhstan	Illegal	4.22
9	Beijing	China	Illegal	20.52	9	Antwerp	Belgium	Partial	4.29
10	Oslo	Norway	Partial	19.14	10	New Delhi	India	Partial	4.38

The table Below shows the top 10 cities with the most growshops:

#	City	Country	Legality	Growshops
1	Madrid	Spain	Partial	68
2	Buenos Aires	Argentina	Partial	48
3	Los Angeles	USA	Legal	46
4	Toronto	Canada	Partial	37
5	Melbourne	Australia	Partial	31
6	Miami	USA	Partial	25
7	London	UK	Illegal	23
8	Barcelona	Spain	Partial	23
9	Denver	USA	Legal	21
10	Berlin	Germany	Partial	20

The table Below shows the top 10 cities with the most headshops:

#	City	Country	Legality	Headshops
1	Los Angeles	USA	Legal	156
2	Houston	USA	Partial	125
3	Chicago	USA	Partial	91
4	Dallas	USA	Partial	80
5	Phoenix	USA	Partial	72
6	Miami	USA	Partial	67
7	San Francisco	USA	Legal	61
8	Denver	USA	Legal	61
9	New York	USA	Partial	59
10	Boston	USA	Legal	49

The table below shows the top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the same rate as the most popular cigarette brand:

#	City	Country	Legality	Price per gram, US$	% of cigarette tax	Possible tax revenue, mil US$
1	Cairo	Egypt	Illegal	16.15	73.13	384.87
2	New York	USA	Partial	10.76	42.54	354.48
3	London	UK	Illegal	9.20	82.16	237.35
4	Sydney	Australia	Partial	10.79	56.76	138.36
5	Karachi	Pakistan	Illegal	5.32	60.7	135.48
6	Melbourne	Australia	Partial	10.84	56.76	132.75
7	Moscow	Russia	Partial	11.84	47.63	128.97
8	Toronto	Canada	Partial	7.82	69.8	124.15
9	Chicago	USA	Partial	11.46	42.54	119.61
10	Berlin	Germany	Partial	13.53	72.9	114.77

N.B. % of cigarette tax refers to the tax percentage on the most popular brand. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at cigarette level. For a full explanation of how the study was conducted, please see the methodology at the bottom of the press release.

The table below shows the top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the average US marijuana tax rate:

#	City	Country	Legality	Price per gram, US$	Possible tax revenue, mil US$
1	New York	USA	Partial	10.76	156.4
2	Cairo	Egypt	Illegal	16.15	98.78
3	London	UK	Illegal	9.20	54.22
4	Chicago	USA	Partial	11.46	52.77
5	Moscow	Russia	Partial	11.84	50.82
6	Sydney	Australia	Partial	10.79	45.75
7	Melbourne	Australia	Partial	10.84	43.9
8	Karachi	Pakistan	Illegal	5.32	41.89
9	Houston	USA	Partial	10.03	39.32
10	Toronto	Canada	Partial	7.82	33.38

N.B. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at average US marijuana tax rate.

The table below shows the top 10 cities with the highest and lowest consumption of cannabis, per year:

Highest Consumers of Cannabis

Lowest Consumers of Cannabis

City

Country

Legality

Price per gram, US$

Total consumption, metric tons

City

Country

Legality

Price per gram, US$

Total consumption, metric tons

New York

USA

Partial

10.76

77.44

Singapore

Singapore

Illegal

14.01

0.02

Karachi

Pakistan

Illegal

5.32

41.95

Santo Domingo

Dominican Rep.

Illegal

6.93

0.16

New Delhi

India

Partial

4.38

38.26

Kyoto

Japan

Illegal

29.65

0.24

Los Angeles

USA

Legal

8.14

36.06

Thessaloniki

Greece

Partial

13.49

0.29

Cairo

Egypt

Illegal

16.15

32.59

Luxembourg City

Luxembourg

Partial

7.26

0.32

Mumbai

India

Partial

4.57

32.38

Panama City

Panama

Illegal

3.85

0.37

London

Illegal

9.20

31.4

Reykjavik

Iceland

Illegal

15.92

0.44

Chicago

USA

Partial

11.46

24.54

Asuncion

Paraguay

Partial

2.22

0.46

Moscow

Russia

Partial

11.84

22.87

Colombo

Sri Lanka

Illegal

9.12

0.59

Toronto

Canada

Partial

7.82

22.75

Manila

Philippines

Illegal

5.24

0.6

N.B. Total consumption is calculated per annum.

Further findings:

Shanghai, China has a large population of 24.15 million, has however no headshops or growshops in the city, underlining a resistance against cannabis reform.

