Ganjapreneur.com

Garyn Angel: Empowering Patients with Homemade Cannabis Infusions

6/02/2015

Anyone who has tried likely remembers the first time they attempted to infuse butter with cannabis, and everyone’s story probably shares a common theme of rookie mistakes and an unfamiliarity with the whole infusion process. But what if there were a way to standardize the process—to eliminate the variables and deliver consistent quality and potency every time?

Our latest interview features Garyn Angel, the ganjapreneur behind MagicalButter—a company that is working hard to bring top-quality, consistent edibles and infusions to cannabis patients everywhere. MagicalButter has developed an appliance anyone can easily use in their home kitchen to make cannabis-infused butter, oil, and tincture. The MagicalButter machine features an internal microprocessor for simple operation and consistency in every batch.

In this interview, Garyn describes how he transitioned from his career as a financial planner into his current role at MagicalButter, how the company has grown since its inception, and what he predicts the next few years hold in store for cannabis legalization.

Read the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: How did MagicalButter get started, and what was your inspiration to invent a product that could make consistent batches of cannabis butter?

Garyn Angel: In 2010, I had a friend with Crohn’s disease. I wanted to help him, and he was intimidated by the process of making cannabutter because he had failed to get good results. The original concept for MagicalButter controlled his Crohn’s outbreaks; then we added a microprocessor for consistency and ease of use.

Did you have prior experience making cannabutter, or was it a process that you learned and adapted existing technology to improve?

I had made cannabutter several times, with varied success. MagicalButter was designed to empower patients: Push a button, and let a microprocessor control the process.

After you built your first prototype, how long did it take for MagicalButter to become your full-time career?

The transition from prototype to CEO of MagicalButter was about two years. I sold my firm and left a 15-year career as an award-winning financial planner three months after we opened. It was a leap of faith, but helping others recharged my passion for life.

What were the reactions of your colleagues and business contacts when you told them you were starting a company related to medical cannabis?

My colleagues, family, and business contacts thought I was crazy, but they fully supported my decision. The easiest way to succeed in life is to help others, and that’s what MagicalButter does; so, as a company, I was passionate and confident we would accomplish our goals. So, I followed my heart.

How many people does MagicalButter currently employ?

MagicalButter America has 17 full-time employees.

What is one of the greatest obstacles you have faced while growing the business?

Growing a business is a fun journey; the travel schedule is demanding. Traveling domestically and internationally teaches patience, tolerance, and understanding, which are skills every ganjapreneur needs. The greatest obstacle we learned to overcome was language barriers. The secret is to use pictures and illustrations instead of spoken words. Sometimes my screenshots look like hieroglyphics.

How are you planning to expand MagicalButter as the legal cannabis industry continues to spread to new states and regions?

The laws in the United States and globally have to change because science is proving them to be unjust. The medical community has in certain parts of the world already embraced cannabis as medicine. More than ever patients and parents have a desire for natural treatment options. MagicalButter is available in all 50 states; we are focused on growing our brand internationally. MagicalButter Australia’s Grand Opening was May 2015. Currently we are expanding to South Africa, Israel, Portugal, Costa Rica, and the UK.

What do you think has been the greatest contributing factor to your company’s success?

The MagicalButter machine makes consistent cannabutter, oil, balms and salves, and TeamMB is passionate about customer service… but ultimately the single greatest factor in success is our customers. They are great people! We built MagicalButter on Facebook; our posts attracted like-minded people. They liked, commented and shared—many became customers. Customers referred their friends and family. They created a facebook group Magical Butter Users United to help each other with cannabis-infused recipes. I am proud of TeamMB, but we owe our success to our customers. We tell them thank you every chance we can.

What would you say is the most difficult part of running a business in the cannabis industry?

Cannabis, or marijuana, is prohibited in banking and most advertising platforms regardless of the context. Even if you do everything right, being linked to cannabis bottlenecks opportunities. I was selected to the CNBC NEXT List (along with Elon Musk, Tim Cook, LeBron James) for our work with legal marijuana; we could not advertise because the word Marijuana. Even if it’s not advertising, you face inequalities. MagicalButter won the popular vote at the largest food show in the US; however, the show overlooked MagicalButter because of our association to cannabis. I embrace challenges, but I am eager to have a level playing field.

What do you think the next two years hold in store for the legalization movement? Do you think there is any chance of a federal crackdown on states that have legalized?

We are at the crossroads of the legalization movement. Humans have endocannabinoid systems, and cannabinoids are a dietary supplement that balances deficiencies. Science has proved this. Cannabis must be legalized, and I am openly optimistic about changes to cannabis laws in the near future. The current federal government and the DEA guidelines allow states to handle their own cannabis laws; recent raids have been on businesses in violation of state law. There’s a new ‘sheriff’ in town at the DEA, and cannabis is a solution, not a problem. People are great, the world is beautiful, and plants hold most of the answers.

What is one piece of advice you would offer to an aspiring ganjapreneur?

Greet people with a smile, look them in the eye, and treat others how you would want to be treated. Avoid drama and anyone who focuses on problems over solutions. The challenges of building a business are fun—treat your team as a family and reward them often. Live with passion, and believe you can do it, because you can.

Thank you, Garyn, for sharing your experience in the industry with us! We look forward to watching the continued growth and success of MagicalButter as the validity of medical cannabis is embraced around the world.

For more information about MagicalButter, you may visit their website. Questions and/or comments? Post them below!

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Boston Mayor Comes Out Strongly Against Marijuana Legalization

6/02/2015

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has come out as a fervent opponent of Massachusetts marijuana legalization, stating that he would be “absolutely” ready to take a stand against an anticipated legalization referendum.

Walsh, a recovering alcoholic and advocate for those dealing with drug addiction, said that he has “seen too many lives ruined by starting to smoke weed and then, eventually, going to other types of drugs… I just think it would be a mistake to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts.”

Although Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley are opposed to legalization, none have stepped into the spotlight like Mayor Walsh has. Coming out so strongly against legalization is seen as politically risky; strong majorities approved a measure in 2008 to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis and another measure in 2012 to legalize medical marijuana.

Mayor Walsh appears to be acting from what he views to be a moral position; one adviser said the mayor feels so strongly about the legalization movement “that he is willing to use his political capital to let people know that he is not in favor of it.”

