The ‘green rush’ expected after legalisation in 2018 has failed to materialise because of chaotic regulations, while a black market thrives
A stretch of shops and a gas station lie empty on the main street in Garberville, a town in the heart of northern California’s cannabis country.
In the Woodrose Café, eggs with fried potatoes are served to a handful of diners. A sign above the bar shouts “JOY” to a row of empty stools.
“Our more remote parts of the county are being vacated,” said Natalynne DeLapp, executive director of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance. “Five years ago, Garberville was bustling. Restaurants, boutiques, lots of people walking around. Now, you know, it’s summer time. When you drove through there, it was probably pretty quiet.”
