Friday, May 29, 2009

Medical Marijuana, Inc Files Provisional Patent Application for Inventory Distribution and Accounting Solution


Medical Marijuana, Inc (PINKSHEETS: MJNA) announced today that it filed a provisional patent application for its newest invention that delivers an inventory management, supply chain infrastructure and accounting solution to the medical marijuana industry.

Using this improved inventory management, distribution and accounting system, Cannabis Co-Op/Collectives, Distributors and Grow-Ops can accurately track the quantity and value of their inventory at any point in time and adjust their inventory valuation criteria accordingly. The system is based on a "plug-n-play" design that allows a variety of entities and components to "plug in."

All shipments are tracked via GPS allowing interested and authorized parties to monitor their shipments at any point and time in the supply chain.

Inventory is scanned using a barcode system that produces a highly secure "closed loop" audit trail from the grower to the patient. This feature is attractive to regulators who wish to ensure compliance by all participants in the industry.

Third Party Service Providers such as testing facilities can plug into the supply chain between the Grow-Op and Co-Op/Collective.

Charlie Larsen, President of MJNA, says, "This secure platform will provide industry operators with tools to efficiently purchase, trade, track and value their inventory at any point along the supply chain. This online interconnected distribution network will give all industry participants the ability to more effectively manage their operations and ensure that they are always in full compliance with regulators."

The MJNA Accounting Inventory Management System and Supply Chain Network provides a Straight Through Processing (STP) environment that will minimize fraud and illicit activities by providing a closed loop audit trail that will identify any and all breaks in the audit trail.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Study of 4000 indicates marijuana discourages use of hard drugs

A ground-breaking study of 4117 marijuana smokers in California1 reveals that the ‘Gateway Theory’ probably had it backwards. Instead of enticing young people to use other drugs, this study suggests that marijuana may have the opposite effect.

This first-ever clinical examination of a large number of medical marijuana applicants depicts a population that is remarkably normal. The percentages earning bachelors’ degrees and doctorates are nearly identical to the national numbers. They are, in the main, productive citizens with jobs, homes and families who smoke marijuana weekly or daily – and have in some cases for decades.

Click on Title for full story...

Ron Paul on the Legalization of Hemp and Marijuana

Ron Paul talks with Air America’s Richard Greene about the legalization of hemp and marijuana. Click on the title to hear the interview.....

A marijuana tax as the next new revenue stream?

Polls suggest increased support for decriminalizing and taxing the drug, but policy may not change soon. Check out the story by clicking on the title.

The Truth About Medical Marijuana

A panel of legal and medical experts join author Ed Rosenthal in a discussion on the impact of state laws allowing medical marijuana versus federal efforts to override all decriminalization statutes in this forum sponsored by the Independent Institute, Harper's Magazine and the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
Series: "Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley" [3/2004] [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 8463]

See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Of6PCVk9qA

"History of Weed" Video from Showtime "Weeds" Program



A precisely two minute YouTube ad for the Showtime program "Weeds" offers "A Brief History of Weed." The video begins with medical marijuana use documented in China in 2727 BC -- about 2,300 years too early for the Buddha image they use to represent it, but that's nitpicking. Flamethrower imagery at 1:06, representing the beginning of federal marijuana prohibition, is very effective, and post-Prop. 215 marijuana storefront footage is downright exciting. Check it out -- check out the Weeds season premiere on June 8th too. (Via The Daily Dish blog's "Cool Ad Watch.")

Minn. Gov. Vetoes Medical Mariuana for Terminally Ill

Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed an emotionally charged proposal late Friday to allow terminally ill patients to use marijuana for medical purposes, but signed into law a plan to disburse hundreds of millions of dollars from the Legacy Amendment passed by Minnesotans last year.

Click Title for full story......

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Entrepreneurs blazing trail with medicinal marijuana

In the infant business of medical marijuana, the sweet smell is spreading. Success, however, remains elusive.

More than a dozen states have approved the use of pot with a prescription, and similar legislation is under review by the Illinois General Assembly, where the state Senate voted Wednesday to approve a measure. Although the federal government outlaws the cultivation, possession and sale of the drug, it has indicated that state rules will prevail.

