With the legalization of medical marijuana in several states and the increasing number of marijuana associated businesses, the industry is undoubtedly booming. In 2011, the industry will reach $1.7 billion according to a report released Wednesday by See Change Strategy LLC. In a few years, experts believe that the market could top $8.9 billion. In a conference call, Ted Rose, editor of The State of the Medical Marijuana Markets 2011, said that this was the first-ever financial analysis of the legal marijuana industry.These initial numbers dictate quite a grown in the medical marijuana industry which could grow even larger if more states decide to legalize.

Needless to say, the medical marijuana industry is predicted to be a large part of future commerce. So why isn’t everyone quick to jump on the train? We are currently witnessing the beginning of a business that is only expected to grow into a juggernaut. Plenty of companies and individuals have already heard the call of the medical marijuana industry. Perhaps many just needed to hear just how profitable the industry will be, and there’s no doubt that these figures will attract even more businesses to the medical marijuana industry. Those who have been on the fence about the whole idea likely won’t be able to deny the profitability of medical marijuana.

Where the Money is

Since marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, under federal law doctors can’t actually prescribe it to patients even in states where it is legal. The good news is that they can recommend it for certain illnesses. For those who are recommended medical marijuana, they do have a few options: grow it themselves, consult a caregiver, or consult a a company or co-op that grows and sells the substance. The last option is the best one and the reason that the industry is estimated at such a high figure. Although the $1.7 billion doesn’t take into consideration the cost of these businesses operating, there’s no doubt that co-ops and dispensaries will see a large cut of that figure.

The better news for medical marijuana related businesses is that laws will likely loosen up as the substance and industry become legal in more places. A report found that 24.8 million people are eligible to receive a recommendation that would allow them to purchase marijuana legally under state laws, and approximately 730,000 people actually do in the seven existing markets where medical marijuana is legal. Those states are: California, Colorado, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico.

Medical marijuana might be the biggest business boom in so many years and something that business owners are sure to take note of. This is one of the first reports on the industry and the numbers are much higher than many expected. It’s difficult to tell whether or not these figures will live up to their hype, but for many associated with medical marijuana, seeing the possibilities in black and white is definitely a repreive from the legal confusion surrounding the topic.

Montana is currently at the forefront of medical marijuana news as many are calling for reform or repeal of the current law. The latest issue that has been brought to light is the use of medical marijuana by those under the age of 18. According to the stats, about 52 people under the age of 18 use medical marijuana and this shakes out to about 2 percent. Even this small percentage has many up in arms as the state strives to serve patients while protecting minors at the same time.

Supporters of medical marijuana site that this small percent has little effect on the amount of marijuana use among kids and has little negative effect on the lives of those who use the drug legally. Fortunately for those who use the drug legally, studies have shown that there has been little to no medical marijuana found within schools. There’s no doubt that marijuana use among teenagers is a problem and always will be, but should medical marijuana suffer as a result? Many believe that the problem is not with medical marijuana in schools, but rather kids finding their parent’s stash in the medicine cabinet.

The Youth and the Future of Medical Marijuana

It’s true that kids using marijuana does pose a problem with the legalization of the drug. Medical privacy laws in marijuana make it difficult to obtain the records of youngsters with medical marijuana cards, but the potential for problems is something that everyone would agree is there. However, on the other hand, don’t those under the age of 18 have the same right to be free of pain as adults? Parents who have tried everything to treat the conditions held by their children have stated that medical marijuana is the only treatment that eases their pain and that makes sense. Many parents are more worried about their kids having a poor diet or playing with toys with lead-based paint than they are about medical cannabis used properly.

Many also argue that in addition to possible damage to a child’s health that the legalization and increasing social acceptance of the drug has made it easier for those without a card to obtain the drug. Officials believe that the current views on medical marijuana will teach children the message that the drug isn’t dangerous. The argument breaks down the way many arguments do, and that’s weighing the danger of marijuana as a whole.

A 2010 National Institutes of Health Study, “Monitoring the Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use,” found that marijuana use has risen over the last few years among teens, but alcohol was still by and far the most abused drug by teens. There’s no doubt that keeping children away from drugs is the intent of everyone involved in the argument, it’s just a matter of deciding how to do so. Education on the topic and clearly defined laws will likely help protect children, but as of now the situation continues to be debated heavily within the state.

Many advocates of medical marijuana are disappointed with Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s decision involving a medical marijuana patient who was arrested for driving under the influence of the drug. The decision by the Attorney General Schuette marks one of the many recent cases that have ruled against medical marijuana patients who have received negative consequences for using the medication.

