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Bigger and Bigger and Bigger If we start getting noticed as an MJ company, there will be Mucho Denaro made here
3 Reasons Why Cannabis Stocks Will Soar in 2016
By Alex McGuire, Associate Editor, Money Morning • @AlexMcGuire92 • July 21, 2016
cannabis stocksCannabis stocks are poised to outperform the broader market in 2016, and it's mostly thanks to the banner year legal marijuana sales are about to have.
ArcView Market Research – which focuses on the growing economic effects of the pot industry – reports U.S. firms that sell medicinal or legal marijuana will post sales of $6.7 billion this year. That would mark a 25% increase from sales of $5.4 billion in 2015.
Bonus Content: Everything you need to increase your wealth like never before is in this brand-new guide – including the best strategy to outperform the S&P 500 by triple digits.
But we've identified three more trends that will boost cannabis stocks in 2016…
The first two trends deal with the growing acceptance of marijuana use in the United States. But the third deals with the cannabis industry's intersection with another $187 billion market.
Check out these three reasons why marijuana stocks will post big long-term gains…
Bullish Trend for Cannabis Stocks No. 3: Widespread Legalization
Cannabis legalization is becoming a massive movement across the United States, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Since 2000, the number of states legalizing marijuana use for medical purposes has been steadily rising. Before that year, only three states – Maine, California, and Oregon – had legal cannabis laws.
As of June 2016, there are 25 states – and Washington, D.C. – that permit cannabis use of some kind. According to ProCon.org, the states include…
?Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington
The total number of states will likely increase in November when more than 20 states vote on marijuana legalization. The increased marijuana revenue from these states will be a huge boon for cannabis stocks.
Bullish Trend for Cannabis Stocks No. 2: Pot's Influence Across Sectors
The influence of the marijuana industry is spilling over into other areas of the market. In fact, there are three market sectors currently benefiting from the growing acceptance of cannabis use…
The first sector is biotech. According to ArcView, "Big Pharma" firms like Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) will likely start acquiring small marijuana companies for research purposes. Last March, U.S. News & World Report said most biotech companies are ramping up medical research on cannabis as federal laws ease up.
The second industry being impacted by the cannabis market is social media. Companies are starting to use marijuana culture as a way to bring people together on a social media platform. One of the biggest cannabis social media firms is MassRoots Inc. (OTCMKTS: MSRT), a site that lets users share pot-related experiences and has over 725,000 users.
The 5 Biggest IPOs of 2016: After a bland first quarter, the 2016 IPO market is picking up steam. And these five companies are set to be the biggest IPOs of the year…
And the third sector benefiting from marijuana is the healthcare sector. According to Leafly, marijuana use has been shown to relieve arthritis pain, which affects roughly 20% of U.S. adults. Healthcare companies are researching ways to create cannabis ointments and oils for treating arthritis-related joint pain.
But this third trend will have the biggest impact on cannabis stocks in 2016…
Bullish Trend for Cannabis Stocks No. 1: Growing Big Data Industry
Big Data could provide a massive boost to marijuana revenue over the next few years.
You see, Big Data companies use analytics technology to gather consumer data for businesses. Many firms who are trying to increase sales hire Big Data giants like Oracle Corp. (NYSE: ORCL) and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) to study consumer trends. This research helps firms improve their marketing, which results in better sales.
Demand for this crucial type of marketing research has caused explosive growth for Big Data. Research done by the Economist Intelligence Unit found 83% of surveyed organizations said consumer data is making their products more profitable. Data's important role in business growth is one reason why research firm IDC says the Big Data industry's valuation will reach $187 billion by 2019. That would be up from $125 billion in 2015.
Big Data firms have the tools to increase legal marijuana sales just like any other type of business. Their analytics can study everything from plant cultivation to consumer purchasing trends, which could help cannabis retailers and companies adjust their inventories to meet customer demand.
One company already catching on is Flowhub. This firm uses software that analyzes marijuana retailers' operations to ensure they comply with state laws. It boasts about 100 legal cannabis retailers across Colorado and Oregon as clients.
I hear ya guys and I'm sticking around for now, may even buy some more if I see some positive movement or news. GLTA
Thanks yesterdaysnews74 wow if you have over 7 million shares you must be very confident or know something positive please share it with the board thanks.
I'm still holding also with one million shares but is no one concerned that we have heard nothing from this company in over three months. No news at all, no name change, no financials nothing. It sure as shit bothers me. I will hold as long as there is no more downside to the PPS but if no news by end of August I'm gone.
PS has anyone tried to contact WOFA, if so please post the results, I have had no luck trying. GLTA
Curious is Madstacker still around are you still holding?
Anyone think the DEA will make a decision before the end of the month?
Most Common Medical Conditions of Registered MMJ Patients
marijuana conditions
By Eli McVey
Adding chronic or severe pain to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana has a huge impact on the size of a given market, as evidenced by the overwhelming percentage of registered patients using MMJ to treat the condition.
A combined 64.2% of patients in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico and Oregon – the only states that publicly release patient counts by condition – list chronic/severe pain as a reason for using medical cannabis, according to an analysis of publicly available data.
Taken together, these eight markets represent approximately 400,000 of the estimated 1.5 million medical marijuana patients in states with active MMJ programs.
The remaining 36% of patients in the states analyzed are using cannabis to treat a disparate set of medical conditions, primarily muscle spasms, severe nausea, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, seizures/epilepsy and glaucoma.
The figures are of particular relevance to entrepreneurs eyeing new medical marijuana markets and business owners in states where qualifying condition lists are still in flux.
Revenue expectations and patient counts are inextricably linked to these qualifying conditions lists, and the inclusion of chronic/severe pain will significantly impact each state’s addressable market.
Case in point: Minnesota has one of the smallest patient bases in the country, and it also did not allow the use of medical marijuana to treat chronic/severe pain until recently. Now that patients can use MMJ for pain, the market is expected to grow significantly.
Another example: Illinois, which doesn’t include chronic/severe pain on its MMJ conditions list, has struggled to maintain a patient base sufficient enough to support the 52 state-authorized dispensaries.
In the remaining states that provide detailed information, chronic/severe pain is either the largest or second-biggest medical condition listed by patients.
The argument against adding chronic/severe pain to a state’s list of qualifying medical conditions stems from the broad definition of chronic or severe pain, and the lack of a definitive test to prove that patients are indeed suffering from such symptoms. It’s the same reason many psychological conditions, such as ADHD or bi-polar disorder, are not approved to be treated with cannabis.
Aside from pain, some other medical conditions can bolster the market noticeably as well.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in particular is an important condition for the industry. PTSD accounts for 4.2% of patients using medical marijuana in the eight markets analyzed, a relatively high figure considering it only appears on four of these states’ lists of qualifying conditions.
The percentage will likely increase over time, as more states are expected to add post-traumatic stress disorder to their conditions lists.
Illinois, for instance, was recently ordered to place PTSD on its list, which is expected to give the market a solid boost.
The medical conditions that qualify patients to use cannabis as treatment differ significantly from state to state, and it’s in the best interest of industry operators in all states to understand and quantify the unique financial impact the inclusion, or absence, each of these medical conditions presents to their business.
July 18, 2016
Australian MMJ Company Aims To Raise $4M for Human Trials
July 15, 2016
Rhode Island Adds PTSD to Medical Cannabis List
July 15, 2016
Denver Edibles Business Looks to Grow Own Marijuana
Most Common Medical Conditions of Registered MMJ Patients
marijuana conditions
By Eli McVey
Adding chronic or severe pain to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana has a huge impact on the size of a given market, as evidenced by the overwhelming percentage of registered patients using MMJ to treat the condition.
A combined 64.2% of patients in Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico and Oregon – the only states that publicly release patient counts by condition – list chronic/severe pain as a reason for using medical cannabis, according to an analysis of publicly available data.
