If Illinois legalizes marijuana, how could that affect the economics of the drug trade among gangs?

[mopinko]

Curious City is a news-gathering experiment designed to satisfy the public's curiosity. People submit questions, vote for their favorites, and WBEZ reports out the winning questions in real time, on Facebook, Twitter and the timeline above.

Siva Iyer from Elmhurt asked: If Illinois legalizes marijuana, how could that affect the economics of the drug trade among gangs? WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore investigates.

Where do you think we should start this investigation? How would you answer this? Comment below!

http://www.wbez.org/series/curious-city/reporters-notebook-if-illinois-legalizes-marijuana-how-could-affect-economics

[Paulie]

1. In Chicagoland we are ready

Thousands of pizza places ready to deliver good to the toking masses!

[Tender to the Bone]

2. I frequent downtown Denver where there are known marijuana dealers.. about 3 years ago.

Now you'd be lucky to find one dealer who'll sell you the hard stuff.

So legalization of marijuana has had an impact on the drug trade, apparently.

I'm happy.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. I'm going to guess that the initial impact will be negligible...

...but eventually storefront businesses will eliminate the alley and kitchen transactions.

[randome]

4. The gangs will find something else to trade in.

Corporations will move in to offer their own 'brands' of marijuana.

[bluedigger]

5. A lot of rim rental stores and hair and nail shops will close overnight.