Walsh has a two-thirds approval rating, and could be in a position to turn the tide in Boston’s legalization debate. Democratic strategist Steve Crawford noted that “the most important thing you need for a ballot question is to introduce emotion into the debate… On this issue, no one has greater credibility than Mayor Walsh, and he is a formidable voice for families struggling with substance abuse.”

Walsh dismissed arguments that marijuana is not a dangerous substance: “I view it as a gateway drug,” he stated. “Some people can, I guess, smoke it recreationally and they don’t get addicted to it, but there’s a large number of people that are in recovery now or that are struggling on the streets with addiction, and they got their start by smoking weed.”

When asked whether he is concerned that marijuana arrests disproportionately affect people of color, Walsh was incredulous: “So because of racial disparities we legalize a drug that potentially could kill people, lead to death? I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to do it.”

Source:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/05/31/walsh-could-lead-anti-marijuana-legalization-effort/EArW3aHfeA02r2eJ8HJrrO/story.html

Photo Credit: Rene Schwietzke

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Washington Liquor Control Board to License Approximately 400 Medical Dispensaries

6/01/2015

The Washington State Liquor Control Board is set to be retitled the ‘Liquor and Cannabis Board’ on July 24th. The Board will be charged with deciding which of the state’s collective gardens will be allowed to obtain licenses to become legal medical marijuana outlets under the recently-passed Senate Bill 5052.

Collective gardens — Washington’s term for medical marijuana dispensaries — have been essentially unregulated since 2011, when the governor used a line-item veto to remove much of the language in a bill that would have regulated such stores. Once the state legalized recreational cannabis, it became clear that the new industry would have trouble competing with a legal but unregulated quasi-medical system.

The state’s currently-operating collective gardens will be forced to close by July 1st, 2016. The Liquor and Cannabis Board will use a merit-based system to determine which collective gardens will be awarded licenses to become recreational outlets. Of the 825 outlets the Board expects to apply, around half will be given licenses.

Collective gardens that have been operating since before 2013 and have paid taxes will be given first priority.

Sources:

https://thejointblog.com/wa-liquor-control-board-to-allow-roughly-400-dispensaries-to-become-licensed-outlets/

http://www.samefacts.com/2014/04/drug-policy/washington-state-court-of-appeals-bans-medical-marijuana-stores/

Photo Credit: Neon Tommy

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Florida MMJ Law Moves Forward Following Legal Suit

5/29/2015

A Florida judge upheld the state’s proposed medical marijuana law in a ruling Wednesday, which allows the state to begin licensing growers this summer.

In a case brought by an Orange County grower that claimed that proposed medical marijuana law unfairly favored large, politically-connected nurseries in bids for five regional licenses, Florida Administrative Hearings Judge David Watkins ruled against the plaintiff.

In upholding the current language of the bill, the ruling allows the Florida Department of Health to begin receiving license applications, assuming the claimant, Baywood Nurseries of Apopka, doesn’t appeal the ruling.

Backers of the proposed law were, unsurprisingly, exultant. “It’s about time we all moved forward on this,” said Seth Hyman, a Weston resident seeking to procure medicine for his nine-year-old daughter. “”It’s been too long, and the patients of Florida continue to suffer.”

The proposed law allows just five companies across the state to produce low-THC cannabis oil extracts for sale to patients suffering from intractable epilepsy and certain other conditions. Since going into effect in July 2014, the law has been in limbo following legal suits brought against it.

It is unclear how soon patients will have access to the medicine. Kerry Herndon, of Kerry’s Nursery in Apopka, said that it’s possible that he could have oil extracts ready somewhere between 90-160 days after he receives seedlings.

Source:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-charlottes-web-ruling-20150526-story.html

Photo Credit: Mark

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Ecuador May Decriminalize All Illegal Drugs

5/28/2015

A ruling party lawmaker in Ecuador introduced legislation to decriminalize the personal use of all drugs. If passed, Ecuador would become the second country in the world, and the first in the Western hemisphere, to take such a step.

The legislation, proposed by Carlos Velasco, the head of Ecuador’s congressional Commission of the Right to Health, would regulate more than 100 substances. A state agency would oversee the importation, exportation, production and cultivation of the drugs, and those wishing to obtain them would be required to register with the agency.

Portugal became the first country in the world to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs in 2001. There, individuals caught with small amounts of a drug are sentenced rehabilitative therapy and/or community service rather than jail time.

Ecuador’s move might also signal a change in the way Latin American countries address the U.S.’s militaristic approach to drug problems there.

“Addressing the drug phenomenon in a repressive way, as it did in the 80s and 90s, where prison was the only place for a drug consumer, is absurd,” said Velasco. “The traditional way of regulating and fighting drugs, emphasizing criminalization … can’t be sustained in Ecuador.”

Under current law, small-time offenders are indistinguishable from drug lords, and Ecuador’s prison population is by some estimates at twice its capacity. In response, President Rafael Correa began freeing hundreds of drug ‘mules’ from Ecuadorian prisons last year. Correa, whose father spent three years in a U.S. prison for drug smuggling when Correa was a child, argues that small-scale transporters are victims, not perpetrators, of the drug trade.

Source:

http://fusion.net/story/137940/heres-the-next-country-ready-to-throw-in-the-towel-on-the-u-s-war-on-drugs/

Photo Credit: Theodore Scott

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VA Doctors to See Marijuana Gag-Order Lifted Following Senate Committee Vote

5/27/2015

Veterans Administration doctors will soon be able to recommend medical marijuana to their patients per the bipartisan Veterans Equal Access Amendment passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), was tacked onto a military construction and veterans affairs spending bill and is almost certain to pass when voted on by the Senate.

The passage of the bill by the committee represents the first time marijuana law reforms have been moved by the Senate. Under the current regime the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits healthcare providers from so much as discussing marijuana as a treatment option for veterans even in states where it is legal.

“Veterans in medical marijuana states should be treated the same as any other resident, and should be able to discuss marijuana with their doctor and use it if it’s medically necessary,” Michael Collins, policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance said in a press release. “They have served this country valiantly, so the least we can do is allow them to have full and open discussions with their doctors.”

A 2014 study by the RAND Corporation found 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while a 2011 study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of health put that figure between four and 17 percent. A 2014 study by doctors in New Mexico, the first state to approve marijuana for PTSD, found a 75 percent reduction in PTSD symptom scores for veterans who used marijuana as a treatment.

“Veterans disproportionately suffer from a number of conditions that can be effectively treated with medical marijuana, such as chronic pain, PTSD, phantom limb syndrome, traumatic brain injury and cancer from battlefield exposure to carcinogens, just to name a few,” Mike Liszewski, Americans for Safe Access government affairs director said.

