Even with no pun intended it is 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.Treating a Variety of AilmentsTHC, 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 the symptoms of glaucoma. It may be useful in
controlling the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and
fibromyalgia. Recent studies have indicated that THC prevents the
formation of deposits of plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.Of
course more research is essential in determining which conditions medical
marijuana can help, but even this short list is encouraging.Not Just
SmokingMedical marijuana opponents object strongly to the most common
method of ingestion: smoking. However, there are many safer ways to
ingest marijuana. Marijuana can be inhaled in a vaporized form and added
to food after being processed into hemp oil. Both methods bypass 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 is
allowed to grow it, and how much they can grow. The states which have
legalized marijuana for medical use have implemented standards for
whether and how much marijuana an individual is allowed to grow or
possess. Things are a bit more complicated for dispensaries.California
allows patients and caregivers to form cooperatives to grow the plants,
but much of the product which reaches the market is grown on small
"farms" which still operate outside the law.Recently a large store
specializing in information and supplies opened in Sacramento, CA. The
store doesn't sell any marijuana, nor any plants. There are some plants
on display but they are owned by licensed individuals and will be removed
before they bud.Licensed DispensariesOpening a medical marijuana
dispensary involves a bit of work. In each of the states where the sale
of medical marijuana is legalized the requirements are a bit different.
Businesses must apply for a license and provide proof that the storefront
is either owned by the business or that the leaser has approved the
business. Some states require a safety plan to be drawn up, or request
tax documents and so forth.One of the biggest challenges facing these
legal businesses is obtaining the full range of business services, such
as merchant accounts for processing credit card sales or bank accounts,
since marijuana is only legal on the state level, not at the federal
level.Perhaps the strongest argument that the government will respond to
is the potential tax base that medical marijuana will generate. In tough
economic times it is hard to turn away any source of much needed income.