My friend Jim in Vancouver called me for a radio interview, and he gave me the news. “The doc says I might have glaucoma,” he said. “The treatment is smoking marijuana. Once every three hours.”
“At least you live in Canada, where it’s legal.”
We laughed about how his radio interviews might sound as if he were high as a kite. But the talk brought back a sobering memory. About my Dad. And how he needed medical marijuana, but couldn’t legally get it.
This was just last year. My dad, Bill, was 81. First, he got abdominal pain. He got skinnier and skinnier. Then he started vomiting. His doctor gave him the bad news: Pancreatic cancer.
Dad tried to fight it. Bu
t at age 81, there’s only so much they can do. The Big C spread. In February, the doctor told him not to expect to see Christmas.
So, he accepted it, and hey, he’d lived a good long life. He made his peace.
If only he didn’t have to deal with the nausea and pain. For this nasty 1-2 combo, the doctors said what Dad really needed was marijuana.
The problem is, Florida’s medical marijuana was very limited. For one reason or another, Dad didn’t qualify.
There are 29 medical marijuana states. Eight states and D.C., allow adult-use recreational marijuana. That leaves 13 states where you’re out of luck if you need marijuana.
I guess most of us could live with this. Except the ones dying of cancer. But it’s a shame. A poll done in March found that 61% of Americans support marijuana legalization.
And in places where it is legal, marijuana is paying the bills. Colorado netted more than $105 million from marijuana taxes for the 2016-17 fiscal year. The state is spending that weed windfall on schools, public health, and more.
Funny enough, seniors with access to marijuana use fewer prescription drugs. No wonder drug companies secretly fund anti-pot disinformation.
Even though Florida’s citizens overwhelmingly passed an amendment to expand medical marijuana in November, the state is dragging its heels on working out rules and regulations.
It’s too late for my dad. He started feeling particularly poorly. Then, one day, he fell down and it was over.
Nationally, marijuana sales are projected to grow to $50 billion by 2026. And even in Florida, marijuana should be a $1 billion business by 2020. Assuming the legislature gets its act together.
There are a lot of companies with business-minded solutions for the marijuana needs – medical or otherwise – that people have in Florida. And across America, too.
I’m talking about hydroponic growing systems, specialty fertilizers, LED lighting companies, and much more.
The future will be bright. And there will be plenty of green.
All the best,
Sean Brodrick
robert w June 6, 2017
I believe that the false information on marijuana was spread by big brewers and liquor sellers as well as the drug industry who knew that its use was seriously cutting into their profits. Of course church leaders also joined in for the same reasons.
If you doubt that large profitable industries use such tactics, you should research the tactics used by Ford and General motors to rid the country of the popular and cheap interurban rail system so that they could sell more cars.
If you are a naive type, you will no doubt be shocked, shocked!
Stash June 3, 2017
Probably one of the “BEST” marijuana stocks right now is CARA . Here is the website for more information. http://www.caratherapeutics.com Do your own research , but you will soon discover CARA is one of the best
Beth June 2, 2017
I’d like to see the medical marijuana legalized, but too many doctors over prescribe it now. You have a little anxiety? Oh, here, get stoned. Feeling depressed. Here, have some pot. We forget it robs youth of their ambition. I’ve seen it over and over again. It used to be legal in the state my hubby grew up in, and after a while it was made illegal again. The problem is, if you go for a job later and they asked you if you used it, even when it was legal, many places won’t hire you. This is a big rabbit hole that we are entering, and it’s not as pretty of a hole as some might think.
Jimmy June 1, 2017
Sorry about your dad…I am 67 and have arthritis in my back along with a herniated disk in the same area…AAAgony!..The opiods prescribed do not cut it and leave me with a hangover. I said the hell with the law and figured my body trumped the law. Buying pot involves some risk but GROWING my own not only provides the medicine but has become a “hobby”..and before the law abiders chide in, make sure you always drive the speed limit.
Charles May 31, 2017
I am not in favor of legalized marijuana. I am among those who believe it is just a stepping stone to higher level drugs. I also believe that the push to have it legalized has been money-driven and by states desperate for revenue. Whenever money is involved, nothing else seems to matter. The problem with medical marijuana is that it will likely be too easy to get doctors to prescribe it, just as they too quickly prescribe the use of pain killers, a situation for which Ohio has now filed a lawsuit against several drug companies.
dave V May 31, 2017
Why no reco’s?
Derrick May 31, 2017
I’m looking forward to investing in an ETF that invests in marijuana businesses.
Ken Lane May 31, 2017
You cannot fool all of the people all of the time about marijuana. Science has proven – and all major scientific and medical organizations agree – that marijuana is both addictive and harmful to the human brain, especially when used as an adolescent. The increasing frequency of marijuana use in Colorado correlates with a higher frequency of traffic deaths related to the drug. MJ-related traffic fatalities have increased 62 percent since 2013, when the state legalized marijuana. And despite medical and recreational marijuana businesses being banned in 68 percent of local jurisdictions, there are still a total of 940 retail MJ stores and MJ dispensaries in Colorado, more than all the 322 Starbucks locations and 202 McDonald’s in the state combined. Drivers testing positive for marijuana were a factor in 21 percent of all Colorado traffic deaths in 2015.
Chemiker May 31, 2017
I do not yet need it, but I want it to be available when I do need it. Making MJ illegal just aids prosecutors and drug dealers.
chuck davey May 31, 2017
how do I invest in marijuana stock etc.?
Cliff May 31, 2017
About time i am an adult that has smoked pot for almost 20 years im not the get as high as humanly possible and then sit on the couch and stuff my face stoner… i take a few puffs after dinner and my son is in bed and thats it i go to work and pay my taxes i dont see why there is this stigma with medical and recreational marijuana its rediculous stop believing the 1930s reefer madness propaganda that was spread to prevent mixed race relationships as marijuana was a substance used predominantly by african americans. Marijuana has been used medicinally since ancient China its only been illegal for 80 or so years. Why do human beings have cannabinoid receptors? We are hardwired to ingest it. I bet the IRS wants a piece of that 105 million in tax revenue just legalize it already alcohol destroys more homes and lives than marijuana ever has or will and theres a liquor store on every corner
jim May 31, 2017
We already know this what we need is trade ideas
ken tonis May 31, 2017
…And what Mary Jane stock would you recommend, as I’m not very familiar with this sector. I live in FL and realize the problem your father had, as my brother did in MA, and many of my friends do, who use marijuana for medicinal problems.
Thanks