Israel, Canada Want A Piece Of New York's Medical Marijuana

For years the United States worried about drugs crossing our borders from other countries, now it seems other countries are crossing our border to get into drugs. Namely – cannabis. While most believe that the U.S. is conservative in its approach to marijuana, the recent push for legalization has suddenly thrust America’s marketplace into a cannabis leadership position. The potential for the U.S. market is so big, that companies from other countries want in. Israel wants in on the action in New York. Marijuana is illegal in the country, but in a twist, the country is a world leader on its research into the medical uses of marijuana. Tikun Olam, which means ‘healing the world’ in Hebrew, is the only large-scale industrial producer of cannabis in Israel and operates under a license from the Israel Ministry of Health. Tikun Olam announced that it was partnering with Compassionate Care Center of New York and applying to be a Registered Organization under New York’s Compassionate Care Act. credit should read HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images) Tikun Olam has the most extensive patient treatment database in the field of medical marijuana with over 10,000 patients being monitored for nearly a decade. A Tikun Olam spokesman said, “We have been waiting for the climate in America to be right for us to enter the market with pharmaceutical-grade products, and now that New York and other states have taken an FDA-styled extract-only approach, we feel we will have the greatest impact on patient health without the risks associated with a more loosely-regulated system.” If the CCC of NY gets a license from the State of New York, it will have exclusive rights to the Tikun strains which are unique and known as being the highest quality cannabis grades in the world. MedReleaf , another Canadian manufacturer of medical-grade cannabis announced it entered into an exclusive partnership with New York State Compassionate Care Center of New York. CCCNY has also applied for one of the five licenses to be awarded in New York State and while it hasn’t gotten any approvals, it has established a greenhouse in Newark, NY ready for immediate production. MedReleaf operates a 55,000 square foot facility in Markham, Ontario and is one of the largest suppliers in the Canadian market. Tikun Olam is also partnered with MedReleaf in Canada and grows some of Tikun’s proprietary strains. Canada has been very progressive in setting up its medical marijuana program and the companies there want to expand. Tilray, a leading cannabis cultivator in the country is busy sponsoring events in this country and has applied for a New York State medical marijuana license. Tilray prides itself on its product quality and ethics. The producer formed a new ethics group in Canada after it was learned that some medical marijuana producers were offering kickbacks to doctors. The Canadian Cannabis Medical Industry Association was unable to agree on a code of ethics causing Tilray to create the Canadian Medical Cannabis Council. No doubt that will look good to the Americans. The changes taking place in the US are also affecting Mexico, another long time black market partner. Marijuana seizures at the border are half of what they were five years ago. Mexican farmers are ripping up their cannabis plants and turning to subsidized tomatoes. Mexico decriminalized small amounts of pot, but hasn’t gone as far as the US in legalization. The drug cartels are switching to more expensive products like heroin and luxury strains from Colorado are in demand in Mexico according to Bloomberg and creating a reverse in the trafficking. The exchange goes both ways. Jamaica may have an established black market business, but its looking to U.S. firms to become legitimate. Jamaica only recently decriminalized marijuana, which is hard to believe that it wasn’t already legal. Any tourist to the country was usually offered ganja on the shuttle bus from the airport to their hotel. Jamaica, the biggest supplier of black market pot to the U.S., kept it illegal to make officials in this country happy. With our laws easing up, they felt like they had the green light to acknowledge that marijuana shouldn’t be punished within its country. United Cannabis Corp based in Colorado has launched a partnership with Jamaican agencies for a marijuana research and development facility. The Cannabinoid Research & Development Company is considering a headquarters in Kingston Jamaica for pharmaceutical research and with the goal to standardize strains. As the domestic cannabis growers become more established, it isn’t inconceivable they too will want to take their knowledge and experience to other markets. As the medical marijuana market matures, global partnerships will become more frequent blurring those old drug wars.

Teens Don’t Smoke More Pot After Medical Marijuana Laws Passed, Study Finds

Researchers find no measurable impact from legalization of marijuana in 21 states New research has cast serious doubts on the argument that legalization of medical marijuana would lead to more widespread use among teenagers. The study, which was published Tuesday by Columbia University researchers in the The Lancet Psychiatry, examined marijuana use among more than a million teenagers over 24 years. The researchers found no discernible impact in the 21 states that had legalized the drug for medical use. “The risk of marijuana use in states before passing medical marijuana laws did not differ significantly from the risk after medical marijuana laws were passed,” the co-authors wrote. While researchers observed no discernible change after the laws were passed, they did find drug use rates were generally higher in states that had legalized marijuana. “State-level risk factors other than medical marijuana laws could contribute to both marijuana use and the passage of medical marijuana laws, and such factors warrant investigation,” the authors concluded.

Colorado Supreme Court: Employers can fire workers for off-duty marijuana use

The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday affirmed lower courts' rulings that businesses can fire employees for the use of marijuana, even if it's for medical use and even if it's off-duty. The 6-0 decision comes nine months after the state's highest court heard oral arguments in Brandon Coats' case against Dish Network. Coats, who had a medical marijuana card and consumed pot off-duty to control muscle spasms, was fired in 2010. Coats challenged Dish and its company policy, claiming that his use was legal under state law. The firing was upheld in both trial court and the Colorado Court of Appeals. DOCUMENT: Colorado Supreme Court affirms ruling When the case went to the Colorado Supreme Court, legal observers said the case could have significant implications for employers across the state. They also noted that the ruling could be precedent-setting as Colorado and other states wrangle with adapting laws to a nascent industry that is illegal under federal law.As such, the question at hand is whether the use of medical marijuana — which is in compliance with Colorado's Medical Marijuana Amendment — is "lawful" under the state's Lawful Off-Duty Activities Statute. That term, the justices said, refers to activities lawful under both state and federal law. "Therefore, employees who engage in an activity such as medical marijuana use that is permitted by state law but unlawful under federal law are not protected by the statute," Justice Allison H. Eid wrote in the opinion. Colorado law allows employers to set their own policies on drug use. The justices' ruling would establish a legal framework in how employers tolerate medical marijuana use by workers when off the job. It also could provide clarity in recreational marijuana use. Six of the seven justices decided on the case. Justice Monica Marquez recused herself because her father, retired Senior Judge Jose D.L. Marquez, was on the Court of Appeals panel that upheld Coats' firing.

Marijuana-Roasted Coffee Is Now Legally Available for Purchase

A Los Angeles-based coffee company has figured out a way to sell marijuana-infused coffee all around the world regardless of state or country laws.. According to Fast Company, Kian Abedini's Compelling & Rich is now selling "herb conditioned" (in which the herb is marijuana) Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee beans. While the beans smell exactly like the green stuff, they won't actually get anyone high because they don't contain any THC. Abedini tells LA Weekly that he makes the coffee by "essentially hot-boxing the roast room," when he infuses the green coffee beans with marijuana. However, the product isn't, er, medicated because the THC is burned off in the roasting process. Instead it just tastes and smells like cannabis. It was a lawyer who advised Abedini to label the bags at "herb-conditioned" coffee, instead of writing marijuana on the bags. While it might not get people high, the product — which can be purchased online — is in high demand. Abedini says his company's server has crashed in the past from excited customers. Those who want to actually wake and bake with a morning cup of coffee will have to head to Washington. A company called Fairwinds Manufacturing has created a marijuana-infused coffee — sold as grounds or in a k-cup format — that are now available in stores across the state.

