De Canil Nackicã
Despite no pun intended it is hard to disregard the thriving business environment surrounding the production and sale of medicinal marijuana. With MMJ now legalized in 15 states and the District of Columbia, the market is expanding vigorously.
Treating a Variety of Ailments
THC, the active component in marijuana has been shown to effectively treat numerous conditions. It may reduce nausea, insomnia, neurogenic pain and movement disorders and the symptoms of glaucoma. It might be beneficial in controlling the the signs of ibs, migraines and fibromyalgia. Recent studies have established that THC prevents the formation of deposits of plaques related to Alzheimer's.
Obviously more research is essential in determining which conditions medicinal marijuana might help, but even this short list is encouraging.
Not Just Smoking
Medicinal marijuana opponents object strongly to the most common method of ingestion: smoking. However, there are lots of safer methods to ingest marijuana. Marijuana could be inhaled in a vaporized form and put into food after being processed into hemp oil. Both methods bypass the potential risks involved in any form of smoking.
Who Can Grow It?
Among the challenges of having medicinal marijuana is determining who's allowed to grow it, and just how much they are able to grow. America which have legalized marijuana for medical use have implemented standards for whether and how much marijuana an individual is allowed to grow or possess. Situations are a bit more complicated for dispensaries.
California allows patients and caregivers to form cooperatives to develop the plants, but much of the product which reaches the marketplace is grown on small "farms" which still operate away from law.
Recently a sizable store specializing in information and supplies opened in Sacramento, CA. The shop doesn't sell any marijuana, nor any plants. There are several plants displayed but they're owned by licensed individuals and will also be removed before they bud.
Licensed Dispensaries
Opening a medical marijuana dispensary involves a little bit of work. In each of the states where the sale of medical marijuana is legalized the requirements are a bit different. Businesses must obtain a license and provide proof that the storefront is either owned by the business or that the leaser has approved the business. Some states need a safety plan to be drafted, or request tax documents and so forth.
One of the biggest challenges facing these legal businesses is obtaining the full range of economic services, such as merchant accounts for processing charge card sales or accounts, since marijuana is only legal on the state level, not at the government level.
Perhaps the strongest argument the government will react to may be the potential tax base that medicinal marijuana will generate. In tough economic times it is hard to turn away any source of much needed income.