Yes, I can believe that. We have the same problem with tobacco in France because it is too heavily taxed (black market is massive nowadays).
But that's really a government problem. They always pretend to tax stuff because it will slow the consumption but it never works, people keep using as much or even more if they get served on the black market that doesn't have to answer to regulation and taxation.
All of this is very well known, you just can't regulate drugs consumption, the only thing that works it social pressure but since governments have no say/power in that they pretend otherwise.
It's all very hypocritical, the only reason they legalise some stuff is because they want the tax money. Cannabis is heavily regulated because it is so simple to grow that there would be very little tax money to be made. You would just need to know someone who grow some in his garden, like tomatoes and around the time of harvest you would get massive oversupply.
Fascinating. I don't doubt your experience but I wonder where you are and which segment you're in. What I've heard is that it's the opposite for growers in California. Where weed previously went for $4,000/lb, it now goes for $400/lb.
There have been multiple studies in Colorado and California that have shown that black markets aren't shrinking, but expanding.
Legal weed and other drugs creates more demand, and the black market picks up these extra customers.
This was easily predicted by me and many other people, before legalization.
I suppose it's why I'm making more money than ever in this economy and most other people are getting laid off.