"He's been busy purchasing more than 1,000 different domain names in hopes that the upcoming vote for California's Proposition 19 ballot initiative will lead the growth of a huge Internet-driven marijuana market. [He] wants to be the one parceling out the locations that various businesses could use to sell their then-legalized wares..." PCmag.com
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By: David Murphy
- 10.30.2010
In an interview with the New York Times, former police officer Kevil Faler admits that he plans to, "make enough money to buy a condo in Morocco" with a potentially lucrative new side business—all thanks to marijuana, that is.
Yes, you read that right. But Faler isn't selling it—the first and most obvious joke that comes to one's mind. He's been busy purchasing more than 1,000 different domain names in hopes that the upcoming vote for California's Proposition 19 ballot initiative will lead the growth of a huge Internet-driven marijuana market. And, if so, Faler wants to be the one parceling out the locations that various businesses could use to sell their then-legalized wares: icecreammarijuana.com and marijuanapastry.com, to name a few of Faler's purchases.
It's one-part domain squatting, two-parts creative entrepreneurial spirit. But no matter how you slice the pot pie, there's no question that buying and selling domain names can turn a tidy sum—especially when their assorted subjects suddenly become front-page news around the U.S. According to the Times' article, the New Jersey company that paid more than $1 million for the single domain marijuana.com is now fielding (and rejecting) offers to buy the address for more than double its purchasing price.
"How much these things are worth is up to the political winds," said Michael H. Berkens, editor of thedomains.com, in an interview with the Times.
However, Faler isn't the only one with marijuana-millionaire ambitions. The Times also spoke to one, Jordan Zazzara, who was planning to make his Internet fortune by registering various domains that combine some synonym of marijuana with a popular city within California. Think "Fresnoweed.com," or "sanfranciscocannabis.net."
"I'll sit on them for as long as I have to," said Zazzara, who purchased roughly 100 different domains for $7 to $10 apiece. "And when marijuana is an accepted thing like alcohol, which it eventually will be, these things will be worth a lot."
And even though local police won't be prosecuting recreational marijuana users if Proposition 19 passes—presumably, at least--those arrested after-the-fact can always borrow a page from the hopeful entrepreneurs. As well, Brian McCrary of Tennessee, who snapped up the domain for the Bluff City police department after they busted him with a speeding ticket earlier this year. The site now lists ways that local patrons can avoid the aforementioned area's speed traps, amongst other information.
Proposition 19 is currently trailing in California projections, which could very well send the dreams of domain enthusiasts nationwide up in smoke.
Read more at www.pcmag.com
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