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The legalization of marijuana will utterly destroy this community. From the article, it sounds like weed facilitates a significant part of the economy as both a trade good and a consumable while LSD is a luxury item and hard drugs are not tolerated. Cheap weed will probably induce a net loss of value (that being the value of knowing how to procure it, and trading that value).

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It's fascinating that these kids are the opposite of the usual drug dealer stereotype. Based on my limited knowledge, drugs (in particular marijuana) trace back to either small individual growers, medical marijuana patients, or a gang or cartel. (As far as I know, LSD is very difficult to produce because of its highly regulated precursors. Only a few people in the world produce LSD, and they probably sell it to gangs to distribute.) Individual growers and patients aren't so bad, but for areas of the country where this is rare, gangs probably supply most of the marijuana. Gangs/cartels are known for having basically the opposite of the values of these "street kids." I wonder if these two demographics often come into contact for business purposes, "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels"-style.

Does anyone have any better, more specific information about the distribution chains for marijuana or LSD?

EDIT: clarifying first sentence

The article described the kids working on "weed farms" in exchange for "beer, food, and weed". Maybe they're selling the gleanings?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleaning

That makes sense for weed, but they probably have a larger supply chain if they're dealing on a day to day basis. Also, the post mentions "flipping" LSD - they buy it for a lower price and sell it for a higher price. Someone has to sell it to them.

Most American LSD is distributed through the "Rainbow Family" distribution network. Basically the same people you see on the streets of San Francisco. It's a stretch calling these people a gang. It has zero connection to drugs like heroin, cocaine, and meth.

and that is because there is no profit in LSD (I suppose related to it not being addictive?)

In SF, $50 will get you an eighth of pot, whereas LSD is like $5/hit (so a twenty is enough to meet God)

A vile costs less than $1 per hit and a fraction of that price for someone "in the family". You can only move so much though since it's not a habit.

Several factors favor a small source of distributors. Ergot is dangerous to work with, it's a difficult synthesis, and the overhead costs of making 1,000 hits and 1,000,000,000 is essentially the same.

Why use vials? Unpredictable dosage, charged by weight if arrested... (of course, I'm not sure how much SFPD cares about hippie drugs)

Not to mention the guys selling it for $20/sheet every 4/20 on Hippie Hill -- there's your year's supply right there.

Just an example. It's been a while since I've been involved in any scene.

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