Indiana Call to Action - Stop the Monopoly

[Hoosier]

Many shops have, as they said, "picked their pig.", when going forward with buying from the permit holders.

Some are closing up for good. Some are moving across state lines. Some have broken away from Hoosier Vapers and formed a trade association co-founded by one of the"pig"s. Some have joined the new trade association and remain members of Hoosier Vapers too.

Another trade association was formed by Zak and represents the permit holders.

We have 2 lawsuits against the state in state court. We are supporting 1 against the state in federal court. We are supporting the filing against the FDA in federal court.

Note the term "pig" is the term coined by the shop owners, not Hoosier Vapers board members.

These are trying times.

 

[DC2]

These are trying times.

It seems to me the end result will quite possibly be prison time for some of the players.
Unless of course a deal is struck to keep them on the streets.

How long it takes to get there, and how many shops go under before then?
That's the question that doesn't have a nice answer.

 

[mcol]

Just so sad. Everything.
I'll be heading to northwest Indiana in about four weeks.
Will be sure to bring my own stuff, but will be interesting
seeing what happens.

 

[tmcase]

What are trade associations?

 

[zoiDman]

What are trade associations?

Here is, IMO, a pretty good Description of what a Trade Organization Is and Does...

A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. An industry trade association participates in public relations activities such as advertising, education, political donations, lobbying and publishing, but its focus is collaboration between companies. Associations may offer other services, such as producing conferences, networking or charitable events or offering classes or educational materials. Many associations are non-profit organizations governed by bylaws and directed by officers who are also members.

Trade association - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One thing to Always remember about a Trade Organization is that the Primary Purpose of a Trade Organization is to Serve/Benefit it's Members.

This is Not to say that a Trade Organization can Not be Involved with Industry Wide efforts such as Advocacy, Lobbying, Standard Creation(s), etc.

But if there is a Conflict, or if there are Divergent or Opposing Options and what or how something should be done, a Trade Organization will/should always do what is Best for it's Members.

 

[tmcase]

Thank you @zoiDman. That was very helpful.

 

[zoiDman]

Thank you @zoiDman. That was very helpful.

Hey No Problem tmchase.

Like I said, the Biggest Mistake is that people Many Times Confuse a Trade Organization for something like a Advocacy Group. Or for a Group who will Lobby for Laws to be Amended or Voted Down for the consumer's benefit. And at times it can Actually be the Opposite.

That is Not to Say that Trade Organization can not have Views that are aligned with what the Average consumer wants. And Many times they Do.

But if there are 2 or More Paths that can be Taken, a Trade Organization will/should always take the Path that Benefits it's Members the Greatest. Even if that is a Path that the Average Consumer would Not like to go down.

 

[pennysmalls]

Many shops have, as they said, "picked their pig.", when going forward with buying from the permit holders.

Some are closing up for good. Some are moving across state lines. Some have broken away from Hoosier Vapers and formed a trade association co-founded by one of the"pig"s. Some have joined the new trade association and remain members of Hoosier Vapers too.

Another trade association was formed by Zak and represents the permit holders.

We have 2 lawsuits against the state in state court. We are supporting 1 against the state in federal court. We are supporting the filing against the FDA in federal court.

Note the term "pig" is the term coined by the shop owners, not Hoosier Vapers board members.

These are trying times.

Thank you for answering Hoosier. It's sad to see the vape community in our state so fractured now.

 

[AngiBe]

I'm living in a bubble bcuz I just now found out about all this total BS in Indiana. What are these "precious" 6 entities? What well known juices can still be sold that we know of? (besides BT juices??) This law seems down right wrong, unethical and most importantly, of no helpful use to the people. I'm sick to my stomach about this and I guess I will be on a MAJOR shopping spree this week

 

[Hoosier]

I know that Big Willy's and Liberation have"picked a pig". Both are constant sources of donations to Hoosier Vapers and make some juice that is downright tasty.

There are others, but those are the first 2 that jump to mind.

 

[pennysmalls]

Angi- Cravin' Vapes is one of the six and will be selling their juices in vape shops. I'm not sure what labels the rest of the liquid producing 6 are using. From what I understand and someone please correct me if I'm wrong our local shops can have their own liquids produced and bottled by these producers. This is what I was told at my local, that their best liquids will still be available.

If you're like me and order online though you'll need to get to hoppin'. Some online places are already stopping sales to Indiana. I've got relatives out of state who can purchase online for me then mail my order to me so that's always an option to keep in mind. My very ...... off vaping sister in another state will gladly flip the bird to Indiana for me.

 

[AngiBe]

I'm ordering and just so ticked off right now I can't see straight. I try to go with "cleaner" juices and not one apparently is on the list. Halo has a 100,000 sq.ft. facility and can't make the list???? No Halo, Mountain Oak Vapor, TPR, GoodLife...I'm crushed. And I'm not gonna vape crappy tasting stuff.

Where on earth did they get this list???? Does the BT ecigs still get to sell their crap? I just wrote the most rude, scathing emails to these idiots-not that it will do any good but my anger is through the roof right now

 

[AngiBe]

Gotta beef with the new regulations??? Voice your opinion here:

zlaikin@gmail.com

Senator.Alting@iga.in.gov

Indiana vape law shuts dozens of e-liquid makers out of industry

 

[pennysmalls]

Bt is exempt from this law. The security company only approved six of the applicants who applied for permits. The fact that national best sellers with the means and facilities to comply didn't make the cut speaks volumes.

 

[AngiBe]

dcook@atc.in.gov

 

[usastratsu]

I'm ordering and just so ticked off right now I can't see straight. I try to go with "cleaner" juices and not one apparently is on the list. Halo has a 100,000 sq.ft. facility and can't make the list???? No Halo, Mountain Oak Vapor, TPR, GoodLife...I'm crushed. And I'm not gonna vape crappy tasting stuff.

Where on earth did they get this list???? Does the BT ecigs still get to sell their crap? I just wrote the most rude, scathing emails to these idiots-not that it will do any good but my anger is through the roof right now

The sad thing is, I bet there are a ton of people out there that don't know what's about to happen. I hope each and every one are just as ...... as you are. Only way anything will ever change.

 

[tmcase]

Can you tell I'm ......?

 

[bnrkwest]

I feel so bad for Indiana right now! It is just not right!

 

[Hoosier]

Capabilities make no difference. Top notch clean labs make no difference. Nothing about this law has anything to do with safety, security, children, nor any other babble that comes out of a politician's mouth.

This law was written to create a monopoly. 2 of the permit holders have never produced juice. One of those is a lawyer for the security company.

The primary push for this law came from Zak. Son of the former CEO of Brighthouse. That CEO made his billions because of a government mandated monopoly. What was done is not new or unusual in US politics. It's fairly standard stuff anymore. The only difference is vapers are aware and realize the impact so don't believe the usual spew from lawmakers and their compliant media arm.

I've been fighting stuff like this for many years. I've been on the losing end most of the time. Mostly because too few care, or are even aware enough, to voice objections and vote. The only thing that stops this kind of injustice is many people speaking as one. Speaking and putting their efforts and money where their mouth is.

Indiana is just one part of the fight. We face more than just a Zak and monopolies. We also are coming face to face with pharmaceutical companies. BT is not the enemy many think, but they are more than willing to swoop in after the damage is done and take the whole market.

Articles in IBJ, Indystar, and Forbes shine a light on what has happened in this state, but leave out many things that should be investigated by law enforcement. That will only happen if enough people are willing to speak up.

 

[pennysmalls]

2 of the permit holders have never produced juice. One of those is a lawyer for the security company.

!!!!!!!!!!