Michael Krawitz, executive director of Veterans for Medical Cannabis and a disabled Air Force Veteran notes that both Canada and Israel will supply their veterans with marijuana for free as part of their veterans benefits program while veterans in the U.S., at this point, can’t so much as have a conversation with their VA doctor. Krawitz says in some cases VA doctors in legal states will refer their patients to another doctor that will prescribe marijuana – however for many veterans the financial cost of seeing a non-VA doctor is prohibitive.

Krawtiz says if veterans are allowed to talk to their VA doctor about marijuana therapies they will at be able to finally learn about their options and determine whether it is right for them.

“What we need to see is VA doctors being allowed to recommend and then an organized effort to educate the VA doctors about the cannabinoid system and cannabis as medicine and then we should see a fair number of doctors participating and utilizing this as a medicine,” Krawitz said. “There are a lot of doctors in the VA system that already know about cannabis as medicine and their hands are tied.”

Krawitz agrees that the committee vote is a step in the right direction but only veterans in the 23 legal states and Washington, D.C. will be helped by the new rules. He would like to see marijuana downgraded from its schedule one status so the plant can be properly researched with hopes that further research will provide veterans with more access options.

Photo Credit: Public Affairs Office Fort Wainright

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Louisiana Senate Advances Bill to Reduce Cannabis Possession Penalties

5/27/2015

The Louisiana State Senate voted 27-12 on Monday to advance a bill that would reduce marijuana possession penalties. The law would create a new penalty system for those caught with less than 2.5 pounds.

Under current Louisiana law, a first-time misdemeanor sentence can carry with it a fine of up to $500 and six months in jail. Second-time offenders can be charged with a felony, a $2,500 fine and five years in prison, and repeat offenders can receive a maximum fine of $5,000 and 20 years behind bars.

The proposed bill would not change penalties for first-time possession charges of between 14 grams and 2.5 pounds. Possession of less than 14 grams would be punishable by up 15 days in jail and a fine of up to $300. Second-time offenders would be subject to a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail; third-time offenders would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to two years prison time and a $2,500 fine; and subsequent offenses would be a felony carrying with it up to a $5,000 fine and eight years behind bars (down from 20 under current law).

The bill would also give first-time offenders a one-time opportunity to have their record expunged after two years without another conviction.

J.P. Morrell (D.-New Orleans), SB 241’s sponsor, says the proposal would bring the state’s penalty system into the company of other states “in a way that is more humane.” The maximum prison time for a marijuana possession charge in most states is a year or less.

The bill now heads to the House to be debated.

Source:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/05/marijuana_laws_louisiana_penal.html

Photo Credit: Antrell Williams

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Illinois Senate Passes Cannabis Decriminalization Bill

5/25/2015

The Illinois Senate passed a measure Thursday to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Under the measure, those caught with less than 15 grams of cannabis would be subject to a fine of up to $125, but would not be eligible for court time or arrest. Currently, low-level possession charges can lead to up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 37-19. It passed the House last month, but won’t go directly to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for approval. Rather, sponsors say they’re holding onto the bill until further cleanup language is approved.

Sen. Michael Noland (D.-Elgin), one of the sponsors of the bill, said that while he personally believes that marijuana use is wrong, he doesn’t think people’s personal and professional lives should be damaged by jail time because of it.

Opponents of the measure have criticized the bill for failing to impose treatment requirements or limits of the number of tickets offenders can receive.

Source:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-marijuana-decriminalization-met-0522-20150521-story.html

Photo Credit: Tony Webster

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Four Cannabis Retailers in Washington State Caught Selling to Minors

5/22/2015

Four of 22 pot shops in Washington State were busted for selling marijuana to underage shoppers in sting operations this month, according to a statement made Wendesday by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

The WSLCB called each of the retail marijuana stores to warn them before the state-run sting began and to bring their attention to best practices in avoiding illegal sales. In an email sent out Wednesday, the board cited four stores, two in Everett and two in Tacoma, that sold marijuana to 18-20 year-old operatives. This represents an 82% compliance rate.

This was Washington’s first round of compliance checks, conducted May 15-18 in Skagit, Snohomish, Kitsap, Pierce and Cowlitz Counties.

The Board’s liquor enforcement officers can issue Administrative Violation Notices to stores that fail these checks, as well as fines and/or temporary license suspensions in the case of severe or frequent violations.

Because they present a public safety threat, sales to a minor are considered to be the most serious infraction, and can be punished with a 10-day license suspension or a $2,500 fine. A store with three public safety infractions within the span of three years can have its license revoked.

Photo Credit: Dank Depot

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Critics Call Texas MMJ Bill “Unworkable”

5/21/2015

The Texas House of Representatives passed a bill Monday that aims to provide medical marijuana access to patients with intractable seizure conditions. Medical marijuana advocates, however, argue that the bill is unworkable.

The House passed SB 339, the Texas Compassionate Use Act, by a vote of 96 to 34. The bill will now be sent to Republican Governor Greg Abbott for approval.

Introduced by Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler), the bill would allow patients access to low-THC marijuana only, which is defined in the bill as cannabis comprising less than 0.5% THC by weight. Such cannabis must also contained at least 10% cannabidiol (CBD). The bill prohibits the smoking of the plant.

Many activists have criticized some of the bill’s provisions, which they claim make it unworkable. Under the bill, doctors are required to “prescribe” patients marijuana: doing so is a violation of federal law. Other medical marijuana bills allow doctors merely to “recommend” patients marijuana–recommendations are protected by the First Amendment.

Some have also criticized the proposed THC-CBD ratio, claiming that a greater ratio is often needed to effectively reduce the severity and frequency of seizures. Others have taken issue with the fact that the bill limits access to those with seizures, noting the abundance of research underscoring marijuana’s benefits for patients suffering from other conditions.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Source:

http://reason.com/blog/2015/05/18/texas-house-approves-cannabis-oil-bill-t

Photo Credit: Coleen Whitfield

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New Doobster App for On Demand Legal Marijuana Delivery Does Things Differently

5/20/2015

Logistics Trust, Inc. has launched a subsidiary named Doobster (www.Doobster.org), a mobile application and platform (the “Doobster Platform”) that allows a consumer of legal marijuana to order products from their smart phones, tablets or computer and have the products delivered to their physical location. Doobster is launching in 15 states by empowering stakeholders at all levels with its innovative business model.