Taken together, these eight markets represent approximately 400,000 of the estimated 1.5 million medical marijuana patients in states with active MMJ programs.
The remaining 36% of patients in the states analyzed are using cannabis to treat a disparate set of medical conditions, primarily muscle spasms, severe nausea, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, seizures/epilepsy and glaucoma.
The figures are of particular relevance to entrepreneurs eyeing new medical marijuana markets and business owners in states where qualifying condition lists are still in flux.
Revenue expectations and patient counts are inextricably linked to these qualifying conditions lists, and the inclusion of chronic/severe pain will significantly impact each state’s addressable market.
Case in point: Minnesota has one of the smallest patient bases in the country, and it also did not allow the use of medical marijuana to treat chronic/severe pain until recently. Now that patients can use MMJ for pain, the market is expected to grow significantly.
Another example: Illinois, which doesn’t include chronic/severe pain on its MMJ conditions list, has struggled to maintain a patient base sufficient enough to support the 52 state-authorized dispensaries.
In the remaining states that provide detailed information, chronic/severe pain is either the largest or second-biggest medical condition listed by patients.
The argument against adding chronic/severe pain to a state’s list of qualifying medical conditions stems from the broad definition of chronic or severe pain, and the lack of a definitive test to prove that patients are indeed suffering from such symptoms. It’s the same reason many psychological conditions, such as ADHD or bi-polar disorder, are not approved to be treated with cannabis.
Aside from pain, some other medical conditions can bolster the market noticeably as well.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in particular is an important condition for the industry. PTSD accounts for 4.2% of patients using medical marijuana in the eight markets analyzed, a relatively high figure considering it only appears on four of these states’ lists of qualifying conditions.
The percentage will likely increase over time, as more states are expected to add post-traumatic stress disorder to their conditions lists.
Illinois, for instance, was recently ordered to place PTSD on its list, which is expected to give the market a solid boost.
The medical conditions that qualify patients to use cannabis as treatment differ significantly from state to state, and it’s in the best interest of industry operators in all states to understand and quantify the unique financial impact the inclusion, or absence, each of these medical conditions presents to their business.
Believe me I do not want to think I've been scammed, I bought plenty of shares and still hold them. I just think we should have heard some news by now and it's making me nervous. Where the hell is the name change and the financials. Over three months and not a word from WOFA. I'm still cautiously hoping for the best and anxiously waiting. GLTA
I think this bodes well for GRNH
California to Regulate Water Use Among Cannabis Growers
Up to 50,000 marijuana growers in California could be required to obtain state permits to use irrigation water under a new law which spells out operating details of the state’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act.
The state law, SB37, calls for an unprecedented water conservation effort, KQED reported, and one that hasn’t been tried in other states with legal marijuana industries.
It’s aimed at protecting the environment and other water users given the rapid growth of the state’s cannabis industry. Cultivators – led by the California Growers Association – support the move.
The new rules require growers to get cultivation permits from a new Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation. To get the permits, growers must certify where they are getting their water from.
The new program also directs the State Water Resources Control Board and Department of Fish and Wildlife to create a task force to assess environmental damages from marijuana growing. The task force also has the authority to collect fees and penalties from growers to pay for programs to correct the damage, KQED reported.
Growers are generally allowed to divert water from creeks or other sources on or adjacent to their land, but not when it causes environmental damage.
KQED also noted some regions lack enough water for everyone, in which case some growers may have to get water other ways, like buying it from a tanker truck or digging a well.
Daily News | Briefs | California Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News | Cultivation | Legal & Regulatory News for Marijuana Businesses
?
To quiet this is very bad, no one has much to say at all. I guess we are all in the same boat, no news and no contact information at all. I hope we did not get scammed, by some professional low life's. I'm sure many of you are worried as am I.
Why California voters and others will say 'yes' to marijuana legalization
By Paul Armentano, contributor
Voters in at least eight states, including Florida, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada, will decide on marijuana-related ballot initiatives this November. The most high-profile and far-reaching of these campaigns is California's Adult Use Marijuana Act (Proposition 64), which permits adults to possess and grow small quantities of cannabis for personal use while also establishing a regulatory framework for the plant's commercial production and for the taxation of its retail sale. It is estimated that these reforms will result in some $100 million annually in taxpayers' savings while raising up to $1 billion in new revenue, much of which is earmarked to fund drug prevention and drug awareness programs.
Similar laws are already in place in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington state, and there is strong reason to believe that this year's crop of initiatives will be equally successful at the ballot box. Nationally, 58 percent of Americans believe that "the use of marijuana should be made legal," according to the most recently available Gallup polling. In California, 60 percent of registered voters say that they will vote in November to "legalize marijuana for recreational use under California law and allow government to tax" its retail sales, according to the results of a March 2016 Probolsky Research poll. The measure also has gained endorsements from California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), the California Medical Association and the California Democratic Party, among others.
To be clear, voters in California, like voters nationwide, do not desire replacing over a century of criminalization with a marijuana free-for-all. They are aware of the reality that marijuana possesses some level of risk potential and that it can, in some instances, be misused. In fact, it is precisely because cannabis is a mood-altering substance with misuse potential that society ought to regulate its use, production and sale accordingly — such as by imposing and enforcing age restrictions to better keep it out of the hands of young people. By contrast, advocating for marijuana's continued criminalization does nothing to offset the plant's potential risks to the individual user and to society; it only compounds them.
Marijuana prohibition drives markets underground and abdicates control of these markets to those who typically operate outside the boundaries of law. Regulation, by contrast, allows for lawmakers to establish legal parameters regarding where, when and how an adult cannabis market may operate. Legalization also provides oversight regarding who may legally operate in said markets and provides guidelines so that those who do can engage in best practices.
Such regulations already exist for alcohol and tobacco, two substances that are far more dangerous and costlier to society than is the responsible adult use of cannabis. The imposition and enforcement of tobacco and alcohol regulations, coupled with public awareness campaigns highlighting these products' risks and acknowledging the distinctions between their use versus abuse, has proven effective at reducing the public's overall consumption of these substances. In fact, tobacco and alcohol use among teens now stands at historic lows.
Unfortunately, a legal environment in which marijuana is criminalized and its consumers are stigmatized is not conducive to imposing such commonsense, evidence-based practices. A pragmatic regulatory framework that allows for the legal, licensed commercial production and retail sale of cannabis to adults, but restricts and discourages its use among young people, best reduces the risks associated with the plant's use or abuse, and provides an environment whereby consumers can best learn the skills and knowledge to readily delineate between the two behaviors. That is why most Californians welcome the opportunity to bring necessary and long-overdue regulatory controls to the marijuana market, and why they, along with a majority of voters in several other states, will decide to do so in November.
Armentano is the deputy director of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and an adviser for Freedom Leaf. He is the co-author of the book "Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?" (Cheslea Green, 2013) and author of the book "The Citizen's Guide to State-By-State Marijuana Laws" (Whitman Press, 2015).
Tags: California, Adult Use Marijuana Act, Proposition 64, Marijuana, legalize, legalization
I live in Queens NY and in Brooklyn NY recently there have been quite a few deaths and extreme illness, from a synthetic Marijuana sold in local Bodega's (small stores) called K2. It was only recently made illegal but was still be sold, massive raids have finally been done by the police on these stores but only after these deaths occurred. So Ludacris that this artificial poison MJ (K2) was allowed to be sold legally for so long and people died from it, yet the real Marijuana that never hurt anyone and has many medical benefits, has been deemed illegal for so many years. DEA you were wrong for putting MJ on Schedule I many years ago and you will be extremely wrong if you keep it there. So many people being denied the medical benefits of this biological plant, time for change is now.
