Medical Marijuana subject hits Las Vegas
The debate over the legalization of marijuana in Nevada overlooks one significant detail: It's already legal.
An estimated 1,530 Nevadans have obtained permission to lawfully possess and use pot since NRS-453A was signed into law in 2001, according to the Nevada State Health Division. (Nevada is one of 13 states with a medical marijuana program.)
Click on title to read full story. ...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Marijuana Moving into the Mainstream
(Marijuana has had a prominent place in LA discussion lately because of the City’s issues with Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. The MMD has spawned discussion of legalizing and taxing marijuana. This LA Times report suggests that pot my be a much more accepted part of American life than some of us may be aware.)
In June, an estimated 25,000 people attended the inaugural THC Expo hemp and art show in downtown Los Angeles, an event that pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy -- including a $22,400 payment directly to the city of Los Angeles for use of its convention center. Barneys New York in Beverly Hills is celebrating the Woodstock spirit by selling $78 "Hashish" candles in Jonathan Adler pots with bas-relief marijuana leaves; Hickey offers $75 linen pocket squares or $120custom polo shirts bearing the five-part leaf; and French designer Lucien Pellat-Finet is serving up white-gold and diamond custom pot-leaf-emblazoned wristwatches for $49,000 and belt buckles for $56,000.
After decades of bubbling up around the edges of so-called civilized society, marijuana seems to be marching mainstream at a fairly rapid pace. At least in urban areas such as Los Angeles, cannabis culture is coming out of the closet.
In June, an estimated 25,000 people attended the inaugural THC Expo hemp and art show in downtown Los Angeles, an event that pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy -- including a $22,400 payment directly to the city of Los Angeles for use of its convention center. Barneys New York in Beverly Hills is celebrating the Woodstock spirit by selling $78 "Hashish" candles in Jonathan Adler pots with bas-relief marijuana leaves; Hickey offers $75 linen pocket squares or $120custom polo shirts bearing the five-part leaf; and French designer Lucien Pellat-Finet is serving up white-gold and diamond custom pot-leaf-emblazoned wristwatches for $49,000 and belt buckles for $56,000.
After decades of bubbling up around the edges of so-called civilized society, marijuana seems to be marching mainstream at a fairly rapid pace. At least in urban areas such as Los Angeles, cannabis culture is coming out of the closet.
The One Essential Article on Medical Marijuana
We’ve all heard the claims before – from federal officials, police groups opposing state medical marijuana bills, etc. – that there is no evidence that marijuana is a legitimate medicine. Readers of this blog know that’s nonsense, but there’s been a need for an article in the peer-reviewed scientific literature that lays out the scientific case in a clear, tightly-focused way.
Recently, a group of scientists published a review article in the Journal of Opioid Management that does just that. The article, “Medicinal Use of Cannabis in the United States: Historical Perspectives, Current Trends, and Future Directions,” is one every medical marijuana activist should keep handy.
The authors, led by Sunil Aggarwal of the University of Washington, walk readers through the massive body of medical evidence for marijuana’s safety and efficacy, including “the 33 completed and published American controlled clinical trials with cannabis.” They note that “nearly all of the 33 published controlled clinical trials with cannabis conducted in the United States have shown significant and measurable benefits in subjects receiving the treatment.”
They also point out that the federal government has conducted only one long-term study of medical marijuana, the IND program that still provides marijuana to four patients. But it’s a study in name only, as “no clinical response data in the patient cohort have ever been systematically collected or disseminated.”
Translation: If officials don’t know that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine, it’s because they don’t want to know.
Recently, a group of scientists published a review article in the Journal of Opioid Management that does just that. The article, “Medicinal Use of Cannabis in the United States: Historical Perspectives, Current Trends, and Future Directions,” is one every medical marijuana activist should keep handy.
The authors, led by Sunil Aggarwal of the University of Washington, walk readers through the massive body of medical evidence for marijuana’s safety and efficacy, including “the 33 completed and published American controlled clinical trials with cannabis.” They note that “nearly all of the 33 published controlled clinical trials with cannabis conducted in the United States have shown significant and measurable benefits in subjects receiving the treatment.”
They also point out that the federal government has conducted only one long-term study of medical marijuana, the IND program that still provides marijuana to four patients. But it’s a study in name only, as “no clinical response data in the patient cohort have ever been systematically collected or disseminated.”
Translation: If officials don’t know that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine, it’s because they don’t want to know.
Medical Cannabis Management Off to a Fast Start
CARDIFF, Calif., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rapid Fire Marketing (Pink
Sheets: RFMK) d.b.a. Medical Cannabis Management (MCM)
(http://medicalcannabismanagement.com ) announced today that the first few
weeks have been very successful with regards to new dispensary management
leads as well as connecting with significant organizations for collaborative
ventures. Proposition 215, passed in November of 1996 makes medical cannabis
legal in the state of California and is being considered in other states. MCM
is in the business of providing full service marketing, consulting and
management services to this newly emerged industry, which includes medical
doctors and cannabis dispensaries.
