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states have laws specifically about the use of cannabidiol CBD), and the 2014 Agricultural Act Section 7606 legitimizes the growth of industrial hemp for research purposes. These developments are based on overwhelming evidence from anecdotal and peer-reviewed reports about the medical benefits of cannabis. Pharmaceutical companies have seized on the popularity of cannabis as therapy to develop both natural and synthetic derivatives that are marketed to dispensaries and other approved institutions. To date at least 10 compounds based on the structure of cannabinoids are either approved by the FDA or are in clinical trials4. Wall street is also a part of these developments. A list of the top 10 marijuana companies is available for those who are inclined to invest in this emerging industry5.
However, the future is not expected to be straightforward with a new administration in Washington, D.C. The president has indicated that the Department of Justice may not use Federal funds to prosecute anyone in states that approve medical cannabis as outlined in the current congressional bill (the Rohrabacher – Blumenauer Amendment) In his own words: "Division B, section 537 provides that the Department of Justice may not use any funds to prevent implementation of medical marijuana laws by various States and territories. I will treat this provision consistently with my constitutional responsibility to take care that the laws be faithfully executed."6. It is important to be familiar with this and other rules and regulations since this affects millions of consumers.
It is estimated that at least 2.5 million Americans have permission to use medical marijuana. The procedure for getting a medical marijuana card is quite simple if you have one of many approved disease states or conditions. Someone seeking medicinal
marijuana will first need to go to a care provider whom is state-approved. The rules may vary by state but generally the patient needs an approval certificate from the health-care provider, valid identification and proof of residency before consideration by the budtender or pharmacist. It is also possible to get an online evaluation from many companies, who will send a medical marijuana card in the mail. Patients may upload approvals and identification to approved cannabis dispensaries and order products online. One company that accepts an MMJ card online is CannaSense. It is medical cannabis collective that helps patients in all 50 states gain access to cannabis medication. They do this with a streamlined process in strict compliance with The California Compassionate Use Act of 1996, The Affordable Care Act and the US Constitution, Article 4 section 1 (7). Before using cannabis or investing in this emerging industry, be educated and explore your options. The landscape changes continuously with new synthetic compounds and myriad forms of edibles. Be careful! The late columnist Ann Landers put it very clearly, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance”.