Seriously has anyone done Deep DD on this company? I was only able to do some basic DD and relied on this board for more information. I'm not sure anymore what the hell is going on, over three months with not a word from WOFA, nothing. Has anyone gotten in touch Via Phone or E-mail? If you have any information please post it here so we all can be enlightened. GLTA
From yesterdays meeting
NIDA (National Institute for Drug Abuse) also testified at the hearing yesterday. And now we have this:
NIDA Asks Scientific Community, Which Marijuana Varieties or Marijuana-Derived Products Warrant More Research?
“The National Institute on Drug Abuse supports the production of research grade marijuana and marijuana products (i.e. extracts, purified cannabinoids, etc.) for research.” As such, the NIDA is now “interested in gathering information on whether other specific marijuana varieties or marijuana-derived products are of interest to the research community.”
Per NIH (National Institute of Health), “Responses will be accepted until September 15, 2016 through submissions to marijuanainfo@nida.nih.gov. The collected information will be analyzed and may be used to guide future US Government efforts to provide adequate supplies of marijuana and marijuana products for research into the health risks and benefits.”
Where they stand on legalizing MJ It's going to happen soon people
Hillary Clinton
Democrat
ClintonBplusFormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, which will officially nominate a candidate at its national convention scheduled for July 25-28, 2016.
Grade: B+
Where does she stand?
Clinton has expressed support for legal access to medical marijuana and more research into the medical benefits of marijuana.
In 2014, when asked about the legalization laws approved in Colorado and Washington, she said “states are the laboratories of democracy” and that she wants to see what happens in those states prior to taking a position in support or opposition to such laws.
During the October 13 Democratic presidential debate she was asked whether she has taken a position on state legalization laws now that a year has gone by, to which she replied, “No.” Instead, she expressed support for laws that allow legal access to medical marijuana, as well as concern about U.S. incarceration rates, noting that she does not believe people should be imprisoned for marijuana use. In an interview the following day, she expressed support for allowing states to adopt their own marijuana policies and said she would not want the federal government to interfere in them.
On November 7, 2015, Clinton said she supports reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II to remove barriers to researching its medical benefits.
What has she said?
“I think what the states are doing right now needs to be supported, and I absolutely support all the states that are moving toward medical marijuana, moving toward — absolutely — legalizing it for recreational use.
“What I’ve said is let’s take it off the what’s called Schedule I and put it on a lower schedule so that we can actually do research about it. There’s some great evidence about what marijuana can do for people who are in cancer treatment, who have other kind of chronic diseases, who are suffering from intense pain. There’s great, great anecdotal evidence but I want us to start doing the research.” Jimmy Kimmel Live, March 24, 2016
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“I think that states are the laboratories of democracy, and four states have already taken action to legalize, and it will be important that other states and the federal government take account of how that’s being done, what we learn from what they’re doing. I think that the states moving forward is appropriate and I think the federal government has to move to make this more available for research that they can then distribute to interested people across our country. I do think on the federal level we need to remove marijuana from the Schedule I of drugs, move it to Schedule II, which will permit it to be the basis for medical research because it’s important that we learn as much as possible. And since it was a Schedule I drug we haven’t done that research. A lot of experts in the field are telling me we’ve got to learn a lot more.” WBZ NewsRadio, January 25, 2016
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“What I do want is for us to support research into medical marijuana because a lot more states have passed medical marijuana than have legalized marijuana, so we’ve got two different experiences or even experiments going on right now.
“If we’re going to have a lot of states setting up marijuana dispensaries so that people who have some kind of medical need are getting marijuana, we need know what’s the quality of it, how much should you take, what should you avoid if you’re taking other medications.” The Huffington Post, November 7, 2015
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“I really believe it’s important that states like Colorado lead the way, so that we can learn what works and what doesn’t work. And I would certainly not want the federal government to interfere with the legal decision made by the people of Colorado, and enforced by your elected officials, as to how you should be conducting this business that you have approved. So, no, I want to give you the space and I want other states to learn from you, what works and what doesn’t work.” MSNBC, October 14, 2015
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When asked if she has taken a position on state marijuana legalization laws now that it has been a year since she said she wants to wait and see what happens in Colorado and Washington: “No. I think that we have the opportunity through the states that are pursuing recreational marijuana to find out a lot more than we know today. I do support the use of medical marijuana, and I think even there we need to do a lot more research so that we know exactly how we’re going to help people for whom medical marijuana provides relief.” 2016 Democratic Presidential Debate, October 13, 2015
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“Honestly, I don’t think we’ve done enough research yet to say what the effects are and what they could be on different people with different physical or psychological issues, different ages — yes, medical first and foremost, we ought to be doing more to make sure that we know how marijuana would interact with other prescription drugs and the like. But we also have to know how even medical marijuana impacts our kids and our communities.
“But the states are the laboratories of democracy, and we’re seeing states pass laws that enable their citizens to have access to medical marijuana under certain conditions, so we have the opportunity to try to study those. And then Colorado and Washington have proceeded to permit recreational use. And at the same time, we’re seeing the beginnings of important criminal justice reforms.
“So I’m a big believer in acquiring evidence, and I think we should see what kind of results we get, both from medical marijuana and from recreational marijuana before we make any far-reaching conclusions.
“I think the feds should be attuned to the way marijuana is still used as a gateway drug and how the drug cartels from Latin America use marijuana to get footholds in states, so there can’t be a total absence of law enforcement, but what I want to see, and I think we should be much more focused on this, is really doing good research so we know what it is we’re approving.” KPCC, July 22, 2014
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“I don’t think we’ve done enough research yet although I think for people who are in extreme medical conditions and have anecdotal evidence that it works, there should be availability under appropriate circumstances.
“On [laws allowing adult marijuana use], you know, states are the laboratories of democracy. We have at least two states that are experimenting with that right now. I want to wait and see what the evidence is.” CNN, June 2014
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Gary Johnson
Libertarian
GaryGradeFormer New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson was officially nominated for president by the Libertarian Party on May 29, 2016.
Grade: A+
Where does he stand?
Former Gov. Gary Johnson supports legalizing and regulating marijuana for medical and adult use. He has expressed support for legalizing marijuana at the federal level, removing it from the federal drug schedules, and allowing states to legalize and regulate marijuana for medical and adult use. He endorsed state ballot initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
The former governor has openly discussed his personal use of medical marijuana, and he served as the CEO of a medical marijuana business before stepping down to run for president.
The Marijuana Policy Project has endorsed Gary Johnson for president. In a statement to supporters, MPP Executive Director Rob Kampia noted that “legalization has been Johnson’s number-one issue for 17 years.” Kampia also explained: “Of the three presidential candidates who will appear on the ballot in all 50 states and D.C., Gary Johnson clearly has the best position on marijuana policy. When he first advocated for legalization in 1999, he was the highest-ranking public official in the U.S. to do so — as the sitting Republican governor of New Mexico, no less.”
What has he said?
“Over time, the politicians have ‘criminalized’ far too many aspects of people’s personal lives. The failed War on Drugs is, of course, the greatest example. Well over 100 million Americans have, at one time or another, used marijuana. Yet, today, simple possession and use of marijuana remains a crime — despite the fact that a majority of Americans now favor its legalization…
“Imagine [the Founding Fathers’] shock to learn that the government has decided it is appropriate to tell adults what they can put in their bodies — and even put them in jail for using marijuana, while allowing those same adults to consume alcohol and encouraging the medical profession to pump out addictive, deadly painkillers at will.” Gary Johnson 2016 Presidential Campaign Website, accessed May 25, 2016
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“The truth is that most marijuana smokers are people we associate with every day–law abiding, tax-paying, productive citizens. Bad personal decisions should not be criminal if they don’t harm anyone else. It is and should always be illegal to drive while you’re impaired or to commit crimes. But people will always use drugs. We can’t change that. Our real focus should be on reducing death, disease, crime and corruption. These problems are all related to drug prohibition, not drug use. But what I’ve found is that most people base their position on this issue on emotion instead of facts. The truth is that marijuana is safer than alcohol.” Seven Principles, p. 73-74, August 1, 2012, via OnTheIssues.org
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“The parallels between drug policy today and Prohibition in the 1920’s are obvious, as are the lessons our nation learned. Prohibition was repealed because it made matters worse. Today, no one is trying to sell our kids bathtub gin in the schoolyard and micro-breweries aren’t protecting their turf with machine guns. It’s time to apply that thinking to marijuana. By making it a legal, regulated product, availability can be restricted, under-age use curtailed, enforcement/court/incarceration costs reduced and the profit removed from a massive underground and criminal economy.