Many of the businesses MCM is seeking to manage are run by small business
entrepreneurs. MCM's plan is to integrate tailored management services with
dispensaries as well as helping physicians with marketing and office space to
manage increasing patient loads. Rapid Fire Marketing will announce a name
change in the near future to better reflect the new business model. A new
website has been posted at http://medicalcannabismanagement.com
For full story click title....
Sheets: RFMK) d.b.a. Medical Cannabis Management (MCM)
(http://medicalcannabismanagement.com ) announced today that the first few
weeks have been very successful with regards to new dispensary management
leads as well as connecting with significant organizations for collaborative
ventures. Proposition 215, passed in November of 1996 makes medical cannabis
legal in the state of California and is being considered in other states. MCM
is in the business of providing full service marketing, consulting and
management services to this newly emerged industry, which includes medical
doctors and cannabis dispensaries.
Many of the businesses MCM is seeking to manage are run by small business
entrepreneurs. MCM's plan is to integrate tailored management services with
dispensaries as well as helping physicians with marketing and office space to
manage increasing patient loads. Rapid Fire Marketing will announce a name
change in the near future to better reflect the new business model. A new
website has been posted at http://medicalcannabismanagement.com
For full story click title....
Colorado’s Marijuana Economy: An Explosion of Ganjapreneurship
What can only be rightly described as an explosion of ganjapreneurship is currently underway in Colorado, sparked by the Obama Administration’s new policy announcement in February, which directed federal agencies to defer to state law enforcement on the issue of medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana has been technically legal in Colorado since 2000, when residents voted to add Amendment 20 to the state’s constitution. The Bush Administration, however, always maintained a rigid stance that federal anti-drug laws took precedence over state rights. Regular DEA raids on medical marijuana distributors in states that legally permit such commerce effectively intimidated citizens who would have otherwise officially registered as patients or caregivers.
At the beginning of this year, only 2000 people had applied for Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Registry since the system was established on 2001. In the past six months, the registry has grown to nearly 10,000. The registry card is actually optional under Colorado law–a doctor’s note is sufficient–so it’s difficult to determine the precise number of medicinal users. About thirty dispensaries currently operate to provide verified patients with locally-grown kind bud, up from just a handful in previous years. And the number of dispensaries is expected to double to 60 by the end of 2009.
click on title for full story.........
Medical marijuana has been technically legal in Colorado since 2000, when residents voted to add Amendment 20 to the state’s constitution. The Bush Administration, however, always maintained a rigid stance that federal anti-drug laws took precedence over state rights. Regular DEA raids on medical marijuana distributors in states that legally permit such commerce effectively intimidated citizens who would have otherwise officially registered as patients or caregivers.
At the beginning of this year, only 2000 people had applied for Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Registry since the system was established on 2001. In the past six months, the registry has grown to nearly 10,000. The registry card is actually optional under Colorado law–a doctor’s note is sufficient–so it’s difficult to determine the precise number of medicinal users. About thirty dispensaries currently operate to provide verified patients with locally-grown kind bud, up from just a handful in previous years. And the number of dispensaries is expected to double to 60 by the end of 2009.
click on title for full story.........
Medical Marijuana, Inc. Signed 5 More Collectives - Total of 28 In 5 States & 2 Countries
MARINA DEL REY, CA--(Marketwire – September 1st, 2009) - Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) expands further by signing VM Enterprises in Woodbridge, NJ; Medical Cannabis Management in Cardiff, CA; Sacred Herb Cooperative in Newport, MI; Morning Star Collective in Detroit, MI and the first in the State of Washington, Botanical Urban Dispensary in Everett, WA. These collectives will be using the tax remittance system developed by MJNA, showing their intent to comply with proper business practices regarding tax remittance to the proper agencies. These collectives will be in full compliance with one of the most crucial aspects of proper distribution of Medical Marijuana.
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 new investment opportunities.
Tax Collection
The Stored Value Platform System will provide verifiable solutions to manage the task of revenue and taxation collection. The "Point of Sale" (POS) system will recognize the dispensary's tax ID number, state and local tax rates and then provide "Automated Clearing House" (ACH) settlement of the taxes to the proper financial institutions. The access to certifiably secure transactions lessens the risk of loss at each level of the transaction.
Internal Management
All collectives/dispensaries in the U.S. are cash businesses, which present various challenges, such as risk of theft for Dispensary owners and risks of carrying cash. Customers are issued a debit card or medical revenue card for use at the dispensaries. The POS system can even monitor multiple locations.
Solutions
Medical Marijuana, Inc is developing a suite of solutions and tools for the Medical Marijuana Industry that will enable efficient tax compliance and business management, delivered in a secure (patent pending) infrastructure.
For further details on Medical Marijuana, Inc. contact:
info@medicalmarijuanainc.com
www.medicalmarijuanainc.com
www.twitter.com/medmarijuanainc
www.MySpace.com/marijuanainc
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 new investment opportunities.