On average, the status of legality (e.g. Legal, Partial or Illegal) coincides with the amount of headshops and growshops found in each city. The favourable the laws, the better the cannabis infrastructure
New York City, USA has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.
Boston, USA has the most expensive cannabis of all the cities where it’s legal, at 11.01 USD, while Montevideo, Uruguay has the least expensive at 4.15 USD.
While Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis of all cities where it’s illegal, at 32.66 USD, Jakarta, Indonesia has the least expensive at 3.79 USD, despite being classed as a Group 1 drug with harsh sentences such as life imprisonment and the death penalty.
For cities where cannabis is partially legal, Bangkok, Thailand has the most expensive at 24.81 USD, while Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive at 1.34 USD.
Bulgaria has the highest tax rates for the most popular brand of cigarettes, at 82.65%, while Paraguay has the lowest, with rates of 16%.
Cairo, Egypt would gain the most revenue in tax if they were to legalise cannabis and tax it as the same rate as cigarettes, at 384.87 million USD. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.14 million USD, due in part to the city’s low consumption of marijuana at 0.02 metric tons per annum.
Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalising weed, with 156.4 million USD per year. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.04 million USD.

Source for data and graphics- http://weedindex.io

The full results of the 2018 Cannabis Price Index:

#	City	Country	Legality	Price per gram, US$	Taxes of cigarettes, % of the most sold brand	Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$	Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$	Total Consumption in metric tons
1	Tokyo	Japan	Illegal	32.66	64.36	32.14	9.37	1.53
2	Seoul	South Korea	Illegal	32.44	61.99	31.61	9.57	1.57
3	Kyoto	Japan	Illegal	29.65	64.36	4.64	1.35	0.24
4	Hong Kong	China	Illegal	27.48	44.43	19.72	8.33	1.62
5	Bangkok	Thailand	Partial	24.81	73.13	99.11	25.44	5.46
6	Dublin	Ireland	Illegal	21.63	77.80	29.31	7.07	1.74
7	Tallinn	Estonia	Partial	20.98	77.24	22.13	5.38	1.37
8	Shanghai	China	Illegal	20.82	44.43	49.12	20.75	5.31
9	Beijing	China	Illegal	20.52	44.43	43.10	18.21	4.73
10	Oslo	Norway	Partial	19.14	68.83	19.28	5.26	1.46
11	Washington, DC	USA	Partial	18.08	42.54	47.51	20.96	6.18
12	Cairo	Egypt	Illegal	16.15	73.13	384.87	98.78	32.59
13	Reykjavik	Iceland	Illegal	15.92	56.40	3.97	1.32	0.44
14	Belfast	Ireland	Illegal	15.81	77.80	13.55	3.27	1.10
15	Minsk	Belarus	Illegal	15.80	51.15	9.08	3.33	1.12
16	Athens	Greece	Partial	14.95	79.95	7.42	1.74	0.62
17	Auckland	New Zealand	Partial	14.77	77.34	106.03	25.73	9.28
18	Munich	Germany	Partial	14.56	72.90	50.90	13.10	4.80