“By managing marijuana like alcohol and tobacco—regulating, taxing and enforcing its lawful use—America will be better off. Alcohol Prohibition (1920-1933) had only a minimal effect on the desire of Americans to drink but pushing alcohol underground had other effects: overdose deaths, gang violence, and other prohibition-related harms increased dramatically during the Prohibition years.” Gary Johnson 2012 Presidential Campaign Website, via OnTheIssues.org
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Jill Stein
Green
JillGradePhysician and 2012 Green Party Presidential Nominee Jill Stein is widely reported to be the presumptive nominee for the Green Party, which will officially nominate a candidate at its national convention scheduled for August 4-7, 2016.
Grade: A+
Where does she stand?
Dr. Stein supports legalizing and regulating marijuana for medical and adult use nationwide.
What has she said?
“As a medical doctor and public health advocate, people ask me all the time if marijuana is dangerous.
“Yes, marijuana is dangerous – because it’s illegal. It’s not inherently dangerous. It’s certainly less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, which are perfectly legal.
“The real danger of marijuana is the violence of the underground drug economy created by prohibition.
“Legalizing marijuana will end that violence, much like ending alcohol prohibition ended the violence of the illegal alcohol economy.
“It’s time to take marijuana off the black market, end crime and violence related to marijuana trafficking, stop wasting money and ruining lives by prosecuting victimless crimes, reduce prison populations, increase tax revenue, allow sick people their medicine, let farmers grow marijuana and hemp, and give responsible adults their freedom by legalizing it!
“As President, one of my first actions would be to order the DEA and the Justice Department to cease and desist all attempts to harass or prosecute medical marijuana clinics or other legitimate marijuana-related businesses that are operating under state laws.
“I would also direct DEA to remove marijuana from Schedule 1, the most dangerous category of drugs, and place it in a more appropriate category as determined by medical science. …
“Like Colorado, we can regulate marijuana in a similar way to alcohol once it’s legal.
“This would prevent billions of dollars in profits from pouring into the black market, and would greatly reduce the violence associated with illegal marijuana sales, including the drug wars ravaging Mexico and Central America. …
“Make no mistake, ending marijuana prohibition would be a huge win for freedom and social justice, and a major step towards the just, Green future we deserve.”
Jill Stein 2016 Presidential Campaign Website, April 20, 2016
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“It’s time to bring marijuana under a legal regulatory framework. Our current approach to the regulation of marijuana is a failure. It has resulted in a massive black market that is creating violence in our communities and pouring millions of dollars each year into the pockets of criminal supply networks. Taxpayers are footing the bill for ineffective law enforcement efforts and unnecessary judicial expenses. And the most that can be achieved is to keep a few people from purchasing an herb that appears to be much less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.
“It’s time to get rid of the black market and bring marijuana sales under a legal regulatory framework. In this way, we can staunch the flow of money to illegal drug networks, generate new funds for our communities, improve public safety, and create new jobs in growing hemp for food and fiber.
“As Governor I will appoint a Cannabis Reform Commission to investigate the best way to bring marijuana sales under the new regulatory framework.” Jill Stein 2010 Gubernatorial Campaign Website, via OnTheIssues.org
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Donald Trump
Republican
DonaldGradeGenBusinessman and television personality Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, which will officially nominate a candidate at its national convention scheduled for July 18-21, 2016.
Grade: C+
Where does he stand?
In 1990, Trump said he favored legalizing all drugs, but more recently he has said he opposes legalizing and regulating marijuana for adult use.
He supports legal access to medical marijuana, and he believes states should be able to set their own marijuana policies with regard to adult use.
What has he said?
“In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state. … Marijuana is such a big thing. I think medical should happen — right? Don’t we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states.” Washington Post, October 29, 20
"No Name No Gain" Anyone have some prospective on what is going on with this stock? Personally if I do not see some positive momentum buy the end of this month, I may sell and put any proceeds into a more productive pot stock. Financials, Name Change and some PR are overdue and I'm getting P.O.
Study: Medical Cannabis Making Inroads in Prescription Drug Market
Medical cannabis has likely made a serious dent in the prescription drug industry – to the tune of $165 million in market share in 2013, according to a new study published in the journal Health Affairs.
The study’s authors examined prescription information filled by Medicare Part D enrollees between 2010-2013. They looked specifically at ailments that could have been alternatively treated by cannabis, such as depression, anxiety, nausea, pain and glaucoma, Medical News Today reported.
As of 2013, 17 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., had legalized medical marijuana.
The analysis found that during those three years, the use of prescription medication took a nosedive. Daily doses of prescription drugs for pain shrunk by 1,826, for example, while doses for depression went down by 265.
The researchers estimated that the reduced reliance on prescription drugs equated to a savings of $165 million. The findings indicate the money is instead going toward medical cannabis as an alternative treatment.
The same study also estimated that if the entire United States had legalized MMJ in 2013, the populace would have saved $468 million that year on prescription drugs, much of which probably would have gone to cannabis sales.
Study: Medical Cannabis Making Inroads in Prescription Drug Market
Medical cannabis has likely made a serious dent in the prescription drug industry – to the tune of $165 million in market share in 2013, according to a new study published in the journal Health Affairs.
The study’s authors examined prescription information filled by Medicare Part D enrollees between 2010-2013. They looked specifically at ailments that could have been alternatively treated by cannabis, such as depression, anxiety, nausea, pain and glaucoma, Medical News Today reported.
As of 2013, 17 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., had legalized medical marijuana.
The analysis found that during those three years, the use of prescription medication took a nosedive. Daily doses of prescription drugs for pain shrunk by 1,826, for example, while doses for depression went down by 265.
The researchers estimated that the reduced reliance on prescription drugs equated to a savings of $165 million. The findings indicate the money is instead going toward medical cannabis as an alternative treatment.
The same study also estimated that if the entire United States had legalized MMJ in 2013, the populace would have saved $468 million that year on prescription drugs, much of which probably would have gone to cannabis sales.
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War On Weed’s End In Sight -
07/11/2016 08:55 pm ET | Updated 12 hours ago
Steve Dipaola / Reuters
The end of the federal government’s War On Weed is approaching fast. No matter how the details work out, that much seems pretty clear at this point. What began roughly 100 years ago as a racist legislative overreaction to Latino workers’ preferred method of relaxing — and was then ramped up (under Richard Nixon) to punish hippies and minorities and college students — could once again become sane governmental policy, ending almost a century’s institutional demonization of a fairly harmless natural substance. When it happens, it will be the most significant governmental shift on a pointless and endless social “war” since the end of Prohibition. The only remaining questions are how the mechanics of the war’s end will work out, and how fast it’ll happen. But whether it ends with a bang or a whimper, that end is definitely now in sight.
Consider the following developments (some very recent and some ongoing):
DEA about to report
The Drug Enforcement Agency is going to announce any day now their completion of a review of the status of marijuana under federal drug law. They had promised it’d be done by the end of June, so it’s already overdue. No matter what their review recommends, it may spur fundamental change in the legal status of marijuana.