Registration opens for Minnesota's medical marijuana program

Enrollment opened Monday for Minnesota’s medical marijuana program, and Shelly Rapp was ready and waiting to sign up her son. The Rapp family recently moved here from California, where 18-year-old Scott had been taking cannabis oil — a few drops, a few times a day — to treat the intractable seizures that have racked him since birth. His mother, skeptical at first about the drug’s usefulness, watched as Scott’s seizures dropped from hundreds a day to just a handful. He started smiling. His eyesight improved. They weaned him off his other epilepsy medications and treatments. “Scott has so many seizures, I never really had any hope of anything working,” Rapp said. “But we had amazing success.” Medical cannabis will be legal in Minnesota as of July 1. Monday was the first day health care providers could begin certifying their patients to participate in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Registry. Scott’s new neurologist, Rapp said, has been “totally supportive” of her request to help him enroll. The Minnesota Health Department will release its first-day enrollment figures Tuesday. Assistant Health Care Commissioner Manny Munson-Regala, who is overseeing the program’s rollout, said the first day seemed to go smoothly. The state has estimated that 5,000 patients will enroll in the program in its first year — although the exact number is anyone’s guess. By midday Monday, the Minnesota Medical Association had heard from 11 physicians who were registering for accounts with the Health Department, a spokesman said. “Don’t get too excited, one way or the other, about the first month’s [enrollment] data,” Munson-Regala said. Patients are already booking July 1 appointments at Minneapolis’ first and only medical cannabis clinic. Minnesota Medical Solutions, which operates the clinic and is responsible for growing and refining half the state’s medical marijuana crop, plans to open its doors at midnight to accommodate patients who want access to the drug the moment it’s legal. “Things are moving along,” said company CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley, who began to hear from patients and doctors Monday morning and expects even more to enroll as the program revs up. The Minneapolis dispensary will open in the old League of Catholic Women building on 207 S. 9th St. The location will be “beautiful,” Kingsley said, and staffed with nurses and pharmacists, ready to talk patients through their options. “It’s going to make patients very comfortable.” Strict regulations Minnesota’s medical cannabis program is one of the most strictly regulated in the nation. It is limited to patients with certain conditions, including epilepsy, cancer and glaucoma, and the drug will only be sold as pills and liquids. Cannabis will be sold at just eight clinics, scattered across the state. The first three will open July 1 in Minneapolis, Eagan and St. Cloud. Once a doctor, nurse or other health care worker certifies that a Minnesota resident has one of the nine qualifying conditions, there is a $200 annual enrollment fee — less for low-income patients. Scott Rapp has been taking his seizure medications again since he moved to Minnesota, and his mother is eager to get him back on cannabis oil. Some parents are understandably leery about letting their kids get “high,” she said. But the dose Scott was taking was the equivalent of one-fiftieth of a teaspoon of THC — the compound that gives marijuana its buzz — and its effect was much gentler on him than most of the legal prescriptions he’s taken. “Kids do not get high from this medication, because they need such a low dose,” she said. But even if he did get a buzz from the oil, she said, “What’s better? A life-threatening seizure, or sitting in a wheelchair with a little grin on your face?”

Legal Marijuana Dealers -- And The Government -- Need Bankers And Lawyers

As of today, 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal marijuana and four have legalized its recreational use as well. Despite that, marijuana remains a so-called Schedule I controlled substance – alongside “hard” drugs like heroin, cocaine, and LSD – and federal law still makes the distribution of marijuana a crime, even in those states where it is legal. It is not unusual for legal marijuana businesses to become entangled in government investigations. Although it wasn’t my focus, as a former federal prosecutor I sometimes investigated unlawful drug trafficking organizations. Following the drugs and money back to their source increasingly led to marijuana businesses in states that had legalized it. In many cases, the “legal” marijuana business was knowingly involved in the unlawful distribution. But on more than one occasion, legitimate marijuana businesses were victims of circumstance. In one case, for example, a licensed grower in California had a handful of workers who were diverting a portion of the crop to a criminal organization. In another case, a dispensary in Colorado was purchasing unlawfully-produced marijuana. In both cases, the guilty were arrested and the innocent business owners were not, but the businesses were adversely affected – each was the subject of a government investigation, its premises were searched by law enforcement agents, and its bank accounts and property were subject to seizure. In the case of the grow operation, for instance, law enforcement raided the farm and seized all of the plants on the property as well as all of the marijuana being processed. It is simply the case that all legal marijuana businesses remain subject to investigation and potential prosecution so long as marijuana is illegal at the federal level. Companies without stringent compliance programs are particularly at risk. As a result, virtually every bank of any size has decided not to do business with legal marijuana companies, concluding that the so-called “regulatory risk” outweighs the benefits of doing business with them. This is a perfectly rational conclusion. Banking marijuana businesses is not especially profitable; it typically involves hosting checking accounts and making relatively small loans. On the other hand, regulators and law enforcement have recently imposed a series of multi-billion dollar penalties on banks for failures in their anti-money laundering (“AML”) obligations – that is, their responsibility to detect and report suspicious financial transactions. In addition, banking marijuana businesses carries with it the regulatory burden of filing Suspicious Activity Reports, or SARs, for virtually every transaction, as well as the heightened risk of investigation or seizure. Banks can hardly be faulted for turning away marijuana-related customers. Major law firms, ever risk-averse, have also decided not to advise marijuana companies. One state’s bar (Maine’s) has even said that it would be unethical for a lawyer to advise a marijuana company, on the theory that doing so would constitute advising a client to violate the law. Ironically, medical marijuana is legal in Maine, meaning that legal marijuana businesses are required to navigate Maine’s state-specific regulatory scheme without the assistance of a Maine lawyer. While the other state bars that have considered the question don’t go that far, most major law firms have decided that the risk that they will be deemed an aider and abettor of criminal activity makes advising marijuana businesses untenable. The result is that legal marijuana businesses are forced to deal primarily in cash or, if they’re lucky, with the handful of small, local banks that are willing to bear the regulatory risks. Similarly, they are typically advised by local lawyers – often criminal defense lawyers who have developed an expertise in marijuana law. While smaller banks and local lawyers are certainly capable of handling that business well and responsibly, they lack the resources and often the sophistication of larger operations. Large regional and international banks, for example, have extensive AML controls, including well-staffed compliance functions and state-of-the-art technology. Similarly, national and international law firms enjoy the wider perspective that comes with representing not only marijuana businesses, but also the other industry players – banks, investors, and the like – that have an important voice in how legal marijuana businesses conduct themselves. Large law firms also have expertise in other matters that may weigh heavily on legal marijuana businesses. For example, legal marijuana businesses face knotty tax problems resulting from the drug’s federal status; sophisticated tax lawyers are in the best position to help them navigate these complicated waters. The lack of access to banks and lawyers is a problem not only for legal marijuana businesses, but for regulators and law enforcement, as well. Though marijuana remains a controlled substance, legalized marijuana is a reality in many states – and arguably an inevitability, even at the federal level – and it is in the government’s interest for companies in that market to have robust compliance programs. Likewise, the government has no desire for marijuana businesses to be conducted in cash: the use of cash makes it significantly harder for the government to trace the proceeds of the marijuana businesses, not to mention the fact that businesses that deal in large volumes of cash present opportunities for robbery and other crimes of violence. But for marijuana money to be both traceable within the legitimate financial system and subject to stringent compliance programs – both within the marijuana businesses and at the institutions that handle their money – means having access to banks and lawyers. Even the federal government has recognized the importance of access to professionals. In August 2013, the Department of Justice issued guidance to prosecutors, instructing them not to prosecute people or entities for marijuana crimes so long as they operate within the confines of valid state regulatory schemes. Following that, early last year, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, issued guidance to financial institutions informing them that banks and other financial institutions “can provide services to marijuana-related businesses consistent with their [AML] obligations,” so long as they take an appropriate risk-based approach. FinCEN also lightened the regulatory burden on banks doing business with marijuana companies, allowing them to submit abbreviated Suspicious Activity Reports for marijuana-related transactions. According to published reports, FinCEN officials are also meeting privately with bank executives to “remind them” about the marijuana guidance. The issue has also gained traction in the legislature. Although Congress is not yet prepared to de-schedule marijuana – though a bipartisan bill was introduced in the last Congress to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II controlled substance, which would recognize its medical uses and, among other things, expand the opportunities for in-depth scientific research – Congress has voted to withhold funding from the Department of Justice to enforce the marijuana laws in states where it is legal. Similarly, a bipartisan Senate committee voted just this month to allow Veterans Affairs doctors (i.e., federal employees) to help their patients who want to use medical marijuana, in states where it’s legal. The amendment was sponsored by a Montana Republican and an Oregon Democrat. Until marijuana businesses have regular access to the financial system and can turn to a broad array of sophisticated lawyers for counsel, they will remain half-way in the shadows. This is by no means an argument for legalizing marijuana; it doesn’t have to be legal for marijuana businesses to have access to professional services. Last month, the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act was introduced in the House of Representatives; among other things, it would prohibit banking regulators or criminal prosecutors from investigating or penalizing a financial institution for “providing financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business.” Congress could easily pass similar protections for lawyers. Doing so would recognize a basic proposition: when a bank or a lawyer provides services to a legal marijuana business, it is not helping that business to break the law. To the contrary, lawyers and banks – especially sophisticated and responsible ones – help businesses to comply with the law. That helps the marijuana business and government alike.