19	Helsinki	Finland	Partial	14.42	81.53	27.12	6.24	2.31
20	Singapore	Singapore	Illegal	14.01	66.23	0.14	0.04	0.02
21	Berlin	Germany	Partial	13.53	72.90	114.77	29.55	11.64
22	Stuttgart	Germany	Partial	13.50	72.90	20.20	5.20	2.05
23	Thessaloniki	Greece	Partial	13.49	79.95	3.17	0.75	0.29
24	Stockholm	Sweden	Illegal	13.20	68.84	15.06	4.11	1.66
25	Vienna	Austria	Partial	12.87	74.00	59.21	15.02	6.22
26	Copenhagen	Denmark	Partial	12.47	74.75	20.65	5.18	2.22
27	Moscow	Russia	Partial	11.84	47.63	128.97	50.82	22.87
28	Hamburg	Germany	Partial	11.64	72.90	50.16	12.92	5.91
29	Chicago	USA	Partial	11.46	42.54	119.61	52.77	24.54
30	Philadelphia	USA	Partial	11.30	42.54	68.37	30.16	14.22
31	Bucharest	Romania	Partial	11.18	75.41	17.23	4.29	2.04
32	Cologne	Germany	Partial	11.14	72.90	28.51	7.34	3.51
33	Geneva	Switzerland	Partial	11.12	61.20	5.90	1.81	0.87
34	Boston	USA	Legal	11.01	42.54	28.59	12.61	6.10
35	Adelaide	Australia	Partial	10.91	56.76	41.60	13.75	6.72
36	Istanbul	Turkey	Partial	10.87	82.13	21.79	4.98	2.44
37	Melbourne	Australia	Partial	10.84	56.76	132.75	43.90	21.58
38	Sydney	Australia	Partial	10.79	56.76	138.36	45.75	22.59
39	New York	USA	Partial	10.76	42.54	354.48	156.40	77.44
40	Düsseldorf	Germany	Partial	10.70	72.90	15.82	4.07	2.03
41	Brisbane	Australia	Partial	10.63	56.76	66.88	22.12	11.09
42	Hanover	Germany	Partial	10.51	72.90	13.46	3.47	1.76
43	Prague	Czech Rep.	Partial	10.47	77.42	63.95	15.50	7.89
44	Frankfurt	Germany	Partial	10.29	72.90	18.06	4.65	2.41
45	Wellington	New Zealand	Partial	10.11	77.34	19.53	4.74	2.50
46	Dallas	USA	Partial	10.03	42.54	51.01	22.50	11.95
47	Houston	USA	Partial	10.03	42.54	89.13	39.32	20.89
48	Vilnius	Lithuania	Illegal	10.00	75.76	5.20	1.29	0.69
49	Zurich	Switzerland	Partial	9.71	61.20	10.33	3.17	1.74
50	Montpellier	France	Illegal	9.70	80.30	12.21	2.85	1.57
51	Canberra	Australia	Partial	9.65	56.76	10.96	3.63	2.00
52	Zagreb	Croatia	Partial	9.43	75.26	24.35	6.07	3.43
53	Nice	France	Illegal	9.40	80.30	15.80	3.69	2.09
54	Phoenix	USA	Partial	9.35	42.54	58.26	25.71	14.65
55	Paris	France	Illegal	9.30	80.30	102.25	23.90	13.69
56	Miami	USA	Partial	9.27	42.54	16.24	7.16	4.12
57	San Francisco	USA	Legal	9.27	42.54	30.94	13.65	7.85
58	London	UK	Illegal	9.20	82.16	237.35	54.22	31.40
59	Colombo	Sri Lanka	Illegal	9.12	73.78	3.98	1.01	0.59
60	Riga	Latvia	Illegal	9.00	76.89	10.23	2.50	1.48
61	Bratislava	Slovakia	Illegal	8.92	81.54	7.24	1.67	1.00
62	Milan	Italy	Partial	8.85	75.68	46.06	11.42	6.88
63	Varna	Bulgaria	Illegal	8.83	82.65	4.84	1.10	0.66
64	Marseille	France	Illegal	8.69	80.30	36.23	8.47	5.19
65	Glasgow	UK	Illegal	8.65	82.16	15.21	3.47	2.14
66	Toulouse	France	Illegal	8.62	80.30	18.67	4.36	2.70
67	Birmingham	UK	Illegal	8.58	82.16	27.73	6.34	3.93
68	Kuala Lumpur	Malaysia	Illegal	8.54	55.36	6.61	2.24	1.40
69	Monterrey	Mexico	Partial	8.45	65.87	4.17	1.19	0.75