Click on title to read full story.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Medical Marijuana Inc. - Taking the First Step in Med MJ Business Consolidation

Medical Marijuana, Inc (OTC: MJNA) is happy to announce that it has signed the first Memorandum of Understanding with a marijuana collective in Southern California to use Medical Marijuana, Inc’s patent pending, stored value, tax remittance card. Bruce Perlowin, CEO of MJNA says, “This is just the beginning of a massive marketing program to educate the dispensary owners to the benefits of this program. There are close to 1000 dispensaries in California today that our Master Agents have begun contacting regarding utilizing our card. With 14 states now going through a process to permit medical marijuana in their state, MJNA is set to capture a good piece of this market as states continue to permit medical marijuana. With revenue in the 4% area, and with the average dispensary doing 1 million dollars a year in sales, we project substantial earnings”.

This follows our business plan which includes the Stored Value Card for tax remittance, a merchandising division to promote many of the cannabis related products, clothing lines, distribution, and the testing platform which we hope will standardize the industry with quality control.

It's official! Obama tells Feds they can't preempt State Law.

"The purpose of this memorandum is to state the general policy of my Administration that preemption of State law by executive departments and agencies should be undertaken only with full consideration of the legitimate prerogatives of the States and with a sufficient legal basis for preemption."

--BARACK OBAMA
May 20, 2009

Click on the title to see the fulkl memorandum from the Pres.

Medical Marijuana Inc! (Audio Interview) by Nicole Sandler

Medical Marijuana, Inc's CEO Bruce Perlowin Interview on CNBC by Trish Regan - Aired Tuesday May 26

CNBC's Trish Regan goes behind the scenes to explore the inner workings of this secretive industry, focusing on Northern California's "Emerald Triangle," now the marijuana capital of the U.S. In this scenic pocket of America, the pot business, much of it legal under state law, now makes up as much as two-thirds of the local economy.

The documentary reveals the staggering size of the illegal end of the business and an insight into the potential opportunities available to Medical Marijuana, Inc as legalization continues to sweep across America and MJNA seizes the opportunities to capitalize on every legal facet of this industry.

The show is being aired three days in a row, with future airings available on CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/id/28281668

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Medical Marijuana, Inc. Tax Remittance Card Flyer

This is the best in depth description of the MMI card. It has many benefits to both the despensaries and the consumer, as well as satisfying the government regulations and taxes. For the full story.......click on the title

Medical Marijuana Inc Secures MOUs With Cannabis Collectives in New Jersey, Colorado, and California


Medical Marijuana, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MJNA) announces that three more collectives in the states of New Jersey (pending Governor signature), Colorado, and California have signed Memorandums of Understanding over the weekend to use Medical Marijuana, Inc's patent pending, stored value, tax remittance card. Bruce Perlowin, CEO of MJNA says, "Things are going really well. We started the Master Agent program a few weeks ago for our agents to show dispensaries the advantages with using our Stored Value Card. These latest dispensaries that have signed up continue to show the acceptance of our tax remittance program. This shows the power of our Master Agent program as it sweeps the country."

Medical Marijuana Inc is the first public company to recognize the vast and unequaled opportunities that exist in the rapidly expanding Medical Marijuana market. The scientific recognition of marijuana as a powerful medicine has brought marijuana to a new status and opened the door for investment and opportunity. States are increasingly passing legislation favorable to the development of a medical marijuana industry; and this progressive policy comes at the request of thousands of constituents with conditions that could be mitigated by the use of marijuana or its related products and reflects the growing body of valid scientific evidence supporting the use of marijuana as a safe and effective medication. Medical Marijuana Inc is the first company in the United States to enter this industry with the intent to consolidate and develop products and services to satisfy emerging markets. In 2009, 13 states have already legalized the medical use of marijuana by qualified patients. In addition AL, CT, DE, IL, IA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, and TN all have medical marijuana legislation currently under review in their state legislatures. It is the intent of Medical Marijuana Inc to remain a dynamic company and take advantage of new opportunities as they emerge.

Read More.....click on Title

Monday, May 18, 2009

Over half of Arizonans say they support medical marijuana

Arizona could soon be the next state to allow medical marijuana use.

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project is pushing for the issue to be on the 2010 ballot.