3 amazing marijuana recpies for summer parties

As the legalization of marijuana continues to spread, our relationship with the plant flourishes and evolves. While we once kept it in air-tight, hidden-from-sight containers, now our weed might sit on the kitchen counter — next to other baking and cooking accouterments. Yes, we cook openly with cannabis in 2014. You can buy pot-infused butters and oils at dispensaries — or you can make your own, which is what we recommend. And here’s our handy how-to on calculating THC dosage for your recipes. So what marijuana-infused recipes did readers click on the most in 2014? Here they are — our 10 most popular recipes of 2014, crafted by Oregon-based chef Laurie WolfWolf
Cannabutter: The best cannabutter in America: Follow the directions, and you will make the best butter your weed will allow. The truth is, however, the butter is just as good as the weed you make it with. Step 1 In a medium saucepan bring a quart of water to a boil on the stove. You can vary the amounts, just be sure that the marijuana is always floating about 1 1/2 – 2 inches from the bottom of the pan. Step 2 When the water is boiling place the butter in the pan and allow it to melt completely. My recipe uses 4 sticks of butter to every ounce of marijuana, so if you’re using a half ounce of weed that’s about 2 sticks of butter. Step 3 Once the butter has melted you can add the marijuana. Once the weed is added the heat should be turned down, very low, to barely a simmer. I usually let the weed cook for around three hours. You can tell it’s done when the top of the mix turns from really watery to glossy and thick. Step 4 While the cannabutter is cooking set up the bowl to hold the finished product. I like to use a heatproof bowl, and some people use a plastic food container. Place a double layer of cheesecloth over the top, and secure it with elastic, string or tape. Step 5 Strain the marijuana butter over the bowl, carefully trying not to spill. When the saucepan is empty, undo the twine, pick up the cheesecloth from all four sides and squeeze out all of the remaining butter. Step 6 Allow the cannabutter to cool for about an hour. Place in the fridge until the butter has risen to the top layer and is solid. The THC and other properties have attached to the butter, and you are just about there. Step 7 Run a knife around the edge and lift the butter off. Place upside down on your work surface and scrape off any of the cooking water. Your cannabutter is ready to roll. Enjoy! Thai iced tea — with a kick: Thai iced tea and Thai iced coffee are among my favorite summer drinks. Partially it is because I completely adore condensed milk. It’s a magical ingredient, so sweet, creamy and smooth. And it might be considered a culinary evil, I am afraid to look. I have given up corn syrup, but not this. It won’t happen. 6 chai tea bags, or 6 black tea bags with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, two cardamom pods, 1 star anise and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 8 cups boiling water ¼ to ½ cup granulated sugar, optional 1 can condensed milk (14 ounces) 3-5 tablespoons melted cannabutter Directions 1. Place the chai tea bags (or the black tea bags with the spices) in a pitcher. Pour 8 cups of boiling water over the tea bags. Allow to steep for 4-5 minutes. Remove the bags and add the optional sugar. Let cool to room temperature. 2. In a small bowl combine the condensed milk and melted cannabutter. 3. Fill 6 glasses with ice cubes. Fill each glass two-thirds of the way with the tea. Top the tea with about 2 ounces of the condensed milk mixture. It will sink to the bottom, and that’s good. Stir and drink. So, so good. A truly smokin’ mac and cheese: Some say mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. There is something about the crusty top and the creaminess under that crust that certainly makes this dish a contender. I love the smokiness of the paprika, and the addition of smoked mozzarella adds a layer of flavors that may make this my most favorite mac and cheese ever. You can always vary the type of cheese, or add veggies or bacon. Bacon would be amazing. Smokin’ Mac ’n Cheese Serves 4-6 ½ pound elbow macaroni or shells 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 teaspoon salt For cheese sauce 5 tablespoons cannabutter ½ cup all-purpose flour 2½ to 3 cups milk, warm 4 ounces smoked mozzarella, grated (1 cup) 8 ounces medium cheddar, grated (2 cups) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon canola oil, (using canna-oil is optional) 2 ounces sharp cheddar, grated (1/2 cup) For onion rings 1 cup canola oil 1 small onion, peeled and thinly sliced Directions Heat oven to 375 degrees. 1. Fill a large pot with water, oil and salt. Bring to boil, add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package. Drain well. 2. In a small saucepan melt the cannabutter. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for five minutes. Add the warm milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Add the cheese, salt, paprika, pepper and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into 6-8 buttered ramekins. 3. In a small bowl combine the canola oil with the breadcrumbs and sharp cheddar. Sprinkle on top of the filled ramekins. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top. 4. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. When hot add the onion rings and cook until golden brown, 4-5 minutes. Drain on paper towels or clean dishtowel. Place on top of the ramekins and serve.

Congress Considers Medical Marijuana for Veterans

Marijuana policy is changing the way Congress thinks and acts. Like most new areas of policy—or policies new to Congress—it is not happening through a ground-breaking, fast moving, all-encompassing policy shift. Instead, through small steps—small victories for marijuana supporters—Congress is showing signs of change, at least in regard to medical marijuana, that depart dramatically with the institution’s historical support for the war on drugs. A committee vote in the U.S. Senate last week paved the way to relax policies regarding medical marijuana in veterans health facilities. Long an issue championed by veterans groups and the pro-marijuana community, the desire to facilitate veterans’ access has increased as this group’s health issues gain greater national attention in the wake of two wars. The advocacy communities argue that medical marijuana can be used to treat or manage the symptoms of a variety of ailments that disproportionately affect veterans, including chronic pain, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. They also suggest cannabis can be helpful in addressing the serious epidemic of veteran suicide. I take no position on the efficacy of such a treatment—I’ll leave those determinations to the medical and other scientific communities. But regardless of one’s perspective around or belief in those claims, the argument has motivated a serious change among policy communities and now policymakers. One stumbling block in the effort to give veterans access to medical marijuana has been legal restrictions on Veterans Affairs doctors’ ability to recommend cannabis for treatment. In fact, VA doctors are often unwilling to discuss the topic with patients who have questions. This reality comes not from heartlessness among VA professions. Nor does this barrier arise necessarily because of a cultural opposition among VA doctors. Instead, federal law, particularly the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the regulatory progeny that traces its roots back to that act, limits the ability of doctors (federal government employees) to recommend a substance that is determined to be illegal. This presents a real challenge for medical marijuana-seeking veterans. Many veterans depend solely or largely on VA for their health care access. Wounded warriors also face risks of economic hardship because of their disability or health conditions that limit employment. Thus, the added costs of seeking out a non-VA doctor for a recommendation adds to the price of accessing medical marijuana—a product that is already quite costly in many jurisdictions. In response, a bipartisan amendment was proposed by Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) that sought to overcome that challenge. Details About the Veteran’s Medical Marijuana Proposal First, a few clarifying points about what this proposal is and what it is not. It is not a stand-alone law. It is a committee amendment to the Senate version of the FY16 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. While elements of this proposal can be found in the recent comprehensive legislation (the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States Act), this proposal is not the formal advancement of that legislation. Nor has the Senate passed this proposal. Its advancement thus far has been in the appropriations subcommittee on two votes. The first passed the amendment entering it formally into the legislation. The second passed the broader appropriations bill through committee. That is not to say the legislation is not significant. This is one of the first times a Senate committee passed an individual legislative item specifically relaxing marijuana policy. (Previous Senate votes on broader bills included pro-marijuana provisions, taken up and inserted by the House.) Second, the legislative effort is not certain to find its way into the final bill. The Senate committee bill (the broader appropriations legislation) differs from the House version, and thus, one of two paths forward on the legislation must occur. Either the House has to pass the Senate version or the House and Senate need to conference to work out differences—a scenario in which this provision, like all others, are at risk of being stripped. That is not to say this provision will ultimately be left out, but the reality is that this is not a done deal. Third, it is unclear what effect the provision will have. The amendment attempts a policy change via its formal jurisdiction: appropriations. As the committee report on the legislation notes, the effect of the amendment is to prohibit “the use of funds to interfere with the ability of veterans to participate in State-approved medicinal marijuana programs or deny services to such veterans” (see Page 71). There exist two challenges to this provision having the intended effect. For one, the Obama administration took a combative stance against a similar provision in a Justice Department appropriations bill that sought to restrict the use of Drug Enforcement Administration funds to enforce the CSA in states with approved medical marijuana systems. Rather than compliance with that legislation, a DEA spokesperson noted that the administration position is that it can still use funds to enforce the CSA, even in states covered by that provision. The administration position that gives the CSA supremacy over the provisions of appropriations legislation sets a precedent (or at least offers a precedent) that calls into question whether the veterans access provision would be treated similarly. That said, in an environment in which the VA is mired in scandal and simultaneously veteran health issues are quickly rising in public awareness, it is hard to imagine the Obama administration arresting veterans and VA doctors seeking such treatments. Veterans health care policy should never be determined by political optics; in fact, the political optics of such prosecutions would be devastating for the administration and fodder for some of the most damning media coverage a White House could imagine. Yet beyond the White House’s determination of the binding nature of the appropriations provision, it is important to consider another limitation. The provision does not force doctors to discuss marijuana. Nor does it force doctors to consider marijuana as a treatment option. It simply seeks to offer a type of legal protection for doctors who choose to offer cannabis as part of a treatment regimen. “Choose” is the key word because doctors can still opt, for whatever reason, not to consider such a treatment plan. While some medical professionals have a very accepting view of medical marijuana, others remain opposed. Some physicians are not convinced of the medical benefit or are uncomfortable with the scant research on the topic. Other physicians may remain concerned about legal ramifications. Still others operate within a medical culture in which some constituencies remain opposed to cannabis for a variety of reasons. The result is that even if reform comes about, veterans’ access to medical marijuana will still face serious barriers—formal and informal—in ways that will come as no surprise to those in the pro-marijuana community. Those barriers are ones that the movement works hard to break down, but they are barriers that still exist and remain firm in specific segments of society. Regardless of the outcome of the Daines-Merkley amendment and of the ultimate consequence of the policy change, the passage of this legislation tells us something significant about the trajectory of marijuana policy in the United States. The grip of the war on drugs on American political institutions is weakening. Legislators are likely responding to a combination of rapidly changing and concrete public opinion and a coordinated, professionalized lobbying effort. Congress members and Senators no longer see marijuana policy as a hot-button issue mired in the culture wars of American politics. Instead, (medical) marijuana is a health care issue that is being debated in the halls of Congress, not as a taboo but as mainstream public policy. Congress keeps signaling its transformation on this issue and the Daines-Merkley amendment’s greater significance may be the sign that this transformation may finally have broken down the doors to the Senate chamber.

