Looks like your weekly kale and almond milk run to Whole Foods is about to get way more fun, as the supermarket chain is the latest entity to express interest in entering the marijuana game. This means we live in a world where both Martha Stewart and Whole Foods are going to be slanging weed soon. Forget flying cars, who could have predicted that 20 years ago?
The Texas Tribune recently held a talk with Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, and when an audience member asked if Whole Foods would start selling alternative proteins like insects, Mackey confirmed the company’s interest in exploring that sector. He also admitted that the grocer is eyeing the marijuana market, citing the herb’s legality in Texas as its only hurdle.
“If cannabis is ever passed in Texas, chances are good that grocery stores will be selling that too…” he said. “You just never know what happens over time with markets. They change and evolve.”
[protected-iframe id=”bda216127537dc48d966f178ac2dcc0f-60970621-76566046″ info=”https://livestream.com/accounts/4773527/events/8521548/player?width=640&height=360&enableInfoAndActivity=true&autoPlay=true&mute=false” width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen=””]
While Mackey’s comments aren’t exactly an official confirmation, the dude is the Whole Foods CEO. Besides, as a retailer with a very liberal-leaning clientele, he’d be nuts not to keep a close eye on the booming cannabis business. The Boston Globe reports that Mackey has a history of being pro-Marijuana, citing a Mother Jones interview where the CEO laid out his politics.
“I am pro-choice,” he said at the time, “I favor legalizing gay marriages, protecting our environment, enforcing strict animal welfare protection laws (I’ve been an ethical vegan for 10 years), marijuana legalization, having a welfare safety net for our poorest or disabled citizens, and a radically reduced defense budget and military presence around the world.”
With a platform like that, it’s a surprise Mackey isn’t one of the many people running for President in 2020. Only one major concern here: as much as we want to try the Whole Foods artisan, organic, fair trade, single origin, shade grown, grass-fed dope, we worry it’s bound to leave many of us priced out. Yo, Mackey, put the weed on a permanent Amazon Prime discount and make up the money on those Barbara’s Bakery organic cheese puffs. We promise they’ll sell like crazy.