Changing federal view of medical-marijuana laws creates opportunity

In March, President Obama's attorney general announced the federal government will no longer prosecute medical-marijuana clinics that operate in compliance with state laws. This means lawmakers in Olympia are now free to decide — without federal interference — how to regulate medical marijuana within Washington state. Click on Title for full story.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. Sponsors Podcasts on Time 4 Hemp Radio


Medical Marijuana is now the new sponsor on Time 4 Hemp's Podcasts - interviews and news related to the medical marijuana industry. Tune in daily to hear the latest...

http://www.time4hemp.com/index.html

Medical Marijuana, Inc. Signs 1st Medical Marijuana Collective to Use the Tax Remittance Card

Medical Marijuana, Inc. is happy to announce that it has signed the first Memorandum of Understanding with a marijuana collective in Southern California to use Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s patent pending, stored value, tax remittance card. Bruce Perlowin, CEO of MJNA, says, "This is just the beginning of a massive marketing program to educate the dispensary owners to the benefits of this program. There are close to 1,000 dispensaries in California today that our Master Agents have begun contacting regarding utilizing our card. With 14 states now going through a process to permit medical marijuana in their state, MJNA is set to capture a good piece of this market as states continue to permit medical marijuana. With revenue in the 4% area, and with the average dispensary doing 1 million dollars a year in sales, we project substantial earnings."

This follows our business plan which includes the Stored Value Card for tax remittance, a merchandising division to promote many of the cannabis related products, clothing lines, distribution, and the testing platform which we hope will standardize the industry with quality control.

Tax Remittance

This Stored Value Platform System will provide verifiable solutions for an inter-agency approach to manage the difficult task of Revenue and Taxation Collection for the Emerging Medical Marijuana Industry.

Using this new invention, the "Point of Sale" System will recognize the dispensary's tax ID number and tax rates for the state and local taxes as well as provide "Automated Clearing House" (ACH) settlement of the taxes to the proper financial institutions.

Taxability of Medical Marijuana Transactions

In February 2007, the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) issued a Special Notice confirming its policy of taxing medical marijuana transactions, as well as its requirement that businesses engaging in such transactions hold a Seller's Permit. According to the Notice, having a Seller's Permit does not allow individuals to make unlawful sales, but instead merely provides a way to remit any sales and use taxes due. BOE further clarified its policy in a June 2007 Special Notice that addressed several frequently asked questions concerning taxation of medical marijuana transactions.

Solutions

Plastic debit cards or medical revenue cards are supplied to the Medical Marijuana Dispensary (or Collective/Co-op as they are legally designated in California). The customers of the dispensary are issued the closed loop "Stored Value Card" (SVC). This "Stored Value Card" (SVC) is loaded for the customer by tendering cash to the Dispensary clerk. The Dispensary clerk will load up the new card for the customer using the "Point of Sale" (POS) System which will also recognize the dispensary location, as well as tax rates for the appropriate government agencies.

Advantages

The ease of access to certifiably secure transactions lessens the risk of loss at each level of the transaction. Users and operators are empowered and Government Agencies are more confident in assuring their collection of taxes and fees while secure in the function of financial interactions.

Dispensary Owners are more comfortable knowing all transactions are made with a stored value card. This reduces the losses associated many times with cash transaction businesses.

MJNA conducts daily conference calls to its Master Agents that are engaged in offering the provisional patent, tax remittance, stored value card to dispensaries and co-ops in California and other states where medical marijuana is, or soon may be, legal. The conference calls explain the tax remittance card in regards to how it works as a solution for the taxing of medical marijuana and the numerous other features inherent in this technology.

For anyone interested in listening in, and asking questions on how the tax remittance card works, you can do so any day this week at 4:20 PM California time, calling the conference line via: 218-339-3600 PIN: 321677#.

Group wants marijuana studies program on campus

With California getting serious about legalizing marijuana, can university business courses be far behind? No, believes the Treatments, Herbs and Cannabis Foundation. The recently founded Petaluma organization is lobbying for a “Marijuana Business Program” at Sonoma State University.

The program, which would initially offer a bachelor of science degree in business administration, would be “intended for the student who wishes to be involved in the evolution of today’s marijuana industry.”

The foundation, which favors the spread of medical marijuana clubs, also would like to see a “California Marijuana Research Program” and “Authorized/University Operated Production Facilities.” Such programs would help to “bring forward and cleanse an industry currently infiltrated by gangs, criminals and frauds.”