Suppose the D.E.A. actually applies common sense and science to the federal classification of marijuana. If they do so, they will recommend a downgrade from Schedule I to at least Schedule II (although a strong case could be made for Schedules III through V just as easily, depending on how you interpret the concept of “abuse” of marijuana). If the D.E.A. leads the way, the process will be fairly smooth and fairly quick. But even if they dig in their heels (they are the nation’s drug warriors, after all) and refuse to recommend any change, they might just spark a backlash from other parts of the government.
Obama could act on his own, after the election
One of President Obama’s campaign promises was to stop letting politics trump science in federal policy. He has had a very mixed record on this issue, however, as evidenced by the long (and pointless) battle his administration fought against allowing over-the-counter sales of the “Plan B” emergency contraceptive. Obama also consistently treated any suggestion of changes in federal marijuana policy as a joke to be laughed off, for pretty much his entire first term in office. His first attorney general sent some awfully conflicting guidelines out to federal prosecutors on marijuana policy — first seeming to relax enforcement and then to tighten it back up. This confusion did eventually end, and the Department of Justice has now (mostly) taken a hands-off stance to states with legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana.
This is important, because it is not ultimately the D.E.A.’s decision how marijuana is classified — it is instead the attorney general’s decision. Congress doesn’t even need to be involved with any shift in policy, because the attorney general can change the federal government’s classification with her signature alone. So even if the D.E.A. review refuses to recognize that “the times they are a changin’,” the Justice Department can easily overrule them and go ahead and reschedule marijuana. President Obama might just order this to happen on his way out of office, during the lame-duck period after the election, no matter what the D.E.A. has to say about it. What would a self-described former member of the “Choom Gang” have to lose, at that point?
Congress could act as well
Even if the D.E.A. proves recalcitrant and the Obama administration isn’t bold enough to reschedule on their own, Congress may get involved. A bill which will remove all the needless red tape from medical research on marijuana is working its way through the House right now, and it is notable for who has sponsored it — not just pro-marijuana congressmen, but also some of the most avidly anti-marijuana congressmen as well. It is no longer a politically acceptable stance to deny doctors from even studying marijuana’s benefits anymore — another measure of how the War On Weed is winding down.
For years, marijuana research was only allowed if the hypothesis was some version of: “Marijuana’s bad for you... mmm-kay?” No science was permitted with the aim of proving any benefits at all — and then politicians and the medical establishment could sanctimoniously fight against legalizing medical marijuana with the Catch-22 excuse of “no solid research has been done, therefore marijuana can’t be considered a medicine.” As Doc Daneeka might have explained to Yossarian: “Doctors say medical marijuana isn’t a proven medicine until they see studies scientifically showing the benefits, but research showing any beneficial uses doesn’t actually exist — because any researcher who tries to prove beneficial uses is denied the permission to conduct such research by the government — so this scientific evidence will never actually be allowed to exist.” That was then, but now even the most strident anti-drug congressmen are working to remove this enormous Catch-22 situation, forever.
Democratic Party officially calls for change
This one has a worrisome undertone to it, because of the way it happened. Still, it’s a positive development any way you look at it. This weekend, in a showdown between Bernie Sanders supporters and Hillary Clinton supporters, a plank was inserted in the Democratic Party platform document that called for a “path to legalization” for marijuana. This is stunning, because the subject hasn’t been addressed by either party in such a direct fashion since at least the 1970s. Sanders, in his campaign, called for “descheduling” marijuana — treating it like alcohol, essentially, and moving its regulation over to the folks who now oversee tobacco and alcohol (instead of the drug warriors). This was proposed by the Sanders supporters at the platform committee meeting, but the idea was voted down. Compromise language was offered instead (with the “path to legalization” language) which called for at least rescheduling marijuana down from Schedule I. This passed by only one vote (out of over 150 cast). The worrisome aspect was that the Clinton people fought so hard against it — fighting for timidity rather than leadership, as Democrats have been regularly doing on the issue ever since they were badly spooked by Republican charges of being “soft on crime,” back in the 1980s and 1990s.
A platform document fight doesn’t guarantee how Hillary Clinton will treat the matter once in the Oval Office, however. Both Clinton and Obama, if you’ll remember, were publicly against gay marriage in the 2008 campaign (timidity ruled the day on the issue among Democratic leadership, back then). But look where we are now — Obama realized that he needed to “evolve” on the issue and politically it has done him a lot of good. He’ll go down in history as the boldest president on gay rights of all time, in fact. Clinton could wind up doing the same on marijuana, too, no matter how timidly she’s approached the issue so far during this year’s campaign.
Legalize it
Even though the federal government states (as part of the Schedule I definition) that marijuana has “no accepted medical use,” half of the United States have now legalized such medical use. Half. Depending on how you count, the number of such states is now at least 25 (some states have severe restrictions, red tape, and other hoops such as only allowing CBD oils and other non-euphoric forms, to treat diseases such as epilepsy). The tide on medical use has already turned and nobody will ever force this genie back into the bottle again.
The voters of four states — and the District of Columbia, the seat of our national government — have completely thrown in the towel altogether and just legalized adult recreational use of marijuana. The sky has not fallen in any of these jurisdictions. The sun rises, the sun sets, and the hellscape predicted by those against legalization has not materialized at all. This year, California voters will get a chance to vote on recreational legalization in November. California is the biggest market in the entire country — if the state were its own country, it would have the sixth largest economy in the world. And California won’t be alone. Seven other states may also have the opportunity to vote to legalize this November. Which means by the end of this year, marijuana may be fully legal for any adult to buy openly in over 10 states. This isn’t quite the tipping point that medical marijuana has already reached, but it may be the biggest step towards such a tipping point yet taken.
Double the budgetary impact
Once other states see how much tax revenue is generated by states who have legalized recreational use, it’s going to be pretty hard to argue against allowing such taxes to be collected. But marijuana legalization actually has a two-fold impact on state budgets. First, there’s the tax revenue to be collected — and marijuana smokers are just about the only political group in the country who are currently actually begging to be taxed. Think about that, especially seen through the eyes of a conservative politician. Who else is not going to complain about paying new taxes, after all?
But it gets even better, because the secondary budget impact is that millions of dollars (billions, when all states are added together) in law enforcement funds will be saved by not having to hassle with low-level pot busts anymore. Cops will be freed up to concentrate on other things, and new tax revenue will flow in at the same time. That is a double benefit to any state trying to put together a yearly budget — and it’s going to become more and more irresistible over time, especially to those who profess themselves to be fiscal conservatives.
War On Weed’s end
In conclusion, although it is impossible to see precisely which path we’ll take at this point, the federal government’s War On Weed is almost over. Its days are numbered. The end is in sight.
It won’t happen overnight, of course. Even it the D.E.A. gives its approval and Loretta Lynch acts immediately, rescheduling marijuana on the Controlled Substances list isn’t going to be the last gasp. The war won’t truly be over until the last vestiges of the federal government’s wrongheaded policies have been reversed entirely. What would this look like? It would have many facets, because the idiocy behind the policy has become so ingrained in federal law.
First and foremost, federal officials would not be strangled by gag laws which now prevent them from even publicly admitting that marijuana is not as dangerous as heroin. This has got to be the biggest piece of idiocy in the entire misguided War On Weed, but it’ll be the easiest to change.
More concretely, marijuana businesses need to stop being persecuted for what they sell. Right now, it is impossible for many of these businesses to use the banking system. The federal penalties for laundering money from drug trafficking are so severe that the banks refuse to allow marijuana businesses — completely legal ones, in states where they are allowed — from opening an account. That has got to change. Marijuana businesses should not be forced to operate on a cash basis (what other business is?) and instead should be treated like any other wholesaler or retailer in the country. Tax laws also need to reflect this normalization. As of now, marijuana businesses can’t legally claim common business expenses like employee salaries or rent — again, like every other business in operation is allowed to. This will require a shift in the federal tax code.
