Medical Marijuana Business Conference Sheds Light On Growing Industry / With Video

[bobandtorey]

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Medical marijuana…a hot topic for quite some time. Some people say they’re against the cannabis industry for many reasons, including the stigma of dispensaries and others try to shed a positive light on the growing business.

That’s exactly what the medical marijuana business conference here in Lansing aimed to do today.

“See that it’s normal, see that it’s not scary and become part of the new cannabis economy,” said Medical Marijuana Conference Host Rick Thompson.

In just over two weeks, three new laws will go into effect in Michigan to regulate medical marijuana. Because of that, the conference served as an educational space for aspiring medical marijuana entrepreneurs.

“They need to be an example for the industry, they need to follow the rules no matter how erroneous they are and they need to make sure that they are real corporate citizens in their community,” State Representative Jeff Irwin stated.

Nearly a hundred people showed up today, including guest speaker Anqunette Jamison who’s become an advocate for the medicinal plant.

Jamison says she feels strongly about the booming business because of her battle with Multiple Sclerosis and says cannabis helps her take on the daily fight.

“It changed everything. People are falling through the cracks and there are so many people that are living their lives in pain and discomfort,” Jamison said.

Although it’s been an ongoing debate in our state for years many say, including Thompson, that more awareness of cannabis could combat any confusion hoping this conference will leave people with an open mind.

“The community itself has to embrace it as well…everyone benefits…schools, roads, the entire infrastructure is made better by small business jobs and that’s what we’re hoping to bring to Michigan,” Thompson added.

 

http://wlns.com/2016/12/04/medical-marijuana-business-conference-sheds-light-on-growing-industry/

[bobandtorey]

LANSING, MICH. - Hundreds of people spent their Sunday in Lansing to learn about new laws that will impact Michigan's medical marijuana industry.

The laws deal with anything from the growth and sale of medical marijuana to legalizing medical edibles and other non-smokable forms of medical marijuana. 

On Sunday, Dec. 4, the Michigan Cannabis Business Development Group held a conference in an effort to make sure all in the industry know of the upcoming changes.

More: Michigan may see millions in revenue from legal marijuana

"The governor signed three laws relative to medical marijuana," said State Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor. "One of them authorizing edibles and concentrates, one of them, that authorizes a safe and legal access system for dispensaries and cultivators to bring medical marijuana to patients who need it."

Organizers say this event is critical for an industry that is still a work in progress.

"It's very new and part of the problem with new is that people don't know what the rules are and they also don't know where the limits are and the boundaries are," organizer Rick Thompson said. "For a small business person, that can be disastrous." 

But not all are on board with this new industry. Some who voted against the laws believe its opening the door to something else.

"Make no mistake that the end game of this legislation with all its societal ills, is eventually the full legalization of marijuana in our state," said State Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton.

Last week, three medical marijuana dispensaries in the Grand Rapids area were searched as police say they're in violation of the state's Medical Marijuana Act. 

Supporters of the industry say they'd like to see local communities handle these issues in a more civilized manner.

"We'd like to see local communities take the non-violent, non-aggressive way to make their feelings about these distribution centers known," Thompson said. "Statewide, that's an option that is always available, but seldom selected." 

Though it's still fairly new, the medical marijuana industry is estimated to be more than a $60 million a year business.

The new laws will take effect Dec. 20.

 

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/politics/michigan-politics/businesses-prepare-for-new-medical-marijuana-laws/362814063