The case involved is the people vs. Koon, a man who was pulled over and arrested while driving under the influence of marijuana. Schutte filed a brief in support of the prosecutor to a Michigan appeals court involving the case. The Michigan motor vehicle code prohibits drivers from operating a motor vehicle with any Schedule 1 substance in the body. Medical marijuana of course qualifies as a Schedule 1 substance.

Schuette argued that while the Medical Marijuana Act “provides limited protection to certain individuals who use marijuana in accordance with the act, it does not offer protection to those who then drive with marijuana in their system.

How Legal is Medical Marijuana

As shown by the quote and the brief filed by Schuette, the question gets raised “really how legal is medical marijuana”? It seems as though the substance is legal for those with legitimate medical conditions until they need their rights protected. Similar cases such as employees being fired over using medical marijuana (not even at work) have dictated that the substance is still stigmatized and shown in a negative light. Schuette as well as many other public officials believe that even if marijuana is being used legally, zero tolerance policies already in place should not be changed.

Many believe that Schuette isn’t using logic in his argument against driving under the substance. He is basically suggesting that you are allowed to use, but you aren’t allowed to drive. As there is no concrete way to test if a driver is under the influence of marijuana when they are pulled over, the proof would need to be supplied using a drug test that will indicate marijuana that could have been consumed weeks ago. Medical marijuana card carriers are facing quite the legal burden despite their marijuana being legal. Many believe that a zero tolerance policy on medical marijuana will deny many legal citizens their liberty.

There is undoubtedly going to be a rough transition from marijuana being illegal to legal in some cases, but the current law presents quite a bit of gray area. Even the Michigan medical marijuana law itself states that individuals aren’t allowed to operate a motor vehicle under the influence. The trouble here comes with defining when someone is impaired and whether they are on the substance when they are pulled over. Since marijuana stays in the system for up to 30 days, it will be nearly impossible to distinguish those who are impaired from those who aren’t even on the substance when driving.

Yet another aspect of medical marijuana to add to the already confusing legal mess.

For those who are on the fence about the issue of medical marijuana, it’s important to remember that in some areas the business has proven to be a lucrative one. In certain areas around Michigan, the profits raised from the sale of the drug have been reported as staggering. Considering the increase in patients over the years and the number of legitimate businesses who have participated in the legalization, there is definitely some money to be made in the industry.

The profits begin at the very beginning stages of the certification. Many doctors will charge around $300 for certification to patients, making the alternative care an expensive endeavor. In addition to the certification itself, many consultations last about an hour and are not covered by medical insurance. Once the certification process is complete, patients will need to pay a dispensary price of about $400 an ounce. The state also charges a processing fee for existing patients as well as certification renewal for those who want to consider renewing it. Times that price by the frequency in which a person needs to medicate, and you’ve got quite the profitable market.

So why the Hesitation?

Even with the stats suggesting that there is money to be made in medical marijuana, some states and cities are leery to welcome the idea. Many districts have found that they need to examine their zoning laws for dispensaries and other medical marijuana businesses, while some areas are rejecting the idea altogether. It seems as though the benefits for allowing medical marijuana into their community will be beneficial for many individuals.

The Michigan medical marijuana law allows for those with ailments such as HIV, cancer, chronic pain, nausea, and many others to seek the drug as a form of treatment. Marijuana has proven to have therapeutic effects on patients with these conditions and also offers a unique form of relief that isn’t present in any other medicine. In addition to these unique healing properties, the industry has proven that both the state and individual companies can make quite a bit of money in the process. At the root of the medical marijuana argument lies ambiguity within the law and a moral dilemma on the part of some within the communities.

It’s likely that as the law becomes more well defined and as the public begins to realize the profits that can be made in he process that it will gain popularity. If treated as a legal and completely legitimate form of business, the medical marijuana industry could prove as a great advancement in the areas of health and commerce. The Michigan law will likely be addressed in the coming months, and there’s no blaming the communities that are unwilling to take the step in establishing it within their communities until the law is more clearly defined. Those who are looking to get involved with the business can expect advancements in the practice and its widespread acceptance in the coming months, but statistics have already proven that there is a great deal of money to be made in the area of medical marijuana.

The Michigan Marihuana program allows patients to possess up to two and a half ounces of usable medical marijuana.