70	Edinburgh	UK	Illegal	8.41	82.16	12.22	2.79	1.77
71	Lisbon	Portugal	Partial	8.36	74.51	4.69	1.18	0.75
72	Strasbourg	France	Illegal	8.35	80.30	11.13	2.60	1.66
73	Warsaw	Poland	Partial	8.31	80.29	29.27	6.84	4.39
74	Lyon	France	Illegal	8.20	80.30	19.45	4.55	2.95
75	Los Angeles	USA	Legal	8.14	42.54	124.88	55.10	36.06
76	Liverpool	UK	Illegal	7.94	82.16	10.86	2.48	1.67
77	Amsterdam	Netherlands	Partial	7.89	73.40	20.94	5.35	3.61
78	Manchester	UK	Illegal	7.88	82.16	58.99	13.48	9.11
79	Rome	Italy	Partial	7.86	75.68	88.16	21.86	14.82
80	Toronto	Canada	Partial	7.82	69.80	124.15	33.38	22.75
81	Denver	USA	Legal	7.79	42.54	20.53	9.06	6.20
82	Naples	Italy	Partial	7.75	75.68	29.82	7.40	5.08
83	Leeds	UK	Illegal	7.67	82.16	16.93	3.87	2.69
84	Seattle	USA	Legal	7.58	42.54	20.59	9.08	6.39
85	Madrid	Spain	Partial	7.47	78.09	93.40	22.45	16.01
86	Calgary	Canada	Partial	7.30	69.80	52.23	14.05	10.25
87	Luxembourg City	Luxembourg	Partial	7.26	70.24	1.62	0.43	0.32
88	San Jose	Costa Rica	Partial	7.23	69.76	7.84	2.11	1.56
89	Buenos Aires	Argentina	Partial	7.13	69.84	25.32	6.81	5.09
90	Brussels	Belgium	Partial	7.09	75.92	15.50	3.83	2.88
91	Santo Domingo	Dominican Rep.	Illegal	6.93	58.87	0.67	0.21	0.16
92	Graz	Austria	Partial	6.84	74.00	4.81	1.22	0.95
93	Budapest	Hungary	Illegal	6.74	77.26	7.70	1.87	1.48
94	Sofia	Bulgaria	Illegal	6.66	82.65	12.83	2.91	2.33
95	Ottawa	Canada	Partial	6.62	69.80	35.43	9.53	7.67
96	Vancouver	Canada	Partial	6.40	69.80	23.44	6.30	5.25
97	Sao Paulo	Brazil	Partial	6.38	64.94	68.55	19.81	16.55
98	Rotterdam	Netherlands	Partial	6.33	73.40	12.75	3.26	2.74
99	Ljubljana	Slovenia	Partial	6.32	80.41	3.43	0.80	0.67
100	Barcelona	Spain	Partial	6.23	78.09	39.59	9.51	8.14
101	Montreal	Canada	Partial	6.15	69.80	60.52	16.27	14.10
102	Kiev	Ukraine	Partial	6.00	74.78	14.73	3.70	3.28
103	Abuja	Nigeria	Illegal	5.88	20.63	7.40	6.73	6.10
104	Lima	Peru	Partial	5.88	37.83	12.28	6.09	5.52
105	Mexico City	Mexico	Partial	5.87	65.87	22.58	6.43	5.84
106	Cape Town	South Africa	Illegal	5.82	48.80	2.47	0.95	0.87
107	Karachi	Pakistan	Illegal	5.32	60.70	135.48	41.89	41.95
108	Manila	Philippines	Illegal	5.24	74.27	2.32	0.59	0.60
109	Rio de Janeiro	Brazil	Partial	5.11	64.94	28.82	8.33	8.69
110	Mumbai	India	Partial	4.57	60.39	89.38	27.78	32.38
111	New Delhi	India	Partial	4.38	60.39	101.20	31.45	38.26
112	Antwerp	Belgium	Partial	4.29	75.92	4.10	1.01	1.26
113	Astana	Kazakhstan	Illegal	4.22	39.29	1.78	0.85	1.07
114	Montevideo	Uruguay	Legal	4.15	66.75	19.54	5.50	7.06
115	Johannesburg	South Africa	Illegal	4.01	48.80	3.76	1.45	1.92
116	Panama City	Panama	Illegal	3.85	56.52	0.81	0.27	0.37
117	Jakarta	Indonesia	Illegal	3.79	53.40	1.92	0.68	0.95
118	Asuncion	Paraguay	Partial	2.22	16.00	0.16	0.19	0.46
119	Bogota	Colombia	Partial	2.20	49.44	15.80	6.00	14.53
120	Quito	Ecuador	Partial	1.34	70.39	0.56	0.15	0.60

