The Weed Economy

Parts of the country where marijuana is not "legalized" but "decriminalized" may be heading toward a weed economy nonetheless. This article from yesterday describes how the "free gift" economy is working in Washington DC. You "buy" a near worthless item like a key-chain for $60 and the vendor "throws in" a bag of marijuana for "free" (of course the street value on the bag of weed is also $60). This is just one step below the legal sale environment of places like Colorado.

I think things could also evolve into a more pure barter economy type arrangement. (As an aside did I really use the terms "evolve" and "barter economy" in the same sentence?) In Massachusetts you are now allowed to own 6 cannabis plants for personal use and consumption - or 12 plants per household. Is it really a stretch to think that people you already do business with wouldn't be open to some trading? A haircut could be worth an eighth of an ounce to your barber or hair stylist. Work done on your car? You pay for parts but your mechanic will take a half ounce for the labor. There are many such transactions this barter could apply to.

Even in places where weed is legal you could still have these barter transactions - because avoiding taxes is as old a practice as taxes themselves. 

Too bad I don't have a green thumb.