Atwal Eye owners pitch medical marijuana plant in Niagara County

A second group from Western New York is working to land a medical marijuana license with a growing and distribution facility in Niagara County. Members of the Atwal family approached the Town of Wilson with plans to a medical marijuana cultivation facility at the former Pfeiffer Foods salad dressing plant. Wilson town board members voted this week to approve the application, giving the application the local support needed as part of its application to the state Department of Health. According to information filed by Far(m)ed New York LLC with the town, plans call for converting the 86,000-square-foot plant into a facility for cultivation, extraction and formulation of pharmaceutical grade cannibis. Just months ago, the Town of Lewiston came out in support of a similar proposal by Herbal Agriculture LLC, a company with ties to Modern Disposal in Lewiston, which plans to expand a commercial tomato greenhouse for medical marijuana cultivation. Far(m)ed New York LLC is owned by Dr. Ephraim Atwal and Dr. Amar Atwal, principals in the Atwal Eye Care business. Based on Harlem Road in Cheektowaga, Atwal Eye Care has five locations with 110 total staff. In addition to their ophthalmology and surgical practice, the Atwals also have experience in agriculture, operating a commercial corn business on Chestnut Road in the Town of Newfane under the company name Lawta Farms LLC.

Ten best marijuana strains

Alaska and Washington DC’s cannabis legalization provisions kick in, a Cannabis Cup in Los Angeles, satisfied voters in Colorado, and more retail stores in Washington. A landmark study re-iterated the facts that cannabis is much safer than any other drug including alcohol. And the weed was pretty good, too. Here’s a short list of our favorites.
BAY AREA Sunset Sherbet A food fight broke out in San Francisco stemming from a rift in the Cookie Fam. Two “Cookie” stores on Mission St. are competing to offer locals the best Girl Scout Cookies-related genetics in the world. Cookies SF’s ‘Original Cookie Fam Sunset Sherbet’ dazzled with a creamy orange dessert smell and maximal, potent indica-dominant effects.
Khalifa Kush – Cookie. Co. 415 now occupies Herbal Mission’s old spot and specializes in KK — Wiz Khalifa’s perfect cut of OG Kush — known for its unbeatable lemon-fuel smell and indica-dominant, sedative effect.
T.I.T.S. CRAFT Collective in Berkeley expanded beyond its own award-winning, top-shelf strains, adding I.C. Collective’s phenomenal T.I.T.S. The strain name stands for “This is the sh*t” and is an early Cookies phenotype, Forum Cookies, crossed to Sour Diesel. Phenomenal Cookies and Diesel aroma, maxed-out THC content. Leaves you mewling for more.
Blue Lightning One of The Barbary Coast SF’s specialties — Blue Lightning is an indica cross of Blueberry from Mendocino county. A massive electric blueberry aroma, 22 percent THC.
LOS ANGELES Mango Tango Elemental Seeds’ Mango Tango took first place in February’s High Times Medical Cannabis Cup – Los Angeles, held in San Bernardino. A cross of the True OG, Tangie and Peaches, expect waves of mango aroma in this maximally potent sativa hybrid.
Clean Green XJ-13 Award-winning Alternative Herbal Health Services showcases the next level in conscious cannabis — 3rd-party certified “clean green” XJ-13. The versatile hybrid combines blockbuster sativa Jack Herer with mystery indica G-13.
Veganic Strawberry Cough Buds & Roses Los Angeles’ sativa-hybrid Strawberry Cough was grown veganically — meaning with no synthetic inputs, or animal-based inputs like fish emulsion or bird guano. You can taste the purity in this strawberry-smelling haze phenotype.
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New Denver hotel allows marijuana use

DENVER — In LoDo, the Nativ Hotel is set to open. Thursday through Saturday there will be a series of functions to welcome the boutique hotel that allows marijuana use. “We have something for everyone here at Nativ,” said owner Mike Alexander. “We have door bells on rooms, living plant walls on our outdoor patios where guests can consume marijuana on their stays, the Stereo Lounge in the basement, and original art work throughout the hotel. We even have a coffee bar specializing in CBD infused lattes.” The rooms have all glass showers, the champagne suites have self-cleaning hot tubs and there is a lunch/happy hours lounge called Pourtions. The cannabis friendly hotel is the first of its kind in Denver. Some of the rooms even have the Monsieur Bartenders … meaning no more mini-bars. This pour system allows for customers to make up to 800 combinations without ever leaving their room. Co-owner Richmond Meyer said, “We chose the name Nativ because we want everyone—no matter where they are from—to feel as if they are a native Coloradan while they are here. Our goal is to allow everyone to have an awesome time for however long they stay with us.” The Nativ is staging three days of understanding between Thursday and Saturday. Grand Opening is Thursday night. Expect a big crowd as the new cannabis hotel is going to be the spot to be.

