weGrow Official Blog

MMJ in Illinois Close to Being a Reality

mike — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:39:49 +0000

As Illinois waits for Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision on the medical marijuana bill, many citizens and Illinois medical marijuana patients are wondering how they will be affected if he signs it into law.

Before the bill was put on Gov. Quinn’s desk, the Illinois Senate approved legalization of medical marijuana, 31-25. If the bill becomes law, Illinois will join more than 20 states allowing medical marijuana.

The bill would allow people suffering from specific medical conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and rheumatoid arthritis to use medical marijuana upon a doctor’s recommendation.

Senate sponsor William Haine, D-Alton, says the bill would have some of the toughest restrictions on medical marijuana in the country. He hopes the strict requirements would prevent medical marijuana in Illinois from people who don’t really need it and who may be looking to profit from it.

Qualified patients would be able to obtain medical marijuana from one of up to 60 Illinois dispensaries, which would acquire marijuana from up to 22 Illinois cultivation centers. For those looking to obtain an Illinois dispensary permits or open an Illinois cultivation center, consulting companies like DispensaryPermits.com have been offering complimentary consultations on their website.

DispensaryPermits.com and their team of medical marijuana experts have put together an Illinois medical marijuana dispensary license package that includes custom business for opening up an Illinois medical marijuana dispensary.

The Illinois Department of Public Health would be responsible for developing and maintaining a registry of users and caregivers, distributing educational materials about the risk associated with abuse of medical marijuana and other drugs, and developing rules for the consumption of marijuana-based food products.

The Department of Agriculture would oversee the registration of Illinois cultivation centers throughout the state. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation would help regulate the cultivation, acquisition and distribution of medical marijuana in Illinois.

The four-year pilot program must be renewed by the General Assembly as if it were a new bill. This would allow adjustments and assessment of the 4-year pilot program.

As approved by the General Assembly, the bill would restrict use of medical marijuana in places such as correctional facilities, private residences used for child care, motor vehicles, preschools, primary or secondary schools and places where smoking is prohibited.

Those permitted to use medical marijuana in Illinois would be limited to 2.5 ounces for a 14-day period. If more is needed they would need permission from the Department of Public Health.

Patients with approval for medical marijuana would not be subject to searches as long as they can provide the necessary identification and are not under the influence while performing work-related activities.

Registered users will not be subject to search by the police when in public as long as their medical marijuana is kept in a closed container.

Physicians who plan to prescribe medical marijuana must be licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 and hold a controlled substance license under Act 3 of the Illinois Controlled Substance Act.

In addition no school, employee or landlord may discriminate against a patient registered for medical marijuana.

Illinois One Step Closer to Legalizing MMJ

mike — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:13:57 +0000

The Illinois Senate on Friday voted to approve the use of medical marijuana for certain conditions. It’s expected to be signed by the governor who has expressed an interest in helping injured veterans. This makes Illinois the second most populous state after California to allow medical marijuana for patient use.

The senate passed the bill 35-21 with 30 votes required, after an hour long debate. “We fully expect Gov. Quinn to do the compassionate thing and sign the bill,” said Dan Riffle, deputy director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project.

The law will create a four-year trial program which allows doctors to recommend patients no more than 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana every 2 weeks. To qualify patients must have one of the 33 chronic or serious conditions – including cancer, multiple sclerosis or HIV. In addition to testing for those symptoms, patients will be subjected to finger-printing and background checks. Patients are not allowed to cultivate their own medical marijuana and must purchase it from one of 60 licensed Illinois medical marijuana dispensaries, which will obtain marijuana from 22 approved cultivation centers.

If the governor signs off on the bill, Illinois would be the 19th state to legalize medical marijuana and become the next frontier for potential entrepreneurs who are interested in opening an Illinois medical marijuana dispensary. Fortunately for those who are looking to break into this billion-dollar industry, top level medical marijuana consulting companies such DispensaryPermits.com have been established to answer any possible questions that may arise.

The team of expert consultants at DispensaryPermits.com have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain medical marijuana dispensary permits in Arizona, California, Disctric of Columbia and New Jersey. Once the medical marijuana regulations are finalized and the application process becomes open to the public, DispensaryPermits.com is poised to become the go to consulting firm for those serious about opening an Illinois medical marijuana dispensary.

Massachusetts medical marijuana patients can grow their own medicine

admin — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:06:55 +0000

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released draft regulations on March 29th. Considered one of the most thorough regulation efforts in medical marijuana states, commonwealth patients meeting low income and other requirements are allowed to grow their own cannabis medicine.

