Medical marijuana: a growing field

 

Even without a pun, it's hard to ignore the thriving business environment surrounding the production and sale of medical marijuana. With MMJ now legalized in 15 states and the District of Columbia, the market is expanding vigorously.

Treat a variety of ailments

THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has been shown to effectively treat a number of conditions. It can reduce nausea, insomnia, neurogenic pain, and movement disorders and glaucoma symptoms. It can be helpful in managing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and fibromyalgia. Recent studies have indicated that THC prevents the formation of plaque deposits associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Of course, more research is essential to determine what conditions medical marijuana can help, but even this short list is encouraging.

Not just smoke

Opponents of medical marijuana are strongly opposed to the most common method of ingestion: smoking. However, there are many safer ways to ingest marijuana. Marijuana can be inhaled in vaporized form and added to food after being processed into hemp oil. Both methods avoid the potential risks involved in any form of smoking.

Who can grow it?

One of the challenges of getting medical marijuana is figuring out who can grow it and how much they can grow. States that have legalized marijuana for medical use have implemented standards on the amount and quantity of marijuana that an individual can grow or possess. Things are a bit more complicated for prop 207 yes.

California allows patients and caregivers to form cooperatives to grow the plants, but much of the produce that reaches the market is grown on small "farms" that still operate outside the law.

A large specialty information and supplies store was recently opened in Sacramento, CA. The store does not sell marijuana or plants. There are some plants on display, but they are owned by licensed individuals and will be removed before they sprout.

Licensed dispensaries

Opening a medical marijuana dispensary takes a bit of work. In each of the states where the sale of medical marijuana is legal, the requirements are slightly different. Businesses must apply for a license and provide proof that the storefront is owned by the business or that the lessee has approved the business. Some states require a security plan to be developed, or require tax documents, etc.

One of the biggest challenges these legal businesses face is obtaining the full range of business services, such as business accounts to process credit card sales or bank accounts, as marijuana is only legal at the state level, not at the federal level.

Perhaps the strongest argument the government will respond to is the potential tax base that medical marijuana will generate. In tough economic times, it's hard to turn down any much-needed source of income.