Study: New Cannabinoids Discovered

Ole Miss is at again. With their research-grade cannabis finally up to par with that of dispensaries, the weed scientists at the University of Mississippi have taken full advantage of the potent pot: seven new naturally occurring cannabinoids have been discovered. Depending on the genetic makeup of a strain of cannabis, the resinous trichomes of female plants will produce mainly THC or CBD, with high CBG detected in few European hemp samples. Whether a plant has high THC or CBD, a diverse slew of minor cannabinoids always top off the mixture. Many modern labs dedicated to testing cannabis can give you a percentage of major cannabinoids and a few minor cannabinoids, but none so far have the capability to give you a full cannabinoid fingerprint. It’s not out of laziness; such an analysis would take weeks and thousands of dollars given the current technology. Scientists have discovered 104 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant through painstaking labor, and it seems that number just climbed to 111. 8α-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; 8β-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; 10α-hydroxy-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol; 10β-hydroxy-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol; 10α-hydroxy-Δ9,11-hexahydrocannabinol; 9β, 10β-epoxyhexahydrocannabinol; and 11-acetoxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A are the seven new cannabinoids discovered. All of them are yellow oils at room temperature, except the last one that is a white powder, much like other carboxylated cannabinoids. Other researchers had already synthesized a few of these cannabinoids, but without knowing they naturally occurred in the plant. Using a complex, multistage, multi-solvent extraction process, scientists started with nine kilograms of dried buds and isolated between 10 and 150 milligrams of these minute compounds. They tested them on mice, and found that a few of them got mice just as high as THC, while others had different effects.

U.S. anti-legalization group urges more access to marijuana research

A group opposed to pot legalization is unveiling proposals on Thursday for the U.S. government to ease restrictions on scientific research into marijuana's potential as medicine, in a first step for an organization of its kind. The plan from Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which is co-founded by former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, comes after three U.S. Senators this year introduced a bill that would require the federal government to recognize pot's medical value and allow states to set their own medical cannabis policies. Kennedy will present his group's plan on Thursday to officials in Washington, said Kevin Sabet, the group's president and chief executive. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana, and voters in four states have gone further by approving the drug for recreational use by adults. But the drug remains illegal under federal law, which classifies pot as a dangerous narcotic with no current medical use. Drug policy reformers say the federal government's strict rules on marijuana research have prevented needed studies in the United States. With its plan, Smart Approaches to Marijuana is calling for changes to some of those rules. "Let's put research into the hands of legitimate scientists, not pot profiteers," Sabet said. The group's plan calls for the government to allow multiple entities to grow marijuana for research purposes beyond just the University of Mississippi, which has a contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse as the sole provider of marijuana for federally sanctioned research. The group also is calling for the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate a review process for marijuana research that critics say is burdensome. And the group says the Drug Enforcement Agency should eliminate certain regulatory requirements for research into cannabidiol (CBD), a component of marijuana seen as having a number of medical applications, and work with states to allow a pure CBD product to be distributed more broadly for research. This comes as the UK-based company GW Pharmaceuticals continues research on its CBD-based drug Epidiolex to treat pediatric epilepsy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved that research. Mark Kleiman, who was hired by Washington state to consult on its move to legalize marijuana, called Smart Approaches to Marijuana's plan a good step. "I don’t think there's any question that cannabinoids (constituents of marijuana) have medical utility, and we have to find out what that is," Kleiman said. (Editing by Eric Walsh)

Here's how opposing sides finally agreed on marijuana legislation

Two bills aimed at softening the state's penalties on marijuana that died last year have been resuscitated with the help of an unlikely partner: The Louisiana Sheriffs' Association. As many lawmakers have found out over the years, it can be nearly impossible to convince other legislators to support bills that are opposed by Louisiana Sheriffs. The influential organization's members packed a committee hearing on a bill last year seeking to reduce the state's tough marijuana penalties, and the committee moved swiftly to kill it shortly after. Fast-forward to this year's legislative session, and the Sheriffs' Association isn't opposing any of the three major marijuana bills moving through the Capitol. The marijuana penalties bill that died in committee last year, authored by state Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, has made it the furthest, winning Senate approval on Monday. How one of the state's most powerful law enforcement organizations could turnabout so quickly on legislation involving a Schedule I narcotic is a story of persistence, personal lobbying and some key behind-the-scenes work by Morrell. It's also the result of some fallout from the public's reaction to the Sheriffs' Association's past opposition. After they opposed last year's bill, Louisiana Sheriffs' Association members were left feeling portrayed as supporters of lengthy sentences unmatched in other Southern states. The perception was driven by a criticism that Sheriffs opposed the bill because they benefit financially by collecting a per diem for each prisoner locked up. "We thought the criticism was unfounded, and we were sensitive that someone would even consider that would be a factor to us," said Michael Ranatza, the Sheriffs' Association's executive director. "It's never been the case, and as I stated, we lose money by confining an individual in our jails and prisons." Besides, Ranatza pointed out, it's relatively rare for marijuana convictions to draw a anything close to the 20-year prison term allowed under state law for repeat offenders. The real focus of the negotiations surrounding reforming marijuana penalties, Ranatza said, was giving offenders an opportunity to avoid a felony conviction that could stain a person's record for a lifetime. Morrell's bill (SB 241) would reduce a second-time offender's charges from felony status to misdemeanor, and it contains a key second-chance provision that allows a first-time marijuana conviction to be expunged if the person keeps their nose clean for two years. A similar bill (HB 149) in the state House of Representatives introduced by Rep. Austin Badon, D-New Orleans, was later amended to contain the same reforms. Even though there's only a small number of marijuana offenders serving long sentences, the potential for felony convictions and the state's high incarceration rates figured heavily into discussions, Morrell said. Also, after last year's bill, Sheriffs began realizing they weren't housing many prisoners who were locked up on simple possession charges. "They were saying, 'We don't feel like we're doing this,'" Morell said. "In this conversation with me and other groups, they were saying, 'If we're not doing this, then why are we opposed to it?'" Another unusual development since Morrell's legislation failed last year was an outreach effort by the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana's executive director, Marjorie R. Esman. It's unusual for the ACLU and the Sheriffs' Association to agree on legislation, but Esman said that didn't stop her from laying plans to travel the state and appeal to Sheriffs personally. "We all know that marijuana laws are changing around us rapidly, and we all know something's going to happen," whether it's a separate push for state legalization or a change in federal law, Esman said. "I think there was a concern that if we didn't agree on something now, half of us would end up with something we didn't like." In those conversations, Esman said, Sheriffs told her that they were less concerned about recreational marijuana use and were more focused on distribution. That's why Morrell's bill contains provisions identifying an amount of marijuana classified as simple possession, allowing people caught with larger amounts to be prosecuted with tougher sentences. "They care about distribution, and still being able to use marijuana as a plea bargaining tool for someone who's accused of another offense," Esman said. "They pretty much all said we don't care about the stoners. We don't care about the users who go home and get high on a Friday." Ranatza disputed the idea that members of the Sheriffs' Association were moved to act by shifting public attitudes about marijuana or other moves to decriminalize or legalize marijuana across the country. "The driving point for us had to do with a more practical approach that was geared toward public safety and policy," Ranatza said. Asked whether recreational use figured into the Sheriffs' Association's discussions on marijuana penalties, Rantaza said, "that viewpoint was never discussed." Even so, Ranatza acknowledged that shifting his association's position from opposed to "not opposed" -- the association often notes its position is neutral rather than supportive -- is a big change from last year. "We try to improve each year," Ranatza said. "Certainly on simple possession, we thought by reducing the penalties and wanting to assist an individual who wanted to go to medical school or pharmacy school or law school (but couldn't due to a marijuana conviction), it was just more of a reasonable approach to giving people the opportunity to do better." The key for Morrell, who did much of the work bringing both sides together, was explaining that his bill was not an attempt to whittle away at the law. Before this year, the Sheriffs' Association and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association had become "entrenched" in a battle to fend off any attempts to legalize or decriminalize marijuana possession. "It was almost like they were World War I entrenched in opposition because they saw this as all a a path to legalization," Morrell said. "Once you got them out of the trench and say you're not talking about legalization, that we need to help people re-enter society, or we need to get more treatment. I think that argument ultimately swayed them."

NASA discovers new planet covered with marijuana

NASA has announced this morning that they have discovered a planet completely covered with marijuana, a discovery that has completely taken scientists by surprise. Planet X637Z-43, discovered using NASA’s Kepler satellite, would also allegedly be one of the very few planets potentially habitable according to NASA experts, who have detected sufficient levels of oxygen and nitrogen to support human life. The presence of marijuana on other planets could strongly encourage future generations to take interest in space exploration, some experts believe. “We always think young people aren’t interested by anything but it’s false. Young people love smoking pot,” explains David Charbonneau, astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “Chlorophyll concentration analyses generated by Kepler lead us to believe that the level of THC in these marijuana plants is 3000% higher than the plants found on Earth. If that doesn’t motivate young people to explore space, I don’t know what will,” admits the expert, clearly enthusiastic. “Regardless, marijuana will without a doubt be a valuable and indispensable resource for interstellar trips. Imagine if it takes 140 years to travel from one planet to another, let’s just say it’s going to be a very long trip. You better have rolled yourself a couple of joints for the road,” he admits with humor. Since the discovery, NASA has launched a campaign on social medias to name the new planet and so far, the name Bob Marley has taken the lead with over 2 094 367 votes at the time of this report.