The requirements for patients or their caregiver for growing marijuana include:

Financial hardship – Defined by 133% of the national poverty level guidelines
Physical incapacity – to access reasonable transportation
Lack of MMTC – (Dispensary) within a reasonable distance and lack of delivery service available

Until the expected 35 dispensaries are up and running it’s safe to assume all patients will be allowed to cultivate medical marijuana in Massachusetts. Financial hardship is defined by an individual who is a recipient of MassHealth, or Supplemental Security Income, or the individual’s income does not exceed 133% of the federal poverty level, adjusted for family size. See the accompanying table.

Family Size	Annual Income
1	$15,282
2	$20,628
3	$25,975
4	$31,322
5	$36,668
6	$42,015
7	$47,361
8	$52,708

Personal Caregiver means a person, registered by the Department, who is at least 21 years old who has agreed to assist with a registered qualifying patient’s medical use of marijuana, and is not the registered qualifying patient’s certifying physician. Where a registered qualifying patient is under 18 years of age, he or she must have a personal caregiver who is his or her parent or legal guardian. An employee of a hospice provider, nursing, or medical facility providing care to a qualifying patient may serve as a personal caregiver, including to patients under 18 years of age.

Caregivers not working at a medical facility can’t be compensated for any duties or have more than 1 patient. While a qualifying patient can have a limit of 2 caregivers, only one caregiver is allowed to cultivate marijuana for the patient.

FOR MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA EVALUATIONS PLEASE CALL:

(978) 705-1905

The regulations try to limit the number of patients growing at home by requiring all dispensaries to provide free or low cost marijuana to qualified low income patients. Patients are further limited to possessing a 2 month supply of marijuana, which the agency considers to be 10 ounces. Absent are any plant limits, other than enough to supply the patient for 2 months. Other interesting regulations call for all dispensaries to have vaporizers for sale, dispensaries must grow all their own marijuana and bake their own edibles.

While this guide overviews the regulations concerning Massachusetts patientsgrowing their own medicine, patients considering cultivation are encouraged to read the regulations 725.035: Hardship Cultivation Registration which can be found here.

Public Listening Sessions Aim to Clarify Massachusetts MMJ Laws

mike — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 20:24:01 +0000

Public hearings on the future regulation of medical marijuana in Massachusetts are being held this month to bring clarity to the new law, which won by a landslide vote on the November 6th ballot.

On Wednesday evening in Worcester and Thursday in Boston, state officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health held a series public listening sessions before the implementation of medical marijuana regulations. The meeting, held at the Worcester Public Library, drew a large crowd and was standing room only. Another session is scheduled for February 27th at Holyoke Community College.

Under the law, which went into effect in January, the state has 120 days to hear comments and draft regulations on the use of medical marijuana. Alec Loftus, a spokesman from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, says that the Department of Public Health is looking for input on a few key areas.

Rick Gulla, a spokesman for the The Massachusetts Medical Society, a group that represents physicians across the Commonwealth, said that the Society will be meeting with the DPH to share their opinion. The Society is not opposed to medical marijuana use but would like to see a number of issues addressed. The Society is also asking the Department to reclassify marijuana, to allow it’s oversight by the state’s prescription monitoring program.

Some state lawmakers have also introduced pieces of legislation that would make changes to the medical marijuana law. State Representative John Sciback of South Hadley supports the legalization of medical marijuana, but also filed a bill that would make clarifications to the language included in the original ballot measure that was approved last November. Sciback said that he hopes the Department of Public Health will be able craft their regulations by their May 1st goal.

Those who are unable to attend the listening sessions but are interested in learning about the business side of the medical marijuana industry also have options thanks to DispensaryPermits.com. The Boston-based company is scheduled to host their inaugural “Green Rush” Conference on March 2nd where several successful medical marijuana entrepreneurs are set to speak. The event was originally scheduled for February 9th at the Westin Copley in Boston but was rescheduled due to the blizzard that hammered the Northeast last week.

Interested parties looking to attend the March 2nd conference at the Sheraton Boston Hotel from 9AM-6PM can register here.

Green Rush Conference Moved to March 2nd Due to Blizzard

mike — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:56:49 +0000

Due to unforeseen weather conditions, the Feb.9 Green Rush Conference hosted by DispensaryPermits.com at the Westin Copley in Boston from 9am-6pm will now be moved to a later date!

The Green Rush Conference, an informational event on the new medical marijuana industry in Massachusetts, will now be rescheduled for Saturday, March.9th.

This unfortunate news comes on the heels of a potentially historic blizzard that has landed in Massachusetts today. Meteorologists are predicting that the blizzard to dump more than 2 feet of snow with 70 MPH winds that have caused most of the roads to empty.

More than 5,000 power outages have already been reported as violent winds have knocked down trees and wires around the state. The storm is expected to hammer the Northeast, especially New England, until sometime Saturday afternoon. We will do our best to keep you posted on this event as the news unfolds.