Started as a logistics and compliance consulting company in January 2013 by Scott Abadjian, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Logistics Trust, Inc. (“Logistics Trust”) now intends to provide consumers with an on-demand mobile (SaaS) platform. The robust and flexible Doobster Platform is very user-friendly. Consumers can register and order products quickly and with confidence. Products are delivered to a consumer’s location within minutes by using smart algorithms, advanced routing, heat maps, GPS, location services and other techniques.

But the Founder and Chief Executive Officer emphasizes, “Doobster is not Uber for marijuana; we are more than a marijuana delivery app.” The Company intends to make the term “doobster” synonymous with quality logistics and compliance facilitation services within the legal marijuana industry. Another objective of the Company is to create long-term value for its customers and business partners through the quality of its technology and services, its ability to facilitate compliance with applicable state and local laws, and its active commitment to helping customers and business partners build wealth.

Doobster Platform users will include the following parties:

– State-authorized Cooperatives/Collectives/Dispensaries (“vendors”; “dispensaries”);
– State-authorized legal marijuana product couriers (“drivers”), who are thoroughly screened by Doobster before being included in a dispensary’s driver pool and issued access to the Doobster Platform; and
– State-authorized legal marijuana consumers (“consumers”; “patients”), who are thoroughly screened by Doobster before being granted access to the Doobster

Doobster does not grow, produce, process, distribute or sell marijuana or marijuana products. As a unit of a software logistics and compliance facilitation services company, it will deliver the following commercial services:

– Enable consumers to search for a Doobster-connected vendor of legal marijuana products within their local market area and state;
– Enable consumers to order legal marijuana products from the inventories of a Doobster- connected vendor within their local market area and state;
– Enable consumers to request and receive delivery of legal marijuana products by a driver affiliated with a Doobster-connected vendor to their current location; and
– Enable consumers to pay for their purchases of legal marijuana

Abadjian is passionate about making sure that all parties in the Doobster service delivery chain obtain real value from the Company’s technology and services. “This is an incredible time in our nation’s history. Cannabis has the potential to revolutionize the economy at local, state and national levels. We have not built a marijuana delivery app just for our benefit. My aim is people helping people. From cultivators to dispensaries to drivers to consumers to licensees to community residents to government regulators, Doobster helps to address the socio-political- economic interests of each of those stakeholders in a harmonized manner,” says Abadjian.

Studies show that both medical and recreational marijuana users of various demographic groups, including mobility-challenged, older people, business professionals and high-profile individuals, welcome discreet and legally compliant delivery of their cannabis products. Since many local ordinances limit the number and visibility of marijuana storefronts, the Doobster Platform enables vendors and consumers to communicate with a smart device or computer and execute a state- sanctioned legal marijuana purchase without the need for consumers to drive to dispensaries or wait in long lines to transact their business. A post-order in-store pick-up is also an option with use of the Doobster Platform for those who may be on the go and simply want to avoid long lines and wait times.

Abadjian emphasizes, “Our Doobster Platform satisfies the desire of vendors, consumers, community residents and government officials to allow state-authorized users of legal marijuana to access products in a safe, efficient and discreet manner. The Doobster Platform also negates the debate about the perceived negative stigma associated with visible, high-profile marijuana retail storefronts. Our business model addresses the core realities of the marijuana industry – people want easy, safe, discreet and reliable access to products, communities want to maintain their family-friendly standards, vendors want an effective means to drive sales, government officials want practical ways to regulate the industry and foster tax revenue, and business professionals want entry into the industry without the risk of violating federal, state or local laws.”

One of several distinguishing factors for Doobster is its use of a license model to open new state and county territories (called “DMA’s”) and enroll state-authorized dispensaries to adopt the Doobster Platform. Licensees at the state-level and DMA-levels serve as Doobster authorized representatives, complimenting internal Company sales and customer support teams. State and DMA licensees are also responsible for helping to foster community relations and maintain close relationships with dispensaries, as well as the customers and communities served. Licensees are vetted for their customer relationship management skills, sales, marketing, business management and financial acumen, as well as their local community connections and other attributes.

Having licensees who are well-established in their communities and vested in the success of the Doobster Platform in their territories provides multiple benefits. One important benefit is that it keeps a large percentage of the income generated by the Doobster Platform within the community, which creates jobs and economic security for the community.

“Our licensee model will afford local business professionals opportunities to get involved and benefit financially from the exploding legal marijuana industry without producing, handling, distributing or selling marijuana products,” says Michael Watorski, Vice President of Sales.

Licensee applications are now being accepted. Watorski has already sold several State and DMA licenses and demand has been brisk.

“What separates us from the competition is that our licensees receive a generous percentage split of the monthly Doobster revenue” says Watorski. He adds, “In addition, all licensees are issued Company stock, allowing them to profit from the ongoing success of the Company.”

To be clear, the company is not selling stock to licensees, dispensaries, drivers, employees or other stakeholders. The Equity participation and stock issuance awards are similar to a hybrid loyalty program and are designed to fully comply with all federal and state securities laws.

Logistics Trust not only shares equity with State and DMA licensees, but also with its dispensaries. “We’re stepping into this industry in a very innovative way to create real separation from the competition,” says Darryl K. Henderson, J.D., Chief Operations Officer. Henderson adds, “All dispensaries that adopt and utilize the Doobster Platform will receive an equity stake in the Company. In other words, not only do we create value with the quality of our technology and services, when we prosper, our business partners and customers prosper as well.”

Abadjian is very proud of the talented and diverse team of executives, internal sales professionals, technology staff and customer support staff assembled to deliver the Doobster Platform. “Our employees are our most valuable asset. We expect them to perform to exacting standards each and every day.” Abadjian adds, “We have been fortunate to assemble an outstanding team of seasoned business professionals to execute the Doobster operations.”

Doobster is moving into 15 states, including the following:

Alaska Maryland Oregon

Arizona Massachusetts Vermont

California Minnesota Washington

Colorado New Hampshire

Illinois New Mexico

Maine Nevada

The first phase of Doobster Platform launch has begun and involves accepting applications to become State and DMA licensees. The first State in which Doobster will operate is scheduled for launch in June, with a small group of select dispensaries participating in the launch. Consumers and prospective drivers for dispensaries are strongly encouraged to pre-register on the Doobster website and will be able to check for updates as June approaches. The Company is also engaged in a continuation of its angel investor fundraising.