If the patient has not specified a primary caregiver, the Michigan Marihuana program also allows patients to keep twelve marijuana plants. These marihuana plants must be kept in a locked, secure, and enclosed facility.
It costs approximately $100 to register with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program. Medicare patients may pay only $25.

You may contact the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program at the following address:

Michigan Medical Marihuana Program
Bureau of Health Professions, Department of Community Health
611 W. Ottawa St.
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-373-6873
bhpinfo@michigan.gov

On November 4, 2008 medical marijuana usage was approved by 63% of voters and that law became effective on December 4, 2008. The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act provides details about it.

What does the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act mean to you?

Well, if you have a physician diagnosed debilitating medical condition; you are allowed to possess and cultivate marijuana and may not face state-level criminal penalties.

Although the state specifies many qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana, you are not limited to only those conditions to qualify for medical marijuana usage. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act also protects patients who use marijuana for managing the symptoms of a chronic medical condition.

For example, if you suffer from depression and your physician prescribes a medication to treat the depression, and that medication causes muscle aches and spasms, or it makes you nauseated, then you would qualify as a patient with a listed condition (muscle spasms, nausea), to choose medical marijuana as a treatment option.

In the future, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) may accept additional medical conditions and treatments.

Currently, the following are the conditions that are approved for medical marijuana usage:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV & AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Crohn’s disease
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Nail patella
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Severe and chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures
• Epilepsy
• Muscle spasms
• Multiple sclerosis

You may visit our resources section to learn more about the various conditions that qualify for medical marijuana.

In a deliberation that lasted over two hours, the Ann Arbor City Council made adjustments to an existing medical marijuana licensing ordinance. The big topic involved drug felons who want to operate dispensaries. The council ruled that drug felons would not be able to own or operate medical marijuana outlets, but other felons may be able to obtain a license at the city’s discretion.

To many, this seems like a great idea, but there are a few individuals who have been fighting their previous conviction for years after serving their debt to society. One Ann Arbor resident has been trying to operate a dispensary, but has been denied due to a conviction that happened 14 years ago. The law already states that those with drug felonies aren’t allowed to be caregivers, and they are extending the prohibition to not allowing them to run dispensaries.

In addition to the dispensary topic, the city council also helped to define other statues of the law. Some of the other topics included the level of privacy offered to patients and and zoning licenses for marijuana related businesses. Ann Arbor has always been at the forefront of the medical marijuana movement, and it’s safe to assume that the state will follow suit on many of these decisions.

Should the Past Affect the Future?

The new statement issued by the city council raises an interesting question of whether or not those interested in selling medical marijuana should have to pay for their past mistakes. On one hand, those who have been convicted of felonies are not allowed access to many things within society, but is there a point where a debt to society has been paid? It seems as though the decision is still treating medical marijuana as an illegal drug related activity. As a legitimate business, dispensaries are part of commerce that many would normally have access to.

This ruling somewhat defines medical marijuana dispensaries as a particular type of business. Since the same rules don’t apply to dispensaries as normal businesses, it seems as though there will be a new set of rules to define them. Like many of the other laws on medical marijuana, there will need to be some addressing on the part of the state in order to clearly define the rules, but the city council will likely be a precedent that the rest of the state will need to follow.

As it stands, those who have drug related felonies will not be allowed to own or operate dispensaries, but other felons may be given licenses after consideration by the city  To some it seems as though the city is demonizing certain felons while allowing others to participate in the medical marijuana business. It somewhat suggests that those with drug related felonies aren’t capable of changing their outlook and attitude toward drugs, but this will likely be the way that authorities throughout the state will also believe.This is just yet another step in clarifying the Michigan medical marijuana law and hopefully giving those involved a bit of clarity.

HOMEFRONT: Municipalities should seize opportunity to regulate medical marijuana Heritage Newspapers My expectation back in 2008 when Michigan voters said “yes” to medical marijuana was that forward thinking communities would pull together with law enforcement and be there to help legitimate outfits thrive and dominate the marketplace – crowding out … and more

HOMEFRONT: Municipalities should seize opportunity to regulate medical marijuana Heritage Newspapers My expectation back in 2008 when Michigan voters said “yes” to medical marijuana was that forward thinking communities would pull together with law enforcement and be there to help legitimate outfits thrive and dominate the marketplace – crowding out … and more

AG Takes On Med. Marijuana Driver UpNorthLive.com Koon, a case in which Schneider charged a medical marijuana user with driving with marijuana in his system. Koon was charged on May 21, 2010 by the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor's office for driving under the influence of a drug (OUID). Michigan's … and more