Tax board seeks to stir up pot revenue

SACRAMENTO — California authorities are notoriously creative when it comes to wringing as much tax revenue as possible out of the state’s businesses, yet are leaving real money on the table because of their failure to come up with a simple way for medical marijuana dispensaries to pay their tab. Voters legalized this business 19 years ago with the passage of Proposition 215. But an uncertain federal legal status has complicated the matter since then. The state only collects a small percentage of the sales-and-use taxes these businesses owe, although a new program is attempting to address the imbalance. “Because of federal law, people in the cannabis industry aren’t allowed to have bank accounts,” said George Runner, a Republican member of the Board of Equalization, a state tax-collection agency. “Cash-based businesses are very hard for the BOE to audit. If we can’t analyze a bank account, we can’t accurately audit a business.” Because of federal law, dispensaries risk having their assets seized if they put them in an account. The result is bizarre: “It’s a huge safety risk to have dispensaries pay their taxes by carrying duffel bags into BOE offices with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash,” he added. Runner called on the federal government to legalize bank accounts, which is more important now that California has banned such cash payments. Earlier this month, the board developed the “Cannabis Compliance Pilot Project” to determine the degree of noncompliance with tax rules, the amount of lost revenue and the volume of marijuana produced in the state. The agency will come up with strategies to hike tax compliance for growers, distributors and retailers. The goal is to create “a living document that allows flexibility to adjust as new needs are identified, such as legislative and/or regulatory changes, along with ballot initiative(s) related to the cannabis industry.” In plain English: The Board of Equalization expects voters to eventually legalize the recreational use of marijuana and wants a solid tax plan in place by then. In 2012, Washington state voters passed an initiative legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana. Colorado voters also legalized pot in 2012. Two legalization measures have been filed with the California attorney general’s office for the November 2016 ballot. If enough signatures are gathered, we will see a statewide campaign here, too. Runner is opposed to the legalization of marijuana for recreational uses, but his approach could create a boon for supporters, who can point to a tax bonanza for what some say is the state’s largest cash crop. Other research suggests that common claim about the size of the industry is exaggerated, but it is a big industry with an untapped tax potential. Tax proceeds have lagged predictions in Washington and Colorado, but that’s likely the result of the same bank-account issue that’s hobbling medical-marijuana collections here. The Board of Equalization’s pilot project could come up with some realistic numbers that almost certainly will bring smiles to the faces of Department of Finance bean counters. (State officials might also want to analyze any cost savings if recreational marijuana use goes from a law-enforcement matter to a taxable industry.) Some California cities have passed rules essentially banning those dispensaries (by, say, requiring them to comply with federal laws, which don’t allow their operation) — but they might have a change of heart if they see a tax benefit. Once the government figures out a way to tax a business, it’s less likely to crush it. It took nearly a decade after Proposition 215’s passage before the state decided dispensaries were not illegal and implemented a sellers’ registration policy to help encourage tax payments. The board says it even allowed “taxpayers to ‘decline to state’ the type of tangible personal property sold to reduce the risk of self-incrimination.” But payments were rare. It took another decade for the board to research ways to increase tax compliance from people who aren’t allowed to pay by cash — but aren’t allowed to have a bank account, either. Federal rules may be to blame, but it’s hard to understand such slow progress given how many millions of dollars are at stake.

Petitions for marijuana legalization, prevailing wage repeal to go before Michigan board

LANSING, MI — Petitions to legalize recreational marijuana and repeal the state's prevailing wage law could be coming this summer to a street corner near you. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers, scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon, is expected to consider two separate petitions from groups calling themselves the Michigan Cannabis Coalition and Protecting Michigan Taxpayers. If the petitions are approved in form — an optional step to ensure their validity won't be challenged at a later point — organizers can begin circulating them at any time. Once they start, they'll have 180 days to collect 252,523 signatures to advance the citizen-initiated legislation to Lansing or the 2016 ballot. The Michigan Cannabis Coalition, which has been described as "a loosely formed group of business and political folks," wants to legalize and tax recreational marijuana, devoting any proceeds to education, public safety and public health. It's one of three marijuana legalization groups eyeing the 2016 ballot, and its proposal is unique in that it would give state lawmakers a prominent role in the legalization process. The Legislature would have authority to set the tax rate and require licensing of marijuana facilities, in which case it would also have to establish a Michigan Cannabis Control Board to administer and enforce the law. Separately, Protecting Michigan Taxpayers wants to repeal the state's prevailing wage law, which guarantees that workers receive union-scale wages and benefits on state-funded construction projects, such as school buildings. The goal is not the 2016 ballot; it's repeal in 2015. Organizers hope to send the repeal measure to Lansing, where the GOP-led Legislature could enact it despite opposition from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who would be cut out of the process. PMT was last active in 2012, when it fought several ballot proposals, including a union-backed effort to enshrine collective bargaining in the state constitution. The committee includes ties to the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan and the Michigan Freedom Fund, a pro-business group out of West Michigan that fought for passage of the state's right-to-work law in 2012. A separate group hoping to put a proposal on the 2016 ballot — the Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan — had their petition approved as to form by the Board of State Canvassers last month.

Reports: Did marijuana fall out of Kevin Durant's car outside LA club?

A bottle containing what looks to be marijuana fell out of Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant’s SUV Friday night outside a Los Angeles club, according to a Huffington Post report. The video was taken by a TMZ contributor who was asking Durant questions outside the club when his SUV arrived. When the SUV pulled up, Durant opened the door and a vial fell out. One of Durant's guards tried to cover the camera and said, "Come on, man. Don't do that. Don't do that." The substance inside the bottle has not been confirmed; however, the vial is consistent with medical marijuana containers. Medical marijuana is legal in California. In January 2014, a picture of Durant smoking from a hookah appeared on his Twitter account. He said he was hacked and somebody else posted the picture.