Medical research on marijuana should be approved just like research on any other substance. Marijuana supplies for such research should be allowed from anywhere, instead of one government farm being a bottleneck for such research supplies. No extra approvals by a multitude of departments should be necessary any more (the hoops that such research has to jump through are still on the order of Catch-22, even after some recent improvements have been made). Doctors should be able to get solid scientific studies which show effectiveness and which also start to break down the dozens of chemicals in the plant to more accurately prescribe their use for different medical conditions.
Marijuana should really become legal on federal property, so that campers in a National Park aren’t at risk of punishments they wouldn’t face if they stepped outside the park’s boundaries. But this brings up a much wider point — what I see as the real end of the road for the fight to dismantle the federal War On Weed. Prohibition required a constitutional amendment to end, and at least we won’t have that hurdle to get over. But the War On Weed’s end is going to look a lot like how Prohibition ended in one enormous way.
The states have to be given full control — up to a point — over how marijuana will be treated. The end to the federal War On Weed won’t mean marijuana will be legalized in all 50 states the next day, but that’s actually OK. Indeed, Prohibition hasn’t actually ended yet in many counties across America. “Dry” counties still exist in plenty of states, where the sale of alcohol is absolutely forbidden. Alcohol can’t be sold on Sundays in lots of other places (so much for separation of church and state). In some places “near beer” is the only thing you can buy (which is pretty horrendous stuff to drink, it should be mentioned). In other places, Everclear (190-proof grain alcohol) is illegal, but Bacardi 151 can be purchased. Laws still differ everywhere, in other words, concerning the legal purchase of alcohol. But here’s the crucial footnote to this patchwork of alcohol laws across America: you can buy a bottle of liquor legally (in a “wet” county, of course) and then get in your car and legally drive to any place in America, wet or dry — without having to worry about getting busted by the cops for having an unopened bottle of hooch in your car. As long as you consume it in private, mere possession of alcohol is not banned by law anywhere in America.
That is the real end of the road for marijuana, as well. No matter how all the rest of the details are worked out, this is when the war will fully be over. It’s a monumental shift in federal policy, so it’ll likely happen incrementally, but even so it may happen a lot sooner than you might think. These things have a way of steamrolling, in politics. The first step is taken (boldly or timidly), and then the next steps become easier because the logic supporting the entire War On Weed will begin to fall apart. “Why do we bother to still ban this, when we are now allowing that to take place?” becomes the question with no defensible answer (other than the wholly-inadequate: “Well, because we’ve always done it that way”). The framework will collapse of its own weight, and sometimes these collapses happen very swiftly. If 40 million Californians can enjoy the same freedom that citizens of Colorado and Oregon now enjoy, then the federal government is going to look pretty silly trying to turn back this tide. To some, the federal War On Weed won’t be over until everyone affected receives an apology for all the idiocy (a full presidential pardon for Tommy Chong, perhaps?), but realistically speaking the end will happen when the government does exactly what Bernie Sanders boldly called for during his campaign — the federal government treating marijuana not the same way it treats heroin or crystal meth, but the same way it treats alcohol and tobacco.
That was once a pipe dream, if you’ll excuse the stoner-joke metaphor. For anyone who has lived through the War On Weed era, it seemed at times that the federal government was going so far backwards that such an end could not even realistically be conceived. But times are changing fast. The once-inconceivable hasn’t quite become inevitable yet, but even so the end of the War On Weed is definitely now on the political horizon. Politicians should really take note, because they’re now at risk of being on the wrong side of history. The old movement slogan has never seemed more appropriate, in fact: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” Those are really the only choices left for the politicians, as the people in state after state jettison the War On Weed on their own, at the ballot box.
I concur 2times2 and have purchased shares as high as 0031 if this takes off this sub penny stock will be a supper bargain at these prices. My concern is no news, nothing so I'm just holding what I have for now. GLTA
I tried to shake the longs up a couple of times Pintus but nobody has anything to say. I put up some DD a few times, not much interest here right now. I guess there just waiting and watching. It would be nice to see some sign of life. I hope this company puts up some news soon or there may be some selling.
Any name change suggestions?
I like "Iusdtosellhomesnowisellpotstrips" LOL
Attention, stoners of America: You now have a party to vote for. The Democratic party has made marijuana reform an official part of its 2016 platform.
Going forward, Democrats will "encourage the federal government to remove marijuana from its list as a Class 1 Federal Controlled Substance, providing a reasoned pathway for future legalization."
More from Newsy: Californians Will Vote On Recreational Weed In November
Right now, pot is in the most dangerous category known as Schedule 1. The DEA says Schedule 1 drugs have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." That puts marijuana next to drugs like heroin, LSD and quaaludes.
Doctors have prescribed pot to help treat seizures and chronic pain while providing an alternative to addictive opioid painkillers. As a Schedule 1 drug, there are some legal barriers making it tough to study the effects of marijuana.
The move is seen as a big win for Bernie Sanders supporters, who pushed for marijuana reform at the Democratic platform committee meeting Saturday. But the two presumptive party nominees could be on board as well.
Hillary Clinton has previously expressed her support for rescheduling marijuana to study its health benefits, and Donald Trump said marijuana laws should be left up to individual states.
Attention, stoners of America:
You now have a party to vote for. The Democratic party has made marijuana reform an official part of its 2016 platform.
Going forward, Democrats will "encourage the federal government to remove marijuana from its list as a Class 1 Federal Controlled Substance, providing a reasoned pathway for future legalization."
More from Newsy: Californians Will Vote On Recreational Weed In November
Right now, pot is in the most dangerous category known as Schedule 1. The DEA says Schedule 1 drugs have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." That puts marijuana next to drugs like heroin, LSD and quaaludes.
Doctors have prescribed pot to help treat seizures and chronic pain while providing an alternative to addictive opioid painkillers. As a Schedule 1 drug, there are some legal barriers making it tough to study the effects of marijuana.
The move is seen as a big win for Bernie Sanders supporters, who pushed for marijuana reform at the Democratic platform committee meeting Saturday. But the two presumptive party nominees could be on board as well.
Hillary Clinton has previously expressed her support for rescheduling marijuana to study its health benefits, and Donald Trump said marijuana laws should be left up to individual states.
Why Marijuana Legalization Will Bring Massive Profits to Investors in 2016
By Diane Alter, Contributing Writer, Money Morning • July 8, 2016
marijuana legalizationMarijuana legalization has become a mainstream movement. There are 25 states – and Washington, D.C. – that have laws legalizing marijuana in some form.
That means investors are about to be set up for some big profit opportunities from the marijuana market in 2016.
Before we get into how profitable the U.S. marijuana industry will become, here's what you need to know about the movement toward tolerant marijuana legislation…
The Scope and Size of Marijuana Legalization in the United States
Of the states that have some kind of legal marijuana laws in place, D.C. and four states – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington – have legalized it for recreational use.
Trending: Oil Prices Could Gain As Much 32% Thanks To This Event
Meanwhile, 20 more states have legalized cannabis for medicinal use only. These include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Back in May, Louisiana lawmakers amended the state's existing medical marijuana law. The new state law said doctors are permitted to recommend – rather than prescribe – medical marijuana. The Louisiana law also expanded the list of eligible conditions for cannabis treatment to include seizure disorders, HIV, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis.
Nevada, Florida, and Maine will vote on cannabis law reform in November. Eight other states are collecting signatures to bring marijuana legalization to a vote. These states include Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.
The growing acceptance of marijuana use shows in the industry's sales figures.
These numbers show just how big the industry has become – and how big it will be in the next few years…
How Marijuana Legalization Is Boosting Revenue and Sales Figures
As more states legalize pot, sales and tax revenue will continue to grow. That will make marijuana stocks much more attractive over the long term.