The Official launch date of the Doobster Platform to the public will be announced on June 1st. It will take place in states that have both legalized marijuana sales and authorized legal marijuana deliveries.

Doobster is committed to following the law to exacting standards in all of the jurisdictions where it will operate. It will only work with licensed dispensaries and lawful drivers legally authorized to carry marijuana in their states.

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Oregon Senate Committee Approves Bill to Tamper With State MMJ Program

5/20/2015

The Oregon Senate Special Committee, charged with creating rules regarding Oregon Measure 91, voted unanimously to send Senate Bill 964. The proposed bill would make serious changes to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP).

Among these changes is a stipulation that all medical cannabis growers would be required to submit a report each month to Oregon Health Authority stating the “number of mature and immature marijuana plants, the amount of marijuana leaves and flowers being dried, and the amount of usable marijuana, in the person’s possession” and “the number of mature and mature marijuana plants, and the amount of usable marijuana, that the person transfers to each registry identification cardholder for whom the person produces marijuana.” The monthly report would also be required to note the “amount of usable marijuana that the person transfers to each marijuana processing site: and…to each medical marijuana dispensary.”

The bill also creates grow site limits. Grow sites within cities would be limited to a maximum of 12 mature plants, irrespective of the number of patients registered to the site. Grow sites registered prior to January 1st, 2015 can be grandfathered in with a maximum of 24 mature plants. Similar rules apply to sites outside city limits, with caps at 48 and 96 plants.

The bill would also allow cities or counties to ban the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries and processing sites within their jurisdictions.

Oregon Measure 91, on which the Special Committee was created to work on, states in three different places that the OMMP should be left unchanged, regardless of what rules the committee makes for recreational marijuana.

Source:

http://www.theweedblog.com/oregon-senate-committee-approves-harmful-medical-marijuana-bill/

Photo Credit: Jessica Paterson

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New DEA Head Expected to Alleviate Focus On Marijuana

5/20/2015

Attorney General Loretta Lynch has named Chuck Rosenberg the new director of the DEA. Rosenberg, currently the chief of staff to FBI director James B. Comey, will replace Michele Leonhart as DEA head. The Obama administration asked Leonhart to resign last month following her poor handling of reports that DEA agents hired prostitutes, as well as an incident in which agents left a detained someone for more than four days without food or water.

Lynch named Rosenberg acting administrator, though he is likely to direct the DEA throughout the remainder of the Obama’s presidency.

A senior administration official stated that Rosenberg will focus less on marijuana enforcement and instead direct attention to heroin and other drugs. He is also expected to update the DEA’s procedures regarding the classification, declassification, and reclassification of drugs.

Despite Leonhart’s resignation amidst scandals at the agency, she was well-regarded at the agency, and many expect that Rosenberg will have to restore morale there.

Source:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-dea-administrator-20150513-story.html

Photo Credit: Brett Neilson

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Dan Humiston: Creating the International Cannabis Association

5/19/2015

by Ganjapreneur

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dan Humiston, founder and president of the International Cannabis Association, who represents a large demographic of hopeful entrants to the cannabis industry. While there are plenty of people across the U.S. who are looking to transition from a black market cannabis career to owning a regulated business in the legal industry, there is also much interest from people who see cannabis purely as a business opportunity and who may have never grown–or even consumed–it themselves.

In this interview, Dan talks about how he made the choice to transition from his successful career as a business owner to founding a cannabis business association, and what he predicts the future holds for the legalization movement.

Read the full interview below:

Ganjapreneur: How did you first get involved in the cannabis industry, and what was the transition like from your previous career?

Dan Humiston: In 1985 I opened my first tanning salon and over the next 30 years I grew my chain Tanning Bed Inc. to the largest chain in New York and one of the largest chains in the country. In the mid 2000’s, tanning industry sales started to fall and by the end of the decade it was apparent that I needed to find ways to reduce or repurpose the space of my stores which were over 4,000 square feet. In 2012 I saw a 60 minute report about the cannabis industry and started trying to figure out how divide my tanning salons into tanning salons and dispensaries. Oddly enough, the industry association would not provide information to non-industry companies because they said “they were an industry association formed by industry companies, so why would they willingly provide information for future competitors?” I attended a trade show in late 2013 but felt unwelcome because the show was designed and built for people already in the industry. Realizing that there are many other aspiring marijuana entrepreneurs that are looking for help, I decided to fill the void.

What are some of the International Cannabis Association’s primary goals?

The only goal of the ICA is to help people get into the cannabis industry. We are not an advocacy association because there are already groups doing a great job fighting to make cannabis legal. Our mission is to open the cannabis industry to anyone who is interested.

What are some of the ways that the ICA helps people get involved?

The ICA was founded by entrepreneurs and business people who were not in the cannabis industry. This foundation gives the ICA a unique perspective and understanding of the kind of information and access that professionals are looking for. The cannabis industry is transitioning from a criminal, underground industry to a legitimate industry. The ICA provides information in a format designed for the future of the industry, not the past.

What do you think the next two years have in store for the legalization movement?

Over the next two years I believe that a lot of states will pass medical marijuana laws and some states will pass recreational laws. I think that marijuana will be a important topic in the 2016 presidential campaign forcing Congress to seriously address the issue in 2017.

If a Republican wins the presidency, do you think we will see any kind of push-back from the federal government against states who have legalized cannabis?

The 2016 presidential elections are on everyone’s mind. The industry should expect change no matter who wins. Some of the changes will be good and some will be bad but all of the changes will create opportunities for solid, nimble companies. 2017 is going to be even more exciting.

Which market do you think will have the biggest impact on our economy over the next ten years: recreational, medical, or industrial hemp?

Industrial hemp has the potential to have the biggest impact on our overall economy over the next ten years because it impacts so many industries.

Of the states that may legalize cannabis in some form or another within the next two years, which are you most optimistic about?

California.

If California legalizes recreational cannabis, what would that mean for the industry as a whole?

If / when California legalizes recreational marijuana it will be a game changer. It will motivate other states to follow them to legalize recreational in their state. That will put the pressure on the Feds to change many federal laws including banking laws which will likely lead to changing marijuana from a schedule 1.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone starting a business in the cannabis industry?

Go to our NYC or LA Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions to learn from industry experts and Network, Network, Network. There is so much opportunity: the fastest way to get involved and find your niche is to talk to both people already in the industry and people who want to get into the industry. So many people who attended one of our shows last year discovered the idea, met the partner, signed the licensing agreement or got the investment at our show and launched their cannabis business.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, Dan! We look forward to seeing the ICA build bridges to help ganjapreneurs get the information and preparation they need to grow their cannabis businesses.

