Doobage, LLC

While far from being the blogular version of The Financial Times, Gheorghe has posted some detail on the shambles in which California's economy and budget reside. In turn, the legislature in the Golden State is now gettin' all Gheorghey by taking itself less seriously, thinking creatively, and proposing to cast aside some age-old preconceived notions in search of a better solution for its denizens. (They are not, however, "thinking outside of the box.")

There's a referendum on the Cali ballot (coincidental term) that would legalize -- and tax -- the sensemilla. I'm not sure what the actual chances of this passing are, but let's not forget: this is a state where Conan is governor and where Louie Anderson gets work. It could happen. (And in a more local vein, this WaPo article suggests DC might be soon to follow suit.)

Of the many tokes . . . uh, takes on the matter -- and there are plenty, from the religious right heavy-handedly condemning Lucifer's Oregano to the unintelligible ramblings of the Spicoli's Apostles, here's an interestingly narrow-minded one: DailyFinance.com suggests in an article entitled "Would Legalized Pot Threaten California's Economy?" that making the ganj legal might hurt the economy more than help it:

Oddly enough, the measure to legalize pot could undermine that stability. Illegality, the argument goes, plays a big role in keeping competition low and prices high. The high cost and risk of growing, distributing and selling the drug amount to barriers of entry that keep many potential competitors out of the business. So if these activities become legal, prices could plummet as aspiring marijuana moguls flood the market.

The prospect of legalization has some Humboldt County growers so worried that an estimated 100 industry insiders met with community leaders last week to discuss the possibility of a "post-pot" economy. "The legalization of marijuana will be the single most devastating event in the work force on the North Coast," organizer Anna Hamilton reportedly said at the meeting. She estimates that the price of outdoor marijuana could drop to as little as $500 a pound and result in the loss of 15,000 to 30,000 jobs.

You can draw your own conclusions as to how stony the author was when she scripted it, or whether it's a Christian values argument cloaked in economic sheepskin. The jobs lost would be untaxed positions employing lawbreakers. That many pot growers and dealers are peaceable humans on farms and on skateboards just bringing a little green joy into the world means that I wish no ill on them whatsoever; I just can't worry too much that their indie label might go mainstream.

30,000 jobs lost? How many more would be created? How many manufacturers, packagers, marketers, and strategists would need to be hired? What about the increased demand for rolling papers, roach clips, bowls, bongs, and fresh fruit? It's venture capitalist heaven, the introduction of a new industry that isn't new. The market share is already carved out; it's now time to see who can produce and advertise their product the best. If, and it's a big if, it goes through, it's an exciting marketplace whose full potential we have yet to completely inhale.

Economics was never really my thing, however, as evidenced by my struggles just to get to C level in Micro at W&M. (It didn't help that I liked to cut class and Professor Barry had a renowned photographic memory.) No, what I am most excited about is marijuana legalization American style, meaning big budget advertising. Take the minds that brought you the best commercials for SportsCenter, Miller Lite, GoDaddy, and especially Nextel, and apply them to cannabis. The results are sure to be side-splitting, and I cannot wait.

Gheorghe: The Blog, nothing if not cutting edge, is now inviting you, our fair readership, to spitball and storyboard some possible slogans, premises, and ad campaigns for the kind bud industry. Who knows? With all of job opportunities on the horizon, you just might find yourself gainfully employed by the marketing department at Tarlek's Herb, Weedies, Reefer Sutherland, or The Green Leafe. Fire it up.