The pot industry poised to reach $50 billion by 2019

With federal legalization efforts moving forward, pot entrepreneurs might want to focus on the recreational side of the business rather than the medical side, as major pharmaceutical companies are poised to jump in there. That's the future, according to Adam Bierman, managing partner of MedMen, a marijuana consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles. Bierman spoke at this week's Marijuana Business Conference and Expo in Chicago. "Right now two separate things here are intertwined [the medical and recreational sales of marijuana]," Bierman told a panel on business opportunities in states that are just now opening up marketplaces for medical marijuana: New York, Nevada and Illinois. "Once it's legalized on the federal level, you guys can't play on the pharmaceutical side. You're not going to compete with Pfizer. You have a chance to get on the recreational side because the big players aren't playing." Today, the federal government lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal, even though 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana and four states -- Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska -- plus the District of Columbia have approved recreational use. But once the federal government removes marijuana from the list of controlled substances, "Big Pharma will get involved and you'll be picking up your prescriptions at Walgreens or CVS," Bierman said. In states where medical marijuana was legalized 10 to 15 years ago, obtaining a license to grow pot used to be easy, especially in unregulated states like California and Michigan, where many people started growing operations in their basements. Now, however, the upfront investment is headed north of the $1 million mark and the number of licenses available is strictly limited. The real opportunities for people who want to get involved are in ancillary services: legal, accounting, medical, equipment, marketing and accessories. You have to find a niche. "Niche is a big piece," said Trent Woloveck, chief operating officer of American Cannabis Consulting, who was also on the panel with Bierman. "What is your value add?" Aviva Jeruchim of Boston is one such niche entrepreneur. Her Leaf Goods LLC plans to produce "fashion-forward carrying cases" for cannabis. Right now she's concentrating on secure cases for the leaves themselves. She sees a market, however, for cases for edibles and health and beauty aids as well. Ana Davila of New York is interested in packaging. "I have plants in Asia. Right now we produce plastics for children. Those plants could be turned for marijuana packaging," she said. In addition to the high cost of a license to establish marijuana growing and dispensary operations – and the escalating state licensing fees – those seeking approvals to open a marijuana growing operation must prove they have the necessary real estate in hand, whether owned or leased, and the necessary capital to fund the business for at least six months before the first bud is sold. The funding is complicated by banks' reluctance to get involved in an industry illegal on the federal level -- after all, whether national or state, banks are governed by federal law. The resulting difficulty of moving funds has made pot a predominantly cash business with all the danger that poses to the businesses and the community at large. Additionally, the application process is growing more complex. Kris Krane, managing partner of the retail consulting group 4front Advisors, noted the applications can run thousands of pages, and in fact an application the group helped put together in Illinois took up 10 full cardboard boxes. The applications need detailed plans for how a facility will be constructed, funded and secured, in addition to a business plan and projections for growth. "If your application is only 50 pages, you're not getting a license," Krane said. "If you're not working around the clock, you're not getting a license." Dr. William Lauth of Geneva Life Sciences experienced this firsthand. His company went after one of the Illinois licenses granted earlier this year but failed to get it and he has soured on the state’s hyper-regulated market where only 2,300 patients have been certified and would be able to buy marijuana legally. "Most doctors here [in Illinois] have no idea how effective marijuana can be in treating patients," Lauth said. "In general they're very conservative. Ninety percent are against it because of federal laws." Instead Lauth has turned his attention to Nevada and partnered with Vegas Valley Growers LLC, which says it is investing $2.5 million to $3 million in a grow center in the Las Vegas area. Vegas Valley Growers hopes to bring in its first crop in September and expects to grow 5,000 pounds a year, and five to six crops. Lauth sees Nevada as a much more lucrative market. It already has 11,000 patients signed up. Additionally, the Legislature decided to recognize the medical cards of marijuana user from other states, opening the way for the 45 million visitors the state sees annually to buy products. There's also a referendum on recreational marijuana planned for the 2016 ballot. Legal cannabis already is an $11 billion business, including growing operations, processing and ancillary businesses, and Marijuana Business Daily projections show the industry growing to $30 billion by 2019, with other estimates as high as $50 billion. Recreational and medicinal sales through dispensaries alone this year are projected to reach $3 billion, growing to $8 billion by 2019. This has all happened as numerous states have moved to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, even though the federal government has not. "The federal government's position is very unclear," said Chris Walsh, managing editor of Marijuana Business Daily, which organized the conference at the Chicago Hilton. "But the overall climate has improved dramatically." Nine more states currently are considering medical marijuana legislation, and enterprising marijuana business owners are doing everything they can to position themselves to be on the front lines. The key to a successful operation, Krane said, is local community support, a sentiment echoed by Meg Sanders, CEO of MiNDFUL, a Colorado dispensary operator. "We don't go where they don't want us," Sanders said. "It's not worth the fight." Sanders recommended those hoping to get into the "leaf-touching" end of the business hire a government affairs person and understand the election cycles of the communities in which they're involved. She also said getting involved in a community is key.

Oregon's big marijuana harvests: How do you bring all that pot into the legal market?

potentially worth more than any other single agricultural commodity in the state. A report from a Seattle venture capital firm specializing in pot says the state's legally allowed producers – those who grow for medical marijuana patients – harvest enough to meet the needs not only of patients in Oregon but in Washington, Colorado and Arizona as well. "We've got plenty of supply," says Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, and a member of the committee overseeing implementation of the pot legalization initiative. He wholeheartedly endorsed the common quip that Oregon is the "Saudi Arabia of marijuana." As a result, the legislative debate over how to implement the November initiative that legalized recreational marijuana has revolved around how to turn this thriving – if often illegal -- industry into an economic and societal success story. The abundance of the state's marijuana crop is driving some of the biggest decisions that legislators face, from how strictly to regulate medical marijuana growers to whether to put a sales tax on pot despite the state's historic hostility to such taxes. A growing number of legislators on the Joint Committee on Implementing Measure 91 say they want to start retail sales as early as possible to entice growers into the legal market. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which Measure 91 charged with regulating the recreational marijuana market, says it probably won't be ready to allow retail outlets to open until fall of 2016. But key lawmakers on the marijuana committee say they are seriously looking at allowing the sale of at least smokable pot starting Oct. 1 at existing medical marijuana dispensaries. "There are already well-established black-market channels," says Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland and the co-chair of the Measure 91 committee, "and we need to make this (legal) market as appealing to people as possible." Burdick has been a particularly strong champion of legislation putting stricter limits on the size of medical marijuana growing operations, saying she wants to channel larger and more commercially minded producers into the recreational market. Oregon has nearly 35,000 registered grow sites, according to the latest Oregon Health Authority records, but three-quarters serve just one or two patients, each of whom can have up to six plants grown for them. Nearly 400 sites grow for at least 10 patients and account for much of Oregon's marijuana crop. The heart of the industry is in southern Oregon, where growers have plenty of sun and rural isolation. "You can't compete with the quantity and quality produced in southern Oregon," says Crawford, the OSU expert who has extensively researched the area's marijuana culture. He says many growers have been producing pot for decades, perfecting their strains and earning a supplemental income for their family. Privateer Holdings, the Seattle firm, estimates that Oregon medical marijuana growers produce more than 400,000 pounds a year – enough to supply each of the 70,000 medical marijuana patients with more than 7 grams a day. The firm cites a Rand Corp. study saying that the heaviest users on average consume about 1.2 grams a day. Patrick Moen, a former federal Drug Enforcement Administration official who works for Privateer Holdings, argues that the proposed medical marijuana legislation isn't strict enough. Medical marijuana growers, who now face little state regulation, should have strict inventory and tracking controls as well as tight testing requirements to ensure the quality of their product and to make sure it's free of contaminants, he says. Otherwise, Moen adds, "We'll continue to see vast quantities of cannabis products on the streets of Oregon and outside of Oregon that are unregulated" and continue to undercut the legal market. Moen's firm is lobbying against legislative provisions to require people to be Oregon residents to invest and run pot businesses in the state. Moen says Privateer hasn't decided whether to invest in Oregon but says the firm believes that outside capital is needed to produce the kind of professional growing, processing and retail operations that will encourage public acceptance of legal marijuana. Supporters of the residency requirements say they want to protect and nurture the local industry, and avoid a few large outside players dominating the market. "We have a great opportunity to help Oregon's small businesses," says Rep. Ann Lininger, D-Lake Oswego, the marijuana committee's other co-chair. She notes that much of southern Oregon has struggled economically, but with marijuana it has an industry that "has an unparalleled advantage in growing conditions and a brand that people like." Not everyone in southern Oregon's marijuana business sees the committee as a champion. Alex Rogers, who owns medical marijuana clinics in Ashland and Eugene, has been urging patients to fight legislation putting stricter controls on growers. He says that could endanger patient access. Burdick disagrees, saying Rogers is primarily interested in preserving his business. The latest version, Senate Bill 964, is headed to the Senate floor. But it faces opposition from House members who think it gives cities and counties too much power to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries. Ironically, one issue that seems to have wide support involves use of a sales tax – which Oregonians have repeatedly rejected. Measure 91 called for a harvest tax based on plant weight. But supporters of a "point of sale tax," as legislators like to refer to it, say a tax based on the retail price of marijuana would be much more effective in bringing consumers and producers into the legal market. That's because a tax on weight becomes a bigger part of the cost to consumers if marijuana prices go down – and a drop in price is certainly a possibility with all the pot sloshing around Oregon. Beau Whitney, an economist involved in the medical marijuana business, calculates that a sales tax of between 12.5 and 17.5 percent would raise as much for the state as the weight-based tax, which could equate to more than 30 percent of the current price of marijuana. Whitney, whose firm Greenpoint Oregon owns a dispensary in Portland, says he found that customers were very sensitive to price. When he lowered the price of marijuana flowers by 21 percent, sales shot up 156 percent. "It supported my hypothesis that if you lower the price by lowering the tax, you're going to see more conversion from the black market to the regulated market," he says. Burdick says she is willing to lower taxes even more at first to bring additional people into the legal market. But she concedes that she doesn't know how that would fly with legislative budget leaders looking forward to gaining a new revenue stream for the state. --Jeff Mapes