According to cannabis research agency ArcView Market Research, sales of legal marijuana increased 17% to $5.4 billion last year. Sales are expected to grow another 25% this year to $6.7 billion.
In fact, ArcView reported the U.S. marijuana market could post $21.8 billion in annual sales by 2020. That's 72% higher than the National Football League's 2015 revenue of $12.7 billion.
This huge sales growth reflects the changing attitudes toward marijuana use.
According to a 2015 study by Pew Research Center, most American adults favor marijuana legalization. Roughly 56% think it should be legal, while only 44% believe it should be illegal. Among those under 35 years old, 68% were in the "legal" camp.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) even gave the medical marijuana market a nod of approval. According to its website, the institute performed a study that found active cannabis ingredients like THC and CBD helped kill certain cancer cells. The research also concluded that marijuana could fight off the cancerous side effects of radiation exposure.
Laws regulating marijuana distribution are also changing alongside public opinion…
In Alaska, adults aged 21 and older can now legally transport, buy, or possess up to an ounce of marijuana. As of July 1, adults in Oregon are permitted to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in public and eight ounces in their homes.
With the marijuana's market size and medical applications quickly growing, investment opportunities will present themselves over the long termtiming just doesn't get any better
Big Sales Predicted for Hawaii MMJ Dispensaries
Hawaii’s new medical marijuana dispensaries are expected to ring up $12.7 million to $38 million in sales during their first year of business, a report from the Hawaii Dispensary Association predicts.
By 2018, sales could surge to as much as $145 million, according to the association’s report.
The initial sales projections are based on a patient count of 14,074 MMJ patients, with each patient expected to spend $100 to $300 per month.
The association’s projections roughly correlate with those of the 2016 Marijuana Business Factbook, which predicts that Hawaii dispensary sales will range from $15 million to $30 million in the first 12 months of operation.
By 2018, the association predicts that sales will increase exponentially as Hawaii phases out home growing. That change that will likely send many more patients to the dispensary market.
Also by 2018, there will be 40,075 MMJ patients in the state, the report forecasts. That would bring revenue to anywhere from $48.3 million to $145 million, with a “likely target” of $80.6 million. The forecast is based on the same patient spending assumptions.
The 2018 figures do not include medical marijuana patient tourists, which the report predicts could number between 63,000 to 128,000. Based on those numbers, MMJ tourists could inject an additional $1.3 million to $58 million in revenue.
Under Hawaii’s MMJ program, the state is slated to have up to 16 dispensaries scattered among four islands.
Daily News | Briefs | Dispensary/Retail Store Business News | Hawaii Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News
Big Sales Predicted for Hawaii MMJ Dispensaries
Hawaii’s new medical marijuana dispensaries are expected to ring up $12.7 million to $38 million in sales during their first year of business, a report from the Hawaii Dispensary Association predicts.
By 2018, sales could surge to as much as $145 million, according to the association’s report.
The initial sales projections are based on a patient count of 14,074 MMJ patients, with each patient expected to spend $100 to $300 per month.
The association’s projections roughly correlate with those of the 2016 Marijuana Business Factbook, which predicts that Hawaii dispensary sales will range from $15 million to $30 million in the first 12 months of operation.
By 2018, the association predicts that sales will increase exponentially as Hawaii phases out home growing. That change that will likely send many more patients to the dispensary market.
Also by 2018, there will be 40,075 MMJ patients in the state, the report forecasts. That would bring revenue to anywhere from $48.3 million to $145 million, with a “likely target” of $80.6 million. The forecast is based on the same patient spending assumptions.
The 2018 figures do not include medical marijuana patient tourists, which the report predicts could number between 63,000 to 128,000. Based on those numbers, MMJ tourists could inject an additional $1.3 million to $58 million in revenue.
Under Hawaii’s MMJ program, the state is slated to have up to 16 dispensaries scattered among four islands.
Daily News | Briefs | Dispensary/Retail Store Business News | Hawaii Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News
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Lots of preparation by the California cities and counties. All within the last 30 days, many just in the past few days, and these are just some of them:
Palm Springs area cities, tribe vie for marijuana wealth
http://www.desertsun.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/06/15/desert-hot-springs-coachella-cathedral-city-marijuana/83620324/
Medical marijuana initiative qualifies for Long Beach ballot:
http://www.presstelegram.com/general-news/20160705/medical-marijuana-initiative-qualifies-for-long-beach-ballot
City of Richmond Approves Huge Expansion to Medical Cannabis Industry:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2016/06/28/richmond-siezes-lead-in-east-bay-medical-cannabis
Fillmore council votes to put medical marijuana tax on November ballot:
http://www.vcstar.com/news/local/fillmore/fillmore-council-votes-to-put-medical-marijuana-tax-on-november-ballot-3554e863-f32e-4375-e053-01000-383306431.html
Santa Barbara Considers 20 Percent Tax on Medical, Recreational Marijuana:
http://www.independent.com/news/2016/jun/30/city-considers-20-percent-tax-medical-recreational/
Grover Beach moves ahead on marijuana sales tax measure:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article87998497.html
Coalinga legalizes medical marijuana cultivation:
-City also sells vacant prison to grower for $4.1 million
-Ordinances lay out strict requirements for cultivation
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article88377122.html
San Diego may levy local marijuana tax:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jun/17/kersey-marijuana-tax-recreational-medical-legal/
Costa Mesa medical marijuana measure allows manufacturing and distribution, but no dispensaries:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-721730-marijuana-medical.html
San Bernardino Will (Finally) Vote on Cannabis Regulation:
http://www.cannalawblog.com/san-bernardino-will-finally-vote-on-cannabis-regulation/
The DEA's Second Look At Marijuana
July 06, 2016, 08:19:25 AM EDT By Slingshot Insights, SeekingAlpha
The DEA ruling on whether or not to reschedule marijuana down from a class Schedule 1 substance comes out this summer and could present the few companies currently making cannabinoid-based drugs with a big opportunity.
). Currently, marijuana sits in the most restrictive class option (more restrictive than cocaine), deemed by the DEA to have " no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse ." Option 2 will focus on the likelihood of a marijuana reclassification and how it might impact pharma.
From Forbes Pot Stocks Will Be Huge
With pot now legal in two states for the past year,and decriminalized, conditionally legal, or medically prescribed in many more, ganja startups are gaining traction — and the growth potential is huge, if other states legalize. So far this year, pot stocks are up 147%, handily beating the S&P’s more modest gains, according to consulting and financial services firm Viridian Capital & Research.
Which companies are doing well? Viridian has created a cannabis industry report that tracks the progress of publicly traded companies in the emerging sector. For now, they’re all trading over-the-counter, but watch for that to change.
From Forbes Pot Stocks will be huge
With pot now legal in two states for the past year,and decriminalized, conditionally legal, or medically prescribed in many more, ganja startups are gaining traction — and the growth potential is huge, if other states legalize. So far this year, pot stocks are up 147%, handily beating the S&P’s more modest gains, according to consulting and financial services firm Viridian Capital & Research.
Which companies are doing well? Viridian has created a cannabis industry report that tracks the progress of publicly traded companies in the emerging sector. For now, they’re all trading over-the-counter, but watch for that to change.
Adding another 35K next week if SP stays or dips.
Medicare prescription costs drop after medical marijuana legalized
It Looks Like Medical Marijuana Is Burning Up Prescription Drugs In the United States, costs of prescription drugs continue to soar. While this puts an additional burden on many Americans, the older generation may be feeling it the worst.
One factor, however, is leading costs to actually drop: The legalization of medicinal marijuana. Research released by Health Affairs this week claim that since legalization of the medical use of the drug in several states, costs to Medicare Part D have dropped.