So far, job postings and program details have been placed on Craigslist, an invitation to join the cause is on Facebook and letters have been dispatched to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Francisco D.A. Kamala Harris and Petaluma Police Chief Steve Hood, among others.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Medical Marijuana, Inc. Begins Master Agent Training Conference Open to the Public

Medical Marijuana, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MJNA) announced that on Saturday, May 9, 2009 MJNA began its training program via conference calls for Master Agents that are engaged in offering the provisional patent, tax remittance, stored value card to dispensaries and co-ops in California and other states where medical marijuana is, or soon may be, legal. The conference calls explain the tax remittance card in regards to how it works as a solution for the taxing of medical marijuana and the numerous other features inherent in this technology. Over the weekend, MJNA trained Master Agents in California, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, Hawaii and Illinois.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. is now opening up these conference calls to its shareholders and interested parties as part of a corporate policy of transparency as to how the company is progressing in the medical marijuana industry. For anyone interested in listening in, and asking questions on how the tax remittance card works, you can do so any day this week at 4:20 PM California time, calling the conference call line via: 218-339-3600 PIN: 321677#.

For More Information, visit Medical Marijuana, Inc. http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Medical Marijuana Debate in Texas

A budget cure: Marijuana taxes?

By John Dyer, MSN Money
Daniel Stein says the salvation of U.S. taxpayers could be marijuana.

As Washington breaks the bank on Wall Street bailouts, President Barack Obama's stimulus package and other spend-now, pay-later measures, most observers agree that politicians will eventually need to increase revenue or cut spending to cover the federal government's debts.

Stein believes Washington could begin to balance its books now if politicians would take a serious look at his industry. The owner of two retail outlets that he claims generate $1 million in revenue annually, Stein says he pays around $80,000 a year in sales taxes to the state of California. But the federal government, which does not acknowledge Stein's sales as legitimate commerce, gets nothing from his business.

Click on Title for full story and videos

Schwarzenegger: Time To Debate Legalizing Pot

In the last week or two, proposals to legalize medical marijuana have advanced in Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken a significant step further, saying on Tuesday that it's time to debate legalizing marijuana for recreational use in California.

"I think it's time for debate," he said in response to a reporter's question. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues -- I'm always for an open debate on it."

Thanks to a 1996 ballot measure, medical marijuana is already legal under California law, though local officials have substantial discretion. Although that conflicts with federal law, the Obama administration has chosen not to target California medical marijuana dispensaries.

"Most Californians support the idea of making marijuana legal," Aaron Smith, the California policy director for the Marijuana Policy Project, told CBSNews.com. "Right now, the state is in a budget fiasco that not going to go away soon... It's about time they look outside the box at ways of generating revenue."

State legislator Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat, introduced a bill in February to legalize recreational marijuana. Bill AB 390 would license "commercial cultivators of marijuana" and establish a complicated web of regulations and tax rules they and retailers must follow.

It could raise over $1.2 billion a year in new tax revenues, assuming a $50-an-ounce tax, according to one analysis.

"This is only going to increase the governor's popularity," Smith said. "We have solid polling data showing that a majority of Californians are ready for this. It's a good political move, though I don't think he necessarily did it for those reasons alone."

A Field poll (PDF) released on April 30th found that 56 percent of the state's registered voters support legalizing marijuana and taxing its proceeds.

CBSNews.com's Charles Cooper contributed to this report

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Medical Marijuana Stock Doubles After Changing Name (Update1)

April 28 (Bloomberg) -- A debit-card company that changed its name to Medical Marijuana Inc. more than doubled on its first day of trading on the over-the-counter stock market.

The former Club Vivanet Inc. said it plans to use prepaid cards to manage tax collection and payment processes for marijuana dispensaries in states that allow the drug to be used for medicinal purposes, according to a release sent by Market Wire. The company, trading under the ticker MJNA, will also split its shares 10-for-1, the statement said.

States including Oregon and California allow residents to use marijuana for diseases ranging from cancer to epilepsy and glaucoma. More than 20,000 Oregon residents are registered to use the drug, based on statistics from the state’s Web site.

“This is a sizzle product,” Bruce Perlowin, Medical Marijuana’s chief executive officer, said in a telephone interview from El Paso, Texas. “We eventually want to be the McDonald’s of marijuana.”

Click on Title for full story.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Is Mendicino County About to Tax Marijuana?