As N.J. family fights for edible marijuana in school, Colorado makes it legal

As a New Jersey family wages a court battle to get permission for their daughter to consume edible medical marijuana in school, Colorado this week became the first state in the nation to legalize on-campus cannabis use. Inspired by the plight of Jack Splitt, a Lakewood, Colo. teenager who relies on a ventilator and wheelchair, Colorado legislators approved a bill that allows students who are registered medical marijuana patients to use edible cannabis products in school, so long as they are administered by a parent or an approved caregiver. Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bill into law Monday, calling it "a pretty good reflection of what the community wants." Roger Barbour of Maple Shade, whose 16-year-old daughter Genny suffers from a severe form of epilepsy and consumes homemade marijuana oil four times a day, praised "the legislative process in Colorado, which was responsive to the individual needs of its state's residents." "Go Jack!" he added. The Barbours are seeking what they hope is a faster remedy in court for their daughter, who is also diagnosed with autism. Genny's doctor recommend she ingest four minute doses of cannabis oil a day, but administrators at the Larc School in Bellmawr, for children with developmental disabilities, refused to allow the oil on campus. An administrative law judge in January sided with the school, saying the state's medical marijuana law conflicts with drug-free school zone laws and the federal law that deems marijuana illegal. The Barbours have appealed the decision. Since mid-April, Genny has attended school half the day so she can consume the drops of oil mixed into a small glass of soda at home. She has suffered two seizures in the last 10 days, representing a dramatic decline, Roger Barbour said. "We would definitely prefer the Legislature to address the matter, as we firmly believe it is a matter of states' rights, similar to the regulation of alcohol, tobacco, firearms. . .doctor and nurse licensing," he said. "However, we are also firmly convinced that no matter what kind of relief the legislature offers in the next 2 years, the governor will veto it. He has repeatedly stated that he would veto any further 'expansions' of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. "We think both routes are feasible, but the court route is faster," he said.

Bill OK’d making marijuana possession punishable by fine

Possession of small amounts of marijuana would be punishable by a fine rather than jail time under legislation approved Thursday by the Illinois Senate. The bill, House Bill 218, had already been approved by the House, so it now goes to Gov. Bruce Rauner. Catherine Kelly, a spokeswoman for Rauner, said the governor “will carefully consider any legislation that crosses his desk.” If signed by the governor, the legislation would apply to people caught with less than 15 grams of marijuana — roughly the equivalent of 25 joints. Under current law, possession of even a single joint can result in jail time and a criminal record. The new legislation would make possession of less than 15 grams similar to a traffic ticket. There would be no court appearance required, and there would be a fine of up to $125, except in municipalities that enact stiffer penalties. In addition, the court records for the offenses would automatically get erased each year. Two of the metro-east’s senators voted in favor of the bill, while two voted against. Their votes went along party lines. Sen. Bill Haine, an Alton Democrat, and Sen. James Clayborne, a Belleville Democrat, voted in favor. Voting in opposition were Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, and Sen. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon. Haine, in a previous debate, said the state shouldn’t be making criminals out of young people, and harming their futures, over possession of small amounts of marijuana. “The gist of the bill is to avoid the criminalization — of young people mainly — on misdemeanor amounts of marijuana,” Haine said. The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said Thursday: “Serious criminal penalties should be reserved for individuals who commit serious crimes .The possibility of jail time should not even be on the table when it comes to simple marijuana possession. Criminalizing people for marijuana possession is not a good use of our state’s limited law enforcement resources.” Chris Lindsey, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project, which favors legalization of marijuana, said: “We hope Gov. Rauner will sign this important and broadly supported legislation. This is a sensible alternative to Illinois’ needlessly complicated and draconian marijuana possession laws. It’s time to stop destroying people’s lives over possession of a substance that is undeniably less harmful than alcohol.” The Senate voted 39-17 in favor of the bill. The House passed the bill last month with a 62-53 vote. Under current Illinois law, possession of up to 2.5 grams of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,500. Possession of 2.5 to 10 grams is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,500. Possession of 10-30 grams is a class 4 felony punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,500. Supporters of the measure say it fits well with Rauner’s goal of reducing the state’s prison population by 25 percent over the next 10 years. They say the state’s overcrowded jails and prisons should house more hardened criminals, not low-level drug offenders. Sen. Jason Barickman, a Republican from Champaign, said: “Every person you talk to in this state wants us to find ways to save money. This legislation gives us a way to do that. It will save some money at the state level, and give us the opportunity to save money at the local level.” Critics argued that the bill has no mechanism for steering repeat offenders to treatment. Under the bill, offenders would have their records expunged after six months. The bill also would prohibit driving while under the influence of marijuana, and includes a mechanism for determining whether a driver is under the influence. Medical marijuana Also Thursday, the Senate approved a Haine bill that would extend the state’s medical marijuana pilot program. The medical marijuana program, as initially approved in 2013, called for the program to end on Jan. 1, 2018. But there have been unexpected delays in getting the program started. Under Haine’s bill, the program would end four years after the first dispensary is approved by the state. That change is expected to extend the program about 18 months. “This program was signed into law two years ago and still has yet to be effectively implemented due to bureaucratic barriers from the previous administration,” Haine said. “This legislation sets a new deadline for this program to get up and running. It’s time to quit dragging our feet. Let’s get this done and give patients access to the care they need.” The extension, contained in House Bill 3299, has already been approved by the House, and now goes to Rauner.

Looks Good Enough To Smoke: Marijuana Gets Its Glamour Moment

When Erik Christiansen started smoking pot, he became fascinated by the look of different marijuana strains. But the photographs of marijuana he saw didn't capture the variety. So he went to the hardware store and picked up two lights and a cardboard box. "I didn't even have a macro lens — I was shooting through a magnifying glass," he says.The California-based photographer tinkered with his macro technique until he had created a consistent way to capture highly detailed images of marijuana. Then Dan Michaels, a cannabis aficionado and strategist for the growing legal pot industry, contacted Christiansen about collaborating on a field guide. The result is Green: A Field Guide to Marijuana (Chronicle Books, $30). The high-end coffee table book documents over 170 strains of cannabis, explaining their medicinal and recreational attributes. (Though it's worth noting that the medicinal benefits are based on subjective reports rather than randomized clinical trials.) The book is meant to appeal to the growing artisanal marijuana industry, describing each bud's tasting notes and effects much like a sommelier would describe a vintage wine. We asked Christiansen about becoming a professional weed photographer, and what we can tell about a marijuana bud's effects by looking at it. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. How did you source all of these buds? I had a library of probably 300 to 400 strains that we were able to pull from. There's your popular strains that most people who enjoy cannabis have heard of, like your Blue Dreams and your Girl Scout Cookies. But we also wanted to include the rare ones. I searched through hundreds of dispensaries in San Diego, L.A., and the Bay Area to try and track down all of them. Seeing the buds close up accentuates the variations — some have these wiry golden threads and others are tightly coiffed, like beehive hairdos. They seem to take on personalities. What does this tell us about the plants?You can take the same plant and give a clone to six different growers and at the end of that grow cycle each will be unique in its own way, based on the nutrients that the growers us, the CO2 content of the air and the temperature of the room. Being able to get up close and see those differences is important. If you look at any of the pictures, there are these little balls on the end of each plant— that's where the THC is stored. The more little balls, or trichomes, that are present on the buds, the more potent it can be. The color will also tell you a lot about the effect it will deliver. More amber-color trichomes will deliver a more body effect, where lighter-colored trichomes will be more of a head-y effect. Do you have any favorites? My favorite in the book is the strain called the Shire. I've only been able to find it once. The effect was so uplifting. It's the only strain that's ever given me the stereotypical effect where you're just sitting there laughing. I went back to that dispensary trying to get it again and was never able to find it again. There's a certain legitimacy to field guides, or any reference book that documents variations of a species. Was legitimacy the intention? Absolutely. It's not this stoner druggie culture anymore; it's becoming a real industry. It's like the wild, wild West. Or craft beer. It's a bunch of little guys tinkering and creating new strains. Some of them totally take off and blow up and you see them all over the place. What happens to the buds after you've shot them? I usually get to sample them. Not all the time, but that's a perk of the job.