Medical Marijuana: A Growing Industry
It is difficult to ignore the growing business environment around the production and sale of medical marijuana, even if there is no word game intended. With medical marijuana now legal in 33 states and Columbia districts, the market is booming.
Treating a Wide Range of Illnesses
THC has been demonstrated to address certain conditions for the active ingredient in marijuana effectively. It can help with nausea, movement disorders, neurogenic pain, insomnia, and glaucoma signs and symptoms.
It can help with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and fibromyalgia. THC appears to prevent the formation of plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to recent research.
Of course, more research is needed to determine what conditions can be helped by medical marijuana, but even this shortlist is encouraging.
Not Just Smoking
The opponents of medical marijuana are strongly opposed to the most common ingestion method: smoking. However, many safer methods of marijuana are available.
Who Can Grow It?
One of the most challenging aspects of obtaining medical marijuana is determining who is allowed to grow it and what kind of marijuana they can grow. States that have legalized marijuana for medical purposes have guidelines to determine if and whatever the amount of marijuana a person can grow or own. For dispensaries, things are a bit more complicated.
California enables the growing of plants by patients and caregivers. However, a large part of the product that reaches the market is grown on small farms that still operate without legislation.
A large store recently opened in Sacramento, CA, that specializes in information and supplies. There is no marijuana or plants sold in the shop. Some plants are displayed but belong and are removed by licensed people and removed before their flower.
Licensed Dispensaries
It takes efforts to open a dispensary of medical marijuana. The requirements differ slightly in each of the states where the sale of medical marijuana is legal. Businesses must apply for a license and provide proof that the storefront is either owned by the company or approved by the leaser. Some states require creating a security plan, while others are asking for income statements, etc.
One of the most challenging aspects of operating these legal businesses is obtaining a full range of business services, such as service provider debts for processing credit card sales or bank accounts, because marijuana is only legal on a state level, not federally.
The potential tax base generated by medical marijuana is perhaps the most compelling argument that the government will respond to. It is difficult to turn away all much-needed sources of income during difficult economic times.