Tax Collection
The Stored Value Platform System will provide verifiable solutions to manage the task of revenue and taxation collection. The "Point of Sale" (POS) system will recognize the dispensary's tax ID number, state and local tax rates and then provide "Automated Clearing House" (ACH) settlement of the taxes to the proper financial institutions. The access to certifiably secure transactions lessens the risk of loss at each level of the transaction.
Internal Management
All collectives/dispensaries in the U.S. are cash businesses, which present various challenges, such as risk of theft for Dispensary owners and risks of carrying cash. Customers are issued a debit card or medical revenue card for use at the dispensaries. The POS system can even monitor multiple locations.
Solutions
Medical Marijuana, Inc is developing a suite of solutions and tools for the Medical Marijuana Industry that will enable efficient tax compliance and business management, delivered in a secure (patent pending) infrastructure.
For further details on Medical Marijuana, Inc. contact:
info@medicalmarijuanainc.com
www.medicalmarijuanainc.com
www.twitter.com/medmarijuanainc
www.MySpace.com/marijuanainc
Switzerland backs the legalisation of cannabis
Four federal parties have rallied in support of an initiative to replace a ban on cannabis use for adults, while strictly enforcing its prohibition for those under 18.
Swiss voters are set to vote on the issue, rejected by parliament four years ago, in a November 2008 referendum.
A coalition of federal Swiss political parties of various stripes has renewed a bid to decriminalize marijuana in the country. Elected members of the Radical, Christian Democrat, Socialist and Green parties endorsed an initiative that would regulate cannabis use while making it illegal for children under the of 18.
The initiative is scheduled to be voted on by Swiss voters on Nov. 30. The parties have urged people to say yes to the proposal. Members in Bern said the initiative offers a “reasonable policy” governing the use of marijuana that is preferable to the current prohibition.
Swiss voters are set to vote on the issue, rejected by parliament four years ago, in a November 2008 referendum.
A coalition of federal Swiss political parties of various stripes has renewed a bid to decriminalize marijuana in the country. Elected members of the Radical, Christian Democrat, Socialist and Green parties endorsed an initiative that would regulate cannabis use while making it illegal for children under the of 18.
The initiative is scheduled to be voted on by Swiss voters on Nov. 30. The parties have urged people to say yes to the proposal. Members in Bern said the initiative offers a “reasonable policy” governing the use of marijuana that is preferable to the current prohibition.
New Mexico’s One Medical Marijuana Producer Is All Sold Out
According to a medical marijuana patient who has access to the secure Web site of the one nonprofit in the state producing marijuana for patients, the nonprofit has run out of its product and won’t have more available until October.
Here is the notice on the Santa Fe Institute for Natural Medicine (SFINM) Web site:
8/28/09 PRODUCT UPDATE
We are currently sold out of our inventory. Not knowing what members would like, our first crop was 50/50 indica dominant/sativa dominant. And although we are so sorry to run out, we now know that members prefer sativa dominant. We will try and adjust our proportions accordingly so this does not happen again. Also, please keep in mind that it takes 12-18 months for a smooth running ongoing production. This is especially tricky when it is a pilot project and mother nature is involved. We very much appreciate your patience.
Here is the notice on the Santa Fe Institute for Natural Medicine (SFINM) Web site:
8/28/09 PRODUCT UPDATE
We are currently sold out of our inventory. Not knowing what members would like, our first crop was 50/50 indica dominant/sativa dominant. And although we are so sorry to run out, we now know that members prefer sativa dominant. We will try and adjust our proportions accordingly so this does not happen again. Also, please keep in mind that it takes 12-18 months for a smooth running ongoing production. This is especially tricky when it is a pilot project and mother nature is involved. We very much appreciate your patience.
Pope of Pot and Desolation of Obama Nation
LOS ANGELES /California Newswire/ — President Obama promised medical marijuana patients that their cannabis collectives would be protected as long as they followed state law. That should have included another caveat too because it seems raids on cannabis dispensaries have not stopped. Beverly Hills Green Cross’ Craig X Rubin, is the creator of the on-line marijuana school, Craig X Academy, a school teaching people around the globe how to profit from California’s recent “Green Rush,” the move of thousands of people participating in the new medical marijuana economy of the Golden State. Rubin says, “Obama’s wishes are not being obeyed. The government is targeting cannabis collective owners who are speaking out against the government.”
The Web site Profitfrompot.com is a lead-in page to his Academy, a marketing tool, but this tool has led to some problems for Mr. Rubin with the Los Angeles City government. The City is using his legal business, a serious business school for people wishing to profit in a sagging economy, as evidence or reasoning behind taking away his church’s operating permit.
Click on title for full story
The Web site Profitfrompot.com is a lead-in page to his Academy, a marketing tool, but this tool has led to some problems for Mr. Rubin with the Los Angeles City government. The City is using his legal business, a serious business school for people wishing to profit in a sagging economy, as evidence or reasoning behind taking away his church’s operating permit.
Click on title for full story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