Those who are interested in attending the conference on the new March.2nd date can register here.

Green Rush Conference Brings MMJ Entrepreneurs to Boston on Feb.9th

mike — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:11:30 +0000

The medical marijuana consulting firm, DispensaryPermits.com, is on the verge of hosting its first ever Green Rush Conference in Massachusetts. The much publicized event will be held at the Westin Copley Place in Boston on Saturday, February 9, 2013 and is planned to run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The information made available at the medical marijuana conference will include material for those individuals interested in operating a medical cannabis dispensary and for those with questions and concerns about this highly lucrative albeit controversial industry.

The Director of DispensaryPermits.com, Jig Patel, confesses that his company’s client application assistance history has proven to be quite successful, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

“DispensaryPermits.com has an outstanding track record of success in assisting clients apply for and obtain dispensary licenses in multiple states. We believe having qualified dispensary owners is the best way to ensure patients are being provided with safe access to the highest quality medicine possible.

We have already started helping entrepreneurs in many Massachusetts counties and we look forward to providing valuable information about the complex medical marijuana industry at this conference,” Patel said.

We’ve included a list of the event speakers scheduled, which are eager to share their medical cannabis industry knowledge with a team of entrepreneurs who have been featured on CNN, TIME Magazine, and Entrepreneur Magazine:

-       Sanjeev Patel – Board member of New Jersey’s first and only operating dispensary, Greenleaf Compassion Center;

-       Sunny Singh – Arizona-based hydroponics store and medical marijuana evaluation center owner;

-       Zeta Ceti – California’s master medical marijuana grower specializing in medical-grade commercial cultivation systems; and

-       Parita Patel – Medical marijuana expert attorney and Board Member of New Jersey’s first and only operating dispensary.

This conference offers a unique opportunity for those persons interested in the vast array of prospects the cannabis industry has to offer.

Special pricing for the event is available on the company’s website before Feb. 5th.

CA Supreme Court Rules Storefront MMJ Dispensaries Legal

mike — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:17:58 +0000

For years, medical marijuana dispensaries in California were deemed illegal even in the eyes of the law. Over 700 medical marijuana dispensaries have been shut down in the Los Angeles area in the past year alone due to an overwhelming voter ban in 2012. Thanks to final court ruling on Jan. 16, after years of struggling over the hot-button issue, the CA Court of Appeals held that storefront dispensaries are legal under California law, so long as they operate on a not for profit basis and adhere to certain corporate forms.

As a result, the California Supreme Court denied requests from the League of California Cities, the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office, the Sonoma District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles City Attorney to depublish or review the published decision in People v. Jackson.

This decision establishes that storefront medical marijuana dispensaries are unquestionably legal under California law and that local citizens cannot continue to rely on their now-discredited view that all sales of medical marijuana are illegal in order to support their ongoing attacks on state compliant medical marijuana dispensaries.

Another important impact of the recent court ruling is providing medical marijuana providers with a clear defense to state criminal charges. Specifically, the ruling held that in mounting a defense at trial.

With this ruling finally put in place, medical marijuana dispensaries and their owners now have a legal precedent to fall back on. This pro-marijuana dispensary movement only benefits the entrepreneurs who are now thinking of opening up their own treatment centers in places like Massachusetts, where voters recently approved a measure that makes marijuana legal for medicinal use.

As a result of this new MMJ-friendly landscape, conferences designed to answer the many questions that are tied with this controversial industry have begun to pop up. One such example is the upcoming Green Rush Conference on February 9 hosted by MMJ consulting start up DispensaryPermits.com.

With the goal of teaching potential dispensary owners how to get their piece of a billion dollar industry, they have recruited a team of successful marijuana entrepreneurs to educate the public. With the marijuana industry growing at an unprecedented pace, it will be interesting to see who will be next to cash in.

Massachusetts Marijuana “GREEN RUSH” Conference by Dispensary Permits

mike — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:01:48 +0000

Nation’s Medical Marijuana Experts to Teach You How Make Money in the Medical Marijuana Industry

From Dispensing, to Growing, to Medical Marijuana Evaluation Clinics or Hydroponic Stores, this is a must attend conference for anyone looking to cash in on Massachusetts’ newest legal cash crop Speakers including New Jersey’s first and only licensed dispensary owner, an expert medical marijuana attorney and California’s master medical marijuana grower will teach you how to pursue financial opportunities in Massachusetts’ new medical marijuana industry!

On, February 9th, from 9AM-6PM, meet and network with medical marijuana entrepreneurs that have been featured on CNN, Time Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and many more!