Perhaps embracing the national general discussion on the wasteful War on Drugs, marijuana, and the need for tax revenue, on Monday the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors took up a "zip tie" proposal at a special meeting but put off action until May 5.

In Mendocino County the traditional start of the marijuana outdoor growing season begins in April. Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman is reprising a program tested in 2007 - medical marijuana zip ties. Allman's office distributed 1,500 test zip ties in 2007 test.

Under the new proposal the zip ties would be sold by the Public Health Department in order to assure compliance with the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Applicants would be required to present their California Medical Marijuana Card. They will be issued six zip ties unless their doctor recommends more. Allman is proposing that the charge be $25 per tie with a 50% discount for Medicare patients. The ties would be wrapped around the base of the plant and would be imprinted with "Mendocino County MMP" and a serial number.

Medical Marijuana Inc Patents Solution to a Taxing Problem

It is doubtless one of the largest stumbling blocks in the 'normalization' of the fast-growing American medical marijuana industry. Namely, how does Uncle Sam get his share of the big green pie?

But an entrepreneur from the United States has come up with a solution which he says, will not only make sure every dime bag sold pays into the cash-starved US administration, but it will also protect the people who are putting themselves in the firing line. Business people across the US who provide safe access facilities for the 25 million some-odd US citizens in 13 states, who have access to medical cannabis with a doctors recommendation.

Medical Marijuana Inc.

Bruce Perlowin is the CEO of Medical Marijuana Inc. A company which has come up with the solution to the problem, and it has recently filed a provisional patent application to protect its new concept.

The concept? To provide the ongoing management for what it calls its 'stored value platform'.

After filing for a provisional patent based on a revolutionary invention which its said, creates a solution in the tax remittance sector of the medical marijuana industry, Medical Marijuana, Inc. has now finalized the last two steps in bringing this product to a market place which is desperate for such a financial solution.

By finishing up the agreements with Club Vivanet to provide their processing platform and processing bank, Medical Marijuana, Inc. is now ready to take their tax solution to the Medical Marijuana dispensaries and collectives. The front line troops.

Club Vivanet's processing license allows Medical Marijuana Inc the flexibility to implement their newly created Point of Sale system, which will provide for the settlement of state and local taxes on the sale of medical marijuana. A market set to be worth a billion dollars PDQ.

Medical Marijuana Inc is set to start Beta testing its revolutionary payment platform beginning in June 2009. Which will include card production, card loading, hardware additions and ACH settlement to the depository bank and operating/tax bank accounts.

Medical Marijuana Inc - Poacher Turned Gamekeeper

It would be fair to say Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Medical Marijuana Inc, (NASDAQ 'MJNA'), is something of an enigma. On the one hand the future looks extremely bright for him. In case you've been living under a rock, Perlowin has recently patented the first medical marijuana tax collection system in the world.

A debit card based concept, which deducts a person's state tax liability at source. Meaning not only is the medical marijuana dispensary owner covering his tail from the unwanted attentions of the federal bullies who are doing everything in their power to curtail the legitimate trade in medical marijuana, but the patient himself can be assured he is buying his medicine from a medical marijuana dispensary which is doing everything in its power to abide by the confusing 'state versus federal' medical marijuana laws which apply in thirteen US states currently, (it could be fourteen states - like I said, its confusing).

Rules and regulations, which it seems, are tied up in so much red tape and bureaucracy as to make them unfathomable even to District Attorney's and Senior Court Judges alike. And when you add the fact Perlowin’s company recently became public stock, which is listed, and trading healthily on the NASDAQ, allied to the fact Medical Marijuana Inc stock is attracting interest from Australia and New Zealand, Europe and Asia, as well as the emerging United States medical marijuana markets, "bright" would be a term which would sum up Bruce Perlowin’s future quite nicely.

Click on Story Title to read full story

Friday, May 1, 2009

Medical Marijuana, Inc. Completes Banking and Processing Agreement

Medical Marijuana, Inc. announced today the completion of an agreement to implement MMI's provisional patent application and provide the ongoing management for the stored value platform.

After filing for a provisional patent based on a revolutionary invention last month involving a solution in the tax remittance sector of the medical marijuana industry -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. has now finalized the last two steps in bringing this product to the market place. By finishing up the agreements with Club Vivanet to provide their processing platform and processing bank -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. is now ready to take their tax solution to the Medical Marijuana dispensaries and collectives.

Click on Title for full story......