Marijuana incorporated: cannabis eases into a billion-dollar business high

Legalisation has created a ‘green rush’ as companies find success in edibles, a growing consumer base and a three-day expo at the Hilton
The Guardian (UK)
Saturday, May 23, 2015

2015 Marijuana Business Conference ExpoNow legalised in 23 states and the District of Columbia for medical use and four states – Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska – and DC for recreational use, weed is big business. Cassandra Farrington, organiser of the 2015 Marijuana Business Conference & Expo, said independent analysts have valued the legal industry at $3bn, rising to $10bn when including ancillary trades and services. She puts the industry’s workforce at 60,000. "It’s really difficult to pin down an estimate of the black market, but calling it $50bn would be a reasonable estimate."