Speakers:

Zeta Ceti- California’s Master Medical Marijuana Grower as seen on Life and CNN

Sanjeev Patel- New Jersey’s First and Only Licensed Dispensary Owner.

Sunny Singh- Arizona’s Hydroponic Store and Evaluation Center Owner

Parita Patel- Medical Marijuana Expert Attorney

For more information contact us at Info@DispensaryPermits.com or Visit DispensaryPermits.com Facebook.com/DispensaryPermits Twitter.com/DispensaryPermits

World’s Largest Medical Marijuana Dispensary Wins Legal Battle To Stay Open

mike — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:43:51 +0000

On Monday, January 7, Chief Federal Magistrate Maria-Elena James ruled in favor of Harborside Health Center (HHC), and denied motions by Harborside’s landlords asking the court to order an immediate halt of cannabis sales at their properties. In a highly significant, 17-page opinion released today, Judge James also declined to grant a motion from the City of Oakland to immediately enjoin the federal government’s legal efforts to close Harborside, but scheduled a hearing later this month to hear further arguments in the City of Oakland’s lawsuit.

“We are grateful that Judge James carefully considered the facts and arguments in the Harborside case, and decided to grant us our day in court,” said HHC Executive Director Steve DeAngelo. “We have always believed that a Bay Area jury will recognize the value that Harborside brings to the community, and refuse to allow the federal government to seize the properties where we are located. We look forward to proving our case in front of a jury, and continue to believe we will prevail. In the meantime, we ask the Department of Justice to immediately freeze enforcement actions against Harborside and any other cannabis providers acting in full compliance with state law. Our nation’s law enforcement officers should concentrate on real crime.”

In addition, the court found that entering injunctions against Harborside would not be an appropriate means of preventing illegal use of the property and that “there is nothing… indicating that Harborside’s continued operation compromises the existence, value, or title of either the Oakland or San Jose Property.” The court ruling stated, “Any argument about the urgency of stopping Harborside’s activities rings hollow.”

Harborside’s lead attorney, Henry Wykowski, commented, “We are gratified that Judge James listened to and analyzed the parties’ arguments so thoroughly and has now rendered an opinion that will ensure Harborside has the right to present its case to a jury. Despite the government’s efforts to shortcut the case, Harborside will now be able to fully defend itself at trial. That is all we had asked, and the court has now agreed. The stage is now set for a jury trial on the underlying issues of the litigation, which will probably take place in about one year.”

Notably, in response to initial federal forfeiture actions, HHC attorneys cited the statute of limitations, as Harborside has been in business for over six years. All other claimants in these proceedings, including the City of Oakland, have adopted this defense.

New Study Indicates Medical Marijuana Could Be A Cure for Cancer

mike — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:39:41 +0000

A recent medical marijuana study conducted by two Bay Area scientists has caught the attention of many suffering patients all over the country. For once, medical marijuana isn’t being hailed as a cure for glaucoma or back pain, but as an integral weapon against the most feared disease of all: cancer.

Dr.Sean McCallister and Dr.Pierre Desperez of the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco have found that a compound derived from medical marijuana could stop metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer, offering the first legitimate hope for curing cancer in decades.

Despite years of government claims that marijuana has no medicinal properties, multiple studies have shown that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, is the mortal enemy of the cancer cell. That being said, not everyone that might like to utilize medical marijuana and its potential benefits are interested in smoking or ingesting the plant.

In 2007, Dr. McAllister, a scientist at the Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco who has been studying cannabinoid compounds for 10 years, found that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, is a potent inhibitor of breast cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and tumor growth.

Apparently, cannabidiol kills breast cancer cells and malignant tumors by switching off expression of the ID-1 gene, a protein that appears to play a major role as a cancer cell conductor. The scientists say CBD offers hope of a non-toxic therapy that could treat aggressive forms of cancer without any of the painful side effects of chemotherapy.

The announcement has been hailed by medical marijuana legalization advocates as further proof that the government should stop restricting access to this medically-beneficial plant. Still, the scientists are quick to point out that just smoking a joint won’t cure cancer. ”We used injections in the animal testing and are also testing pills,” said Dr.Desperez.

“But you could never get enough Cannabidiol for it to be effective just from smoking.” In addition, the team has just begun the process of synthesizing the compound in the lab instead of using the medical marijuana in plant form in an effort to make it more potent.

The team is hopeful that this development will allow clinical trials to advance as soon as possible. It is very likely that positive results with human, clinical trials could present the first ray of hope for those suffering from this debilitating disease that has affected many people all over the world. Although development of a synthesized cannabidiol medication would still ultimately benefit pharmaceutical companies, it may also remove some of the unnecessary controversy that surrounds the use of medical marijuana by young cancer patients.