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KushCon attracts crowds in Denver

Marketplace Staff Dec 20, 2010
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KushCon attracts crowds in Denver

Marketplace Staff Dec 20, 2010
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STACEY VANEK SMITH: KushCon wrapped up this weekend in Denver. It’s apparently the world’s biggest marijuana trade show. Hundreds of vendors were there, along with thousands of attendees.

We sent Colorado Public Radio’s Zachary Barr to check it out.


ZACHARY BARR: For Mom, how about a marijuana cooking class?

DEMONSTRATION: And like I said, I’m doing pepper steak tonight, but you can actually do this with chicken.

For the kids, Santa’s here.

SANTA CLAUS: Ho, ho, ho.

Santa, what do people here want for Christmas?

SANTA CLAUS: Everybody wants iPads. We used to make ducks with wooden wheels.

For Dad, maybe he’d like a nice glass pipe. Only $20 bucks. Or for $45,000, check out Steve Farland’s rig — a high-tech hydroponic grow lab — built inside a tractor trailer.

STEVE FARLAND: Let’s say you want to be able to go to Arizona in the winter and you want to bring your grow with you. Pack it up, and drive it over there, and you don’t have to be stuck watching a warehouse.

The variety of products and entrepreneurial spirit at the trade show mirrors what’s happening in Colorado and 14 other states where medical marijuana’s legal. But there is that one sticking point.

RACHEL GILLETTE: They need to know how to stay in compliance with state law, despite being in no way compliant with federal law.

Rachel Gillette’s a lawyer, and she’s got a booth here, too.

In Denver, I’m Zachary Barr for Marketplace.

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