3 Reasons Big Tobacco Might Be Taking Over Legal Cannabis Sooner Than You Think

Legalizing cannabis right now is likely a ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ issue, and industry and consumers alike are more than ready for it. Of the many parties that would benefit from widespread legalization of the sale and use of recreational cannabis, few would win more than the major players in the big tobacco industry. There are numerous reasons for this. Here are just a few.

The decreasing acceptance of smoking

It’s no secret that smoking isn’t as popular as it used to be. Some younger people may not even believe it when you tell them smoking was allowed in elevators and airplanes. Research by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that smoking has decreased in the US from 20.9% to 14% from 2005 to 2019. There is also no lack of reasons for the nationwide decline in smokers. From health problems like emphysema and heart disease to the fact that smoking is banned in most public places like bars and restaurants, it’s not surprising that smoking isn’t as popular with Americans as it used to be.

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Big Tobacco can afford to enter the market

Not only does the cannabis market offer tobacco companies a unique opportunity to expand their market, but it does so without major adjustments. This caveat puts many players in the tobacco industry in the pole position to start producing in the marijuana industry as soon as they get legal approval.

Prerequisites for getting started in growing and producing marijuana include: warm climate and the necessary tools for the right harvest. The same goes for mass production of tobacco, which is why so many large tobacco companies have cannabis in mind as their next frontier.

They are familiar with the work that goes into production

In addition to the resources required for production and distribution, large tobacco companies are also used to managing the processes many cannabis retailers face as they enter the market. Marijuana businesses that enter the recreational space typically have to adhere to strict regulations regarding aspects of their business, such as:

RELATED: Is It Bad For Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco To Help Shape Marijuana Legalization?

These are many of the same challenges tobacco companies faced at some point in their early stages. Given that they are familiar with so many challenges associated with getting their products into the hands of customers, the tobacco industry is much better positioned to enter and dominate the recreational cannabis space than those who who immigrate to the industry from other areas.

There is no doubt that Big Tobacco will have a seat at the table when it comes to the recreational cannabis market. The question, however, remains, how much market share will Big Tobacco have compared to entrepreneurs representing communities where the war on drugs has wreaked irreparable harm.

Originally, many thought of recreational cannabis sales as a way for members of these communities to regain damage caused by mass incarceration for marijuana offenses, but the looming threat of big tobacco to the industry will determine whether or not those plans will come true not.