Discrepancies in marijuana laws continue to create serious problems forpatients

[caption id="attachment_14051" align="alignleft" width="300"] Medical marijuana sign - wikimedia commons[/caption]

Top news on MSNBC includes a story of the arrest of actor Armie Hammer in Texas for possession of marijuana.  The evidence of his offense consisted of less than an ounce of marijuana in addition to three medicinal marijuana cookies and one brownie.  This is the kind of product those who use marijuana for medical purposes would carry with them, especially for certain chronic conditions and a prime example of the problems involved when some states allow medical marijuana use while the federal government and other states do not.

The recent raids in California continue to reveal the problems involved in the dispensing of marijuana.   More than 20,000 persons were arrested in California last year for possession of marijuana.     It has also been found that African-Americans are among the most likely to be arrested for marijuana use, four times more likely than whites.

On one side of the debate about marijuana are the proponents of legalizing marijuana use for everyone.  On the other, are those who oppose marijuana based on a view that states the drug is simply that and too often used for a “high” that can impact perception and judgment.  Caught in the middle are those who have medical conditions that help in the control of those conditions or who allow the patient to manage the pain and discomfort of sometimes disabling conditions.

Oregon is one of those states where medical marijuana users walk the line on using the drug, either inside or outside the state.  The card-carrying marijuana user who has been approved to use the drug for medicinal purposes also receives a warning letter when the card is issued that the Federal government does not approve of the drug and that the user is on her/his own in fighting any legal battle regarding the use of marijuana.  That risk is enhanced if a user crosses the state line into any other state where the law prohibits use of marijuana for any purpose.  Texas is one of those states.

Human Collective, an organization in Tigard, Oregon,  is one of those centers that promote the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.  Unlike other dispensing facilities, this center is scrupulous in who it allows into the facility and literally requires not just the evidence that the customer’s use is legal under Oregon law but that the delivery is rational, discreet and within tight guidelines that follow virtually a drugstore-type reception.  They, like the patients they serve, must be cautious as a result of the conflicts within the Oregon community of politicians, the Federal government and other states.

Texas does not recognize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes and therefore prosecutes those possessing the drug on a criminal basis.  Armie Hammer, and others like him, if caught with the small amount of marijuana as in the situation reported this morning, can face up to six months in jail and a $2000 fine on the first offense.

College offers education for growing, cultivating, delivery medicalmarijuana

[caption id="attachment_6770" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Marijuana plant"][/caption]

Carol Forsloff - In California folks continue to be enterprising with a college for marijuana growers and users to develop the drug for medicinal use.  Is this potentially good business?

In Shasta Lake, California, according to a recent press release, there will be a 2-day event  featuring how to grow marijuana legally.

The goal is to demonstrate that this can be a good business for farmers and cultivators.  The college takes place July 16 and 17 at Red Lion Inn in the high mountains of Lake Shasta.

College Business Director, George Boyardiian of 402 College says, "It's not hard or as expensive to comply with the law as people think.  We focus on simple steps that a medical marijuana collective, delivery service or member farm need to take to get up and running, legally. We cover best practices for cultivation and testing, as well. Two days and the cost of the seminar are a lot less then the price we've seen others pay for ignoring cultivation guidelines, or by following someone's advice that's mis-informed about the law."

The press release goes on to say that featured speakers at the college will include people from the medical marijuana industry who have years of practical experience to share about how to start and run a marijuana business right down to the details of growing and delivering the goods.   Folks can register online at this address.

There is a growing underground industry in marijuana, but there are federal laws against it.   Still California, like other states where medical marijuana is legal, has its own set of regulations.  Those codes can be found here under “compassionate use” legislation.

There is even a YouTube video that gives folks information on the laws referencing growing and cultivating marijuana in California,  that will give potential students at the 402 college some introductory information in advance.  It appears there is sufficient business potential with the growing number of states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes for training in how to be successful in the drug business.