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Art Bell welcomes Sally Vander Veer, president of Medicine Man, one of the largest marijuana cultivation and dispensary operations in Colorado. Sally describes her transition from the pharmaceutical industry to the cannabis business, which her brother Pete started as a small medical caregiver grow in 2007. She explains how Colorado moved from medical-only sales to full recreational legalization and what the results have been after several years.
The conversation covers the real-world impact of legalization in Colorado: tourism is at record highs, 10,000 new jobs have been created, drug arrests have dropped 40 percent, and violent crime has decreased. Sally addresses the federal Schedule I classification that prevents proper medical research and blocks banks from serving cannabis businesses, forcing most of the industry to operate on a cash-only basis at significant personal risk.
Callers ask about pain relief, cancer treatment, opioid substitution, and the sexual and creative effects of different marijuana strains. Sally explains the difference between sativa and indica varieties and shares how her stores serve roughly 750 customers per day. She notes that teen marijuana use in Colorado has actually declined since legalization, and that the U.S. government itself holds a patent acknowledging the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
The conversation covers the real-world impact of legalization in Colorado: tourism is at record highs, 10,000 new jobs have been created, drug arrests have dropped 40 percent, and violent crime has decreased. Sally addresses the federal Schedule I classification that prevents proper medical research and blocks banks from serving cannabis businesses, forcing most of the industry to operate on a cash-only basis at significant personal risk.
Callers ask about pain relief, cancer treatment, opioid substitution, and the sexual and creative effects of different marijuana strains. Sally explains the difference between sativa and indica varieties and shares how her stores serve roughly 750 customers per day. She notes that teen marijuana use in Colorado has actually declined since legalization, and that the U.S. government itself holds a patent acknowledging the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
Key Moments
Schedule I blocks research: Vander Veer explains that marijuana's Schedule I status makes normal medical study extremely difficult.
Colorado tourism rises: Vander Veer says Colorado tourism has increased to record levels after legalization.
Drug arrests down forty percent: She reports roughly a 40 percent reduction in drug arrests in Colorado.
Ten thousand new jobs: Vander Veer says legalization created 10,000 new jobs in Colorado, including ancillary industries.
Federal banking barriers: Vander Veer explains why federal law makes banking a major obstacle for marijuana businesses.