Methodology

Selection of the cities:

To select the cities for the study, Seedo first looked at the top and bottom cannabis consuming countries around the world. Then they analysed nations where marijuana is partially or completely legal, as well as illegal, and selected the final list of 120 cities in order to best offer a representative comparison of the global cannabis price.

Data:

Price per gram, US$ – Crowdsourced city-level surveys adjusted to World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Taxes on Cigarettes, % of the most sold brand – Taxes as a percentage of the retail price of the most sold brand (total tax). Source: Appendix 2 of the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015.

Annual possible tax collection is calculated in the following way:

Total_Possible_Tax=Population_City*Prevalence*Avg_Consumption_year_gr*price*tax_level, where:
Population: latest available local population data sources.
Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).
Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint.
One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010).
The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.

Total Consumption in Tons

Consumption=Population*Prevalence*Consumption_year_gr
Population: latest available local population data sources.
Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).
Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint.
One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010).
The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.

US tax level – Average tax level in the states of US where weed is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Includes retail sales taxes, state taxes, local taxes and excise taxes.

Growshops – Sourced via Google Maps Listings 2018

Headshops – Sourced via Google Maps Data Listings 2018

Legality
- Legal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is legal.
- Illegal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is illegal.
- Partial, if
  - Possession of small amounts is decriminalised (criminal penalties lessened, fines and regulated permits may still apply)
  - OR medicinal use legal
  - OR possession is legal, selling illegal
  - OR scientific use legal
  - OR usage allowed in restricted areas (e.g. homes or coffee shops)
  - OR local laws may apply to legality (e.g. illegal at federal level, legal at state level)

First quote: Based on New York City Council’s free lunch initiative which began in September 2017, with 1.1 million public school children, at a cost of $1.75 per child per day.

Culture

North American Society A Madhouse Says Former US State Hospital Doctor

January 11, 2013 The Silo 5 Comments

deranged "Joker" killer James Holmes — According to reports, deranged “Joker” killer James Holmes (in this July 2012 courtroom photo courtesy of thesun.co.uk) still believed that he was the fictional comic book and film character The Joker.

“Insane” has a clear meaning when we can look at it next to “sane” in the real world. Unfortunately, that has become more and more difficult to do, says Mike Bartos, former chief of staff at an American state psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane.

“It’s not just because the media rely so much now on bizarre behavior to entertain their audiences,” says Bartos, author of “BASH” – Bay Area State Hospital – (www.mikebartos.com), a fast-paced tongue-in-cheek novel that stems from his decades of experience as a mentalhealth-care professional.

“Take a look at what have become the ‘normal’ problems in modern America – some of them could be textbook examples of psychological dysfunction.”

Case – or rather, cases – in point:

• Obesity epidemic: Denial, compulsion, addiction and sublimation are just a few mechanisms at work in the psychology of a largely obese population. Sublimation is the mature defense activity perpetrated when socially unacceptable impulses, such as sexuality, are redirected, in this case to the consumption of salty, fatty and sugary food. With more than two thirds of the U.S. population and almost two thirds of the Canadian population [http://tinyurl.com/78o9z66 CP] either overweight or obese, there is nothing sane about this health crisis.

• Banking: The financial crisis that changed the world in 2008 can be largely owed to a cluster of “too big to fail” U.S. banks and their employees who thought they could continuously repackage terrible debt loans. Meanwhile, unqualified customers snatched up properties they couldn’t afford. This was an undiagnosed mega-scale gambling addiction. Many in the financial world knew it simply could not be sustained but the players continued to ante up.

• Climate change: Denial, denial, denial. The raw data from objective scientists overwhelmingly tells us man is largely responsible for warming global temperatures, yet we continue to use fossil fuels and to fill landfills with methane-producing waste. It’s a classic case; we completely ignore symptoms and evidence to maintain the status quo.

What the Bradley Report had to say about Rush Limbaugh's much-publicized addiction to oxycontin — What the Bradley Report had to say about Rush Limbaugh’s much-publicized addiction to oxycontin

• A drugged nation: Marijuana, a natural relaxant, is outlawed in most states while tobacco and alcohol – responsible for incalculable violence and sickness, as well as tens of thousands of accidents and deaths each year – are lucrative and legal vice industries. Meanwhile, some pharmaceutical companies and physicians encourage substance abuse and chemical dependency by promoting pills to ease the inevitable emotional and physical pains that come with life.

“Many of my psychiatric patients suffered from addiction to both legal and illegal drugs. Sometimes it was hard to tell which came first, the addiction or the other mental health issues,” Bartos says.

“The legal or illegal status of certain drugs seems to be completely arbitrary — much like the behavior of a patient suffering psychosis,” he says.

• Spoiled-brat adults: Narcissistic Personality Disorder isn’t only now accepted in society, it’s widely encouraged and celebrated, Bartos says. Reckless driving and road-rage are just two examples in which individuals are so self-absorbed, they believe their time and sense of entitlement are more important than the lives and safety of others. Throw on top of that our obsession with plastic surgery, need for constant attention on social media, and pre-occupation with consumer brands and we have pandemic megalomania.

• War: America [with on again -off again support from allies such as Canada,England and NATO allies CP] has been at war for 10 years now, and leaders cannot say with any precision what the US is doing with its current campaign in Afghanistan, nor what was accomplished with the last one in Iraq. It’s as if government leaders have a masochistic, sociopathic relationship with one percent of the U.S. population – the military, and their families. Young men are shipped off in the prime of their health, and often return physically or mentally damaged, if they come back at all.

“Is this sane?” Bartos asks.

Mike Bartos is currently in private psychiatric practice in the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives with his wife Jody. He has several decades of experience in the mental health field, including serving as chief of staff at a state hospital for mentally ill patients convicted of violent crimes, where he focused on forensic psychiatry. Bartos is a former radio show host and newspaper columnist. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.

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