For more information about the ICA and the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo, follow these links:

CWCBExpo: www.cwcbexpo.com

ICA Website: www.internationalcannabisassociation.com

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Historically Anti-Cannabis Senators Urge Removal of Barriers for MMJ Research

5/19/2015

U.S. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) have long been some of the staunchest anti-marijuana lawmakers in Congress. They’ve supported the War on Drugs, opposed marijuana reform at each opportunity, and came out strongly against the Obama administration’s decisions to allow states to legalize medical and recreational marijuana.

Tom Angell of Marijuana Majority reports that recently, the two senators have displayed what may be a change of heart, at least with regards to medical marijuana. The two anti-cannabis warriors have joined forces to pressure the federal government to lessen the burden on scientists who want to conduct research on the drug’s medical benefits.

Grassley and Feinstein sent letters to the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week that urge the departments to “determine ways to remove any unnecessary barriers that stand in the way of research into the potential medical benefits of marijuana.” The senators contacted the departments last October as well, informing them that while they “do not support the use of smoked marijuana as medicine,” they “are concerned that existing regulations may have the unintended consequence of inhibiting additional research on potential medical uses for marijuana; specifically, cannabidiol,” or CBD.

Grassley and Feinstein’s main concern is with current federal regulations that oblige scientists to undergo extra reviews each time they make even small changes to their research methods. Marijuana research proposals are also subject to a review by the Public Health Service–in addition to the Food and Drug Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other reviews–a step unique to marijuana among drug research.

The Justice Department and the HHS gave inconsistent replies. Assistant attorney general Peter J. Kadzik argued that current review protocols are necessary and not overbearing. He specifically noted that additional DEA requests for review, required when a researcher plans to “deviate from the previously approved research protocol (other than the quantity of controlled substance),” are important because “material deviations in the research protocol could potentially alter the scientific merit of the research and have impacts on the health and safety of the human research subjects.”

In contrast, HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell stated that the agency is “committed to supporting the efficient and timely development of safe and effective new medicines and is actively considering options within our regulatory paradigm to enable more scientific study on marijuana.” She also noted that HHS is working with the FDA “to alleviate any unnecessary burdens that inhibit research and development in this area.”

In response, Senators Feinstein and Grassley drew attention to the agencies’ confliction responses in two new letters to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and HHS Secretary Burwell. The senators request that the two agencies look into whether CBD should be reclassified under the Controlled Substances Act:

“This request is based on the fact that a scientific and medical evaluation of CBD has never been conducted by the federal government, despite the growing anecdotal evidence that it may effectively treat intractable epilepsy in children. Many individuals across the country are suffering from serious medical conditions that might be alleviated by CBD. It is therefore critical that this evaluation be completed so that it can be determined if CBD should be down-scheduled and used as a medicine, or remain as currently scheduled.”

The senators requested a written response by July 5.

Source:

http://news.marijuana.com/news/2015/05/senate-drug-warriors-push-to-remove-marijuana-research-roadblocks/

Photo Credit: Mark

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The States Where Weed is the Cheapest (Oregon Wins)

5/18/2015

The price of weed tends to be cheapest in those states that have legalized recreational marijuana. According to the site PriceofWeed.com, where people can submit the price of black market or legal marijuana in their area, you can buy an ounce of high-quality marijuana for under $300 in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska. This is lower than the national average of $324.

Oregon beat out Colorado to boast the lowest weed prices in the country: you can get an ounce of marijuana there for just $204. In contrast, prices are the highest in North Dakota, where an ounce costs around $387.

In Washington D.C., where cannabis has been legalized recreationally but is not available for commercial purchasing, the price of an ounce is around $346.

Many factors, of course, are at play here, including the price of black market marijuana before legalization, the tax rates that were instituted as part of legalization, and the number and location of growers.

Source:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/frankbi/2015/05/12/the-most-and-least-expensive-states-to-buy-marijuana/

Photo Credit: Tom Booth

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Five Biggest Tech Trends in the Cannabis Industry

5/18/2015

The marijuana industry is growing at a rapid pace, and the tech sector of the marijuana industry presents a lot of business opportunities for people looking to cash in on the next great American industry. According to David Goldstein, co-founder of Potbotics Inc., the top five tech trends in the marijuana industry are: Internet based technology, smart machines, analytics, software-defined application and infrastructure, and security.

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Bullish On Ganja: Our Trip to the Denver Cannabis Cup

5/17/2015

There was a snow storm in Denver the night before we arrived. As a result, during our approach to the Denver International Airport, we had to make several passes to wait for the heavy winds to calm down. When we finally came in to land, the jet banked and bounced at the last second, drawing a collective gasp from the passengers, but then it leveled its wings, settling onto its landing gear and coming to a stop. I thought we were going to die, but we made it: we were going to the Cannabis Cup. On a business trip. For real.

Full disclosure: I still have a day job. I was traveling with my brother, our lead content coordinator, and I had taken several days off from work to make the journey. I didn’t lie to my boss about where I was going, but I didn’t exactly say that I was going to the HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup in Denver–on 4/20–and that I would be going to a Snoop Dogg concert.

Whatever happened, it was going to be a kick-ass weekend. My brother and I got our luggage and went to pick up our rental car. A Chevy “Spark.” Yep. Things were getting started off right.

On the first day of the event, we met up with Ganjapreneur.com CEO Andrew Rosener, and the entire Ganjapreneur team loaded into our appropriately-named vehicle and drove to the Denver Mart. The parking lot was full of thousands of people, and an overwhelming sense of positive energy and anticipation was evident as soon as we got out of the car.

As we got to the front of the line, a member of the security staff asked to do a bag check. My brother told him, “I do have some marijuana in there, sir.” The guy laughed and gestured us in: it was a “BYOC” event with designated recreating areas, so it was generally assumed that everyone present had a stash.

Needless to say, the event was awesome.

Within the first thirty minutes of walking around and soaking in the excitement, we noticed that Keith Stroup was at the NORML booth so we took the opportunity to meet him and ask if he would be willing to do a short Q&A. He graciously agreed, and Andrew asked him about how much ground the legalization movement will gain in the next two years, how it feels to witness the progress being made in Colorado and Washington, and what advice he had for aspiring ganjapreneurs.