SEE ALSO: One insult sparks 30-person fight at Walmart
Medicare Part D focuses on drug costs for those apart of the program; patients must opt in and pay a premium for their prescriptions rather than individualized costs.
Doctors may recommend medical marijuana to treat symptoms like chronic pain, depression or anxiety. It may be used as a replacement for antidepressants and painkillers. Because the demand for those drugs has decreased as patients opt for marijuana for treatment, costs have declined.
Medical marijuana is now legal in 25 states and Washington DC. The latest states to allow the drug are Ohio and Pennsylvania, which passed laws just this year. It may come to a vote in Florida and Missouri this November.
Research concluded that the legalization of medical marijuana reduced Medicare costs by $165 million in 2013. If it were available nationwide, they estimated that figure to be $470 million. The abstract of the study noted, "The availability of medical marijuana has a significant effect on prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D."
While this is just a small fraction of Part D costs -- estimated to be $99 billion in 2013 -- researchers say it is still significant.
"We wouldn't say that saving money is the reason to adopt this. But it should be part of the discussion," said W. David Bradford, a University of Georgia professor and co-author of the study. He added, "We think it's pretty good indirect evidence that people are using this as medication."
Medicare prescription costs drop after medical marijuana legalized
It Looks Like Medical Marijuana Is Burning Up Prescription Drug Sales
In the United States, costs of prescription drugs continue to soar. While this puts an additional burden on many Americans, the older generation may be feeling it the worst.
One factor, however, is leading costs to actually drop: The legalization of medicinal marijuana. Research released by Health Affairs this week claim that since legalization of the medical use of the drug in several states, costs to Medicare Part D have dropped.
Medicare Part D focuses on drug costs for those apart of the program; patients must opt in and pay a premium for their prescriptions rather than individualized costs.
Doctors may recommend medical marijuana to treat symptoms like chronic pain, depression or anxiety. It may be used as a replacement for antidepressants and painkillers. Because the demand for those drugs has decreased as patients opt for marijuana for treatment, costs have declined.
Medical marijuana is now legal in 25 states and Washington DC. The latest states to allow the drug are Ohio and Pennsylvania, which passed laws just this year. It may come to a vote in Florida and Missouri this November.
Research concluded that the legalization of medical marijuana reduced Medicare costs by $165 million in 2013. If it were available nationwide, they estimated that figure to be $470 million. The abstract of the study noted, "The availability of medical marijuana has a significant effect on prescribing patterns and spending in Medicare Part D."
While this is just a small fraction of Part D costs -- estimated to be $99 billion in 2013 -- researchers say it is still significant.
"We wouldn't say that saving money is the reason to adopt this. But it should be part of the discussion," said W. David Bradford, a University of Georgia professor and co-author of the study. He added, "We think it's pretty good indirect evidence that people are using this as medication."
I hope the DEA listens to this, great video. School down to view the video
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Stephen Cohen tearing into Botticelli... war on drugs zar
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-a-congressman-whos-had-it-tell-a-leader-of-the-war-on-drugs-exactly-what-he-needs-to-hear?c=ufb1
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Wow Goggle next MJ player
Google Preparing to Work With the Cannabis Industry? Google logo
By Omar Sacirbey
Is global technology giant Google the latest major U.S. corporation to kick the tires of the marijuana industry?
It could be. Signs suggest the Mountain View, California-based company is exploring the opportunity to work with cannabis businesses.
An executive with Colorado-based LivWell Enlightened Health – one of the largest marijuana retail chains in the country – recently disclosed Google’s interest in the industry at an event for Congressman Jared Polis, a longtime supporter of the cannabis sector.
LivWell CEO John Lord told the audience that Google recently contacted him to see how it could help serve the industry.
According to Lord, Google reached out soon after Los Angeles-based Kind Financial announced last month that it has partnered with software giant Microsoft to offer seed-to-sale tracking systems for governments to keep track of marijuana commerce.
Lord made the comments at an event hosted by the infused products company Dixie Brands to support Polis.
A LivWell spokesman confirmed the Google contact in a subsequent email to Marijuana Business Daily.
“I can confirm that Google did reach out and ask if we would be interested in speaking with them about the industry’s needs and how Google could potentially work with us to address them,” Matthew Givner, a LivWell spokesman, wrote in an email. “Beyond that there has been no communication.”
Google didn’t respond to requests for comment. It’s unclear if the tech giant has been in contact with other marijuana-related companies, why it reached out to LivWell specifically and what type of involvement it could have in the industry.
If Google were to become involved in the cannabis industry it would join a small but growing number of big corporations including Microsoft and Arrow Electronics, a Fortune 150 company that provides electronic components and services. Both have recently disclosed that they are working with cannabis-related companies.
To have a company the size and visibility of Google looking into the cannabis industry would provide a tremendous boost to marijuana businesses, according to one industry analyst.
And, in LivWell’s case, the company actually sells recreational and medical marijuana – unlike the two marijuana-related firms teamed with Microsoft and Arrow. Those two ancillary businesses don’t “touch” the marijuana plant but instead provide cannabis-related services and products.
“Any time a gigantic corporation gets involved with a company that touches, that’s phenomenal,” California-based industry consultant Avis Bulbulyan said. “The more companies, the bigger the companies, the better it is for the industry.”
LivWell, which is headquartered in the Denver metro area, is one of the biggest marijuana retailers in Colorado, operating 14 shops around the state. It also has two cultivation sites. The company was founded in 2009.
Google’s parent, Alphabet Inc., ranks 36 on the Fortune 500 and employs more than 60,000 people. Its annual revenues total more than $70 billion.
Google is the parent company’s core unit, and is well known for web-based search, its lucrative advertising business, the Android mobile operating system, and the YouTube video network.
Google’s advertising services would be among the services that cannabis companies might find helpful.
Bulbulyan said that if Google is serious about reaching out to the cannabis industry it would certainly encourage other companies to do the same. “This will open doors for other companies to get involved,” he added
It may even reduce “cannaphobia” among big companies like Facebook and Instagram, Bulbulyan noted. Both have shut down cannabis accounts.
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft was the first major corporation to publicly disclose its involvement in the marijuana industry.
Less than a week later, MyDx – a San Diego maker of handheld chemical analyzers that allow consumers to check the potency of marijuana strains – announced that Arrow Electronics will help manufacture its line of analyzers.
While Microsoft and Arrow are partnering with specific companies, Bulbulyan wasn’t sure why Google would get involved with any one company, and speculated that its contact with LivWell was more out of a desire to help the industry.
Omar Sacirbey can be reached at omars@mjbizmedia.com
Daily News | Ancillary Marijuana Companies | Colorado Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News | Dispensary/Retail Store Business News | Featured
Buying another 200K next week
Check this out
So...this opioid act today is in the very final stages of getting enacted into law by congress. It's already passed both the House and senate but is in final negotiations today. If it passes with Cohen's amendments attached, then congress will have rescheduled MJ to schedule 2. I'm not kidding. Check it out on Govtrack and in this article:
Congress to Hash Out Final Bill Aimed at Opioid Epidemic
Lawmakers in Congress will meet on Wednesday to forge final legislation to tackle the country’s deadly opioid epidemic, a day after Democrats, supported by the White House, promised to oppose the bill unless it included far more money for treating addicts.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/us/politics/congress-to-hash-out-final-bill-aimed-at-opioid-epidemic.html?ref=politics&_r=1
Here is the Bill on Govtrack:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s524
Here are the amendments again:
List
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20160706/105173/HMTG-114-IF00-20160706-SD004.pdf
Cohen's MJ amendments
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20160706/105173/HMTG-114-IF00-Wstate-SteveCohenD-TNR-20160706-SD002.pdf
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF00/20160706/105173/HMTG-
Waiting for news, edge of my chair. Go time soon DEA has to make some change concerning schedule 1. Lots of pressure on them to do something.