Actions speak louder than words. This program has only been in place for about a year, and how many QA failures and other LP shenanigans have there been? Obviously $hit happens, but what has HC or anyone else done about it? Absolutely nothing; these LPs have not been punished for obvious failures due to incompetence and/or illegal activity and they are allowed to just go on as usual. Seriously, the QA problems that have occurred are not minor oversights, they are clear indications that they are not following any of the rules that were set out and dont really care, yet I have not heard about any consequences.
The only thing that seems to matter in this system is security and of course who's pockets you line. It is not about quality, there is no QA oversight or reprecussions, and you are probably better off buying from the dude on the corner in that regard. I say this as a previous applicant that naively thought this was for the best for anyone who could not produce it themeself (QA issues etc.), but the whole application process and networking opened my eyes to the harsh reality. Most of this business has been co-opted by large corporate interests, lawyer groups, creepy doctors, and other slimy characters. Even the big hearted little guys that make it through are basically forced to sell out to their corporate overlords (I've seen it happen in front of my eyes).
I guess I am a reluctant Hippy convert.