It was an honor to meet such a prolific figure and activist in the industry, and the experience set the tone for the rest of our trip.

As we moved throughout the indoor section of the event, it was amazing to reflect on the fact that so many people are professionally involved in so many different aspects of the cannabis industry.

There were extraction system manufacturers, payment processing services, cleaning systems, construction specialists, grow light manufacturers, and countless other business services represented among the vendors. It was easy to see that the industry was booming: not only were these business services present, but the displays were extravagant and the representatives were experts in their fields. This was a marketplace, and the market was decidedly competitive.

The outdoor section of the Cannabis Cup was geared more toward consumers, and it seemed to be at least three times the size of the indoor section. Recreating was permitted outdoors, and accordingly, nearly everyone had a joint, blunt, spliff, or portable dab rig in their hands. The booths featured items such as apparel, innovative paraphernalia, art, and even the Tinderesque dating app HighThere! whose founder we interviewed earlier this spring.

There was also a large circle of food trucks (cue the munchies jokes) serving everything from crock pot creations to bags of Doritos filled with taco meat and cheese.

We took lots of photos, but we weren’t the only ones recording. CNN and other news organizations had journalists walking around, there was a HIGH TIMES drone camera flying above the crowd, and there were multiple airplanes pulling giant banners in circles around the Denver Mart.

Over the course of the weekend, there were also several educational seminars and panels on a variety of subjects. We attended many of these, but the most inspiring was probably the “Future of American Legalization” panel with some of the nation’s leading cannabis activists and advocates, including Keith Stroup, Mason Tvert, Charlo Greene, Sean McAllister, Michael Kennedy, and Rick Cusick. The room was packed and although most had been indulging in ganja, everyone’s undivided attention was focused on what the panelists had to say about which states would be next to legalize.

Another seminar we attended was titled “How to Get a Top Pot Job,” and it was also packed. There were some grumbles, however, when all of the panelists said they would not be able to hire anyone with a felony conviction, and also when the vast majority of them said they did not let their employees consume cannabis on the job. The one exception was Ricardo Baca, editor for the Denver Post, who said that he employs a few pot critics who are specifically required to get high and write about it.

On the night of the awards ceremony, my brother and I had partook of some indica and unfortunately failed to document what transpired as the winners were announced. Andrew was given the honor of presenting the award for Best Vaporizer, and he told us a story the next morning about how he had been tasked with babysitting stoned celebrities backstage.

If that wasn’t enough weed culture for us, we capped it off on Monday (April 20th) by attending the Snoop Dogg concert. It was a great show, and an excellent way to wrap up the weekend on a seriously high note.

Ultimately, we left Denver feeling very optimistic about the future of cannabis. There is a huge amount of momentum within the industry, and this was most evident in the diversity of those in attendance. With 50,000 people from all demographics, regions, and walks of life, the one constant was the respect they shared for one another–respect based on the mutual understanding that prohibition must end.

Possessing a plant which is less harmful than alcohol should not get anyone sent to prison, and the cannabis industry–which will exist whether or not it is legal–is better off managed by everyday citizens than by violent cartels and for-profit incarceration facilities. This is why we believe the general public will not tolerate the failed policies of the “drug war” for much longer. The future of the industry is looking brighter each day.

We had a great time and met a ton of people on our trip: IVXX, Black Dog LED, Eden Labs, Apeks Supercritical, Cannabis Clean, Ms. Mary Staffing, Cannabis Greenhouse Systems, Stealth Products, The Magic Trimmer, O2 Grow, Gualala Robotics & LightRail, Sky Processing, Pass The Tree, and The Variety, among others.

It was a pleasure to meet you all, and we look forward to hearing about your success as the industry continues to grow!

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Special Senate Committee to Manage Oregon Medical Marijuana Issue

5/15/2015

After the Oregon Legislature’s new marijuana committee hit an impasse Monday night, Oregon Senate president Peter Courtney formed a special Senate committee designed to help move beyond the issue.

Although the committee had mostly reached a consensus on SB 844, which aims to prevent the diversion of medical marijuana to black markets, the committee failed to decide whether to allow local communities to block the creation of medical marijuana facilities.

The special Senate committee is charged with bringing a consensus on the issue. Sen. Ginny Burdick (D.-Portland), the chair of the committee, believes she can achieve a bitpartisan majority in the Senate, which would help to sway the House. Burdick supports allowing localities to ban medical marijuana facilities. Voters could then put the issue on the ballot by gaining 4% of the vote in the last governor’s race.

A majority of the House currently wants any ban on such facilities to go directly to a people’s vote, so that medical marijuana patients won’t be immediately forced to lose access to the drug.

Sources:

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/05/marijuana_committee_runs_into.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/05/special_marijuana_committee_cr.html

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Ohio County Prosecutor Says Current Marijuana Laws Are “Useless”

5/14/2015

In Ohio, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters stated Tuesday that he believes the state’s current marijuana laws are “useless,” and that enforcing them is a “major waste of resources for law enforcement.”

Deters, a Republican known as one of Ohio’s toughest prosecutors, announced on Monday that he established a committee to study the positives and negatives of marijuana legalization. The task force will work in conjunction with ResponsibleOhio, the group bringing a legalization measure to the state’s fall ballot.

Deters stated that legalization is “coming across the county. The key is how to regulate.” However, he would not go so far as to outright support the change, nor will he necessarily support ResponsibleOhio’s measure.

No other non-judicial officeholder in Ohio currently supports legalization. ResponsibleOhio has been working to garner support for its proposal in other places, such as the state’s Fraternal Order of Police. The union’s president, Jay McDonald, said he has not yet been convinced by the ResponsibleOhio proposal, though he has conducted a comparative study of it with those that passed in Oregon and Colorado.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, Robert Cornwell, said that ResponsibleOhio has not approached them, and needn’t. “We will oppose the legalization of marijuana. Our board made that clear in March.”

Source:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/05/12/joe-deters-supports-marijuana-legalization.html

Photo Credit: Jim Bowen

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New Jersey MMJ Lawsuit: Should Student Patients Be Allowed to Medicate on School Grounds?

5/13/2015

The Larc School, a private school for children with disabilities located in Bellmawr, New Jersey, made headlines earlier this month when Roger and Lora Barbour, parents of 16-year-old Genny Barbour, filed a lawsuit against the school for barring their daughter from taking her prescribed cannabis oil on school grounds. Genny, who suffers from epilepsy and autism, began taking the oil in August 2014 to help reduce the number of seizures she experiences. According to her medical records, this treatment has been successful.

