Even without pun intended it really is hard to ignore the thriving business environment surrounding the production and sale of medical marijuana. With MMJ now legