"As legalization of marijuana grows as a possibility, Northern California enclave where weed culture thrives ponders its future. Would its pot economy wither or does greater opportunity await?

Reporting from Garberville, Calif. In this region renowned for potent marijuana buds, many in Humboldt County long accepted that legalizing the weed was the right thing to do.

Now some folks aren't so sure.

A statewide initiative in November would allow cities to regulate pot possession and cultivation. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) has proposed a broader legalization. Neither is certain to pass.

Yet as medical marijuana has spread and city and state budgets are being slashed, legalized marijuana is becoming more possible than ever. That has some people here thinking twice.

Wholesale prices have dropped in the last five years -- from $4,000 a pound to below $3,000 for the best cannabis -- as medical-marijuana dispensaries have attracted a slew of new growers statewide, Humboldt growers say.

Recently, "Keep Pot Illegal" bumper stickers have been seen on cars around the county. In chat rooms and on blogs, anonymous writers predict that tobacco companies will crush small farmers and take marijuana production to the Central Valley."

(you must) Read the full story here >>

But hang on, definitely go read the story and then come back here to listen to highlights from the "What's after Pot" community forum, from KMUD, Redwood community radio. Seriously, you don't want to miss this. Things get interestinger and interestinger.

Listen to part one:

All due respect to our friends in the Humboldt area. You're way ahead of the curve on this and will do well. It's just interesting to hear the early rumblings of change and preparation resulting from re-legalization of cannabis -- even the one about "buying a lobbyist" to block it in committee. Loved the wine/winery model with tasting rooms and retail sales. That would indeed be an interesting model if you sincerely want a flood of tourism. We wish you well and await your IPO's should some choose to go public with new business models capitalizing on great tradition and quality.