The School’s Offer and Subsequent Lawsuit

To avoid violating federal law by having the cannabis oil brought onto campus, The Larc School offered that Lora Barbour, Genny’s designated caregiver and under New Jersey’s medical marijuana law, the only person who may administer her medicine, take her daughter off campus for her midday dose. This wasn’t viable for the family, who wanted the school to adjust its policy to allow her to take the medicine with her lunch. The Larc School, concerned about the possibility of violating federal law if it allowed Lora to do this, refused.

Initially, the court ruled in favor of the school. The family has since appealed and is currently in court attempting to have the ban overturned.

New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program and Minors

Minor patients suffering from the list of approved conditions may participate in New Jersey’s medical marijuana program under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who can act as the child’s designated caregiver.

New Jersey’s medical marijuana law says nothing about minors’ use of the substance in school, leaving it up to the schools and courts to work out whether students may consume medical marijuana on school grounds.

Marijuana is Still a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance

Without an official guideline for medical marijuana use in school under the Compassionate Care Act, The Larc School finds itself in a difficult position. Despite its proven medicinal benefits, marijuana is still a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Its possession and use is still illegal in most states, including New Jersey. Allowing its use on school grounds could spell trouble for The Larc School, significantly compromising the education of its other students.

This case pits the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, which raised the penalties for individuals found in possession of illegal substances while on school grounds, against the New Jersey Compassionate Use Marijuana Act, which created New Jersey’s medical marijuana program. Genny and other students who may need medical marijuana now or in the future are the victims. It raises issues about the lack of a designated medicine administrator while Genny is in school, and about her rights as a patient to seek and receive adequate treatment for her medical needs.

Genny’s Law?

Genny’s case is a landmark case – how the court ultimately rules on her case will set the tone for how schools will handle students’ medical marijuana needs in New Jersey and possibly throughout the nation in the future. Depending on its resolution, it could potentially spur an amendment to the New Jersey Compassionate Use Marijuana Act to avoid such lawsuits in the future.

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Kentucky Hemp Production Sees Dramatic Increase In 2015

5/13/2015

Agriculture officials in Kentucky stated that hemp production in the state will exceed 1,700 acres in 2015, up from just 33 acres last year. The increased investment is from processors aiming to create new products from the newly-legalized plant.

One such investor, Andy Graves, said his company, Atalo Holdings, has invested $1.5 million in hemp. Graves, CEO of the company, said they plan to process hemp into oil and food products. He stated that nearly 550 acres of hemp will be processed at the company’s Clark County facility, in central Kentucky.

This is the second year Kentucky has been testing hemp as a potential cash crop. James Comer, the Kentucky State Agriculture Commissioner, said that 121 participants, including 24 processors, will be participating this year.

Source:

http://www.wlky.com/news/Ky-hemp-production-rising-in-second-year-of-crop-s-comeback/32818436

Photo Credit: Ken Lund

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Entrepreneur Announces Cannabis Board Game for Adults

5/12/2015

As marijuana legalization goes mainstream, entrepreneurs have rushed to develop businesses in the recreational and medical consumer markets, as well as several other auxiliary niches. One such entrepreneur is Mike Siffin, founder of Hash Brothers Entertainment LLC, who recently unveiled his plan to create a crowd-funded board game for adult cannabis consumers. Siffin was interviewed by the cannabis business news website Ganjapreneur.com as part of an ongoing series of interviews that the site conducts with cannabis start-ups, business experts, and investors.

In the interview, Siffin discusses how he gave up a long career in software sales to start his new venture in the cannabis industry. “Prior to founding Hash-Brothers, I had a 25-year career in software sales in Silicon Valley. It was a good, solid career but I can’t say I honestly loved selling software. Plus, being in sales in the Valley is a grind. I wasn’t an executive, I was a guy carrying a bag for 25 years and that bag and its associated quota didn’t get lighter year after year, it got extremely heavy.” Siffin also explains that part of his mission is to normalize cannabis in the sphere of public consciousness. “Cannabis is a simple herb, grown naturally on our planet and, if allowed, can provide both recreational as well as medicinal benefits. I felt that I might be a good candidate to help lead the charge and advocate for legalization and legitimization.”

Siffin’s board game, “Pipes and Lighters,” is designed for cannabis consumers of legal age and includes elements of chance, strategy, and creative input from the players. The game uses a unique “lazy Susan” board and pits players against each other in a constantly-evolving cycle of trivia, performance, and rules that are made up by the players themselves. “I see Pipes & Lighters as an experience,” Siffin explains, “that can be played across multiple adult generations from the 21 year old grandson to his 88 year old grandma.” So far, the Pipes & Lighters Kickstarter campaign has raised over $10,000 and has just under two weeks remaining.

The full interview is available on Ganjapreneur’s website.

About Ganjapreneur:

Ganjapreneur launched in July 2014 and has since established a significant presence in the cannabis business world. The website regularly publishes interviews and commentary from leading minds in the industry, and has also launched a B2B business directory, a live feed of job listings from marijuana job boards, a domain name marketplace for start-ups and venture capital firms, and a mobile app for Apple and Android devices which aggregates daily cannabis industry news, business profiles, and other information.

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Kansas House Passes Bill Reducing Possession Penalties

5/12/2015

The Kansas House of Representatives passed a bill last week to soften penalties for marijuana possession, allow for the study of hemp cultivation, and authorize some medical marijuana use in the treatment of seizures.

HB 2049 passed the House by 81 to 36 on an “Emergency Final Action” vote, which eliminated the need for further debate before the bill continued to the Senate.

The bill would make first-time possession offenders subject to a Class B instead of a Class A misdemeanor, thereby reducing maximum jail times to six months from a year and the maximum fine to $1,000 from $2,500.

The bill was amended to allow access to medical marijuana for seizure patients. Proposed by Rep. John Wilson (D.-Lawrence), the amendment would authorize certain facilities to grow low-THC strains, produce oils from it, and to distribute the oils to card-carrying patients.

The bill is now being debated in the Senate.

Source:

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2015/43031/kansas-house-passes-bill-to-reduce-marijuana-penalties-allow-access-to-low-thc-medical-marijuana/

Photo Credit: Mike Linksvayer

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Read the full interview below:

Read the full interview below:

The School’s Offer and Subsequent Lawsuit

New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program and Minors

Marijuana is Still a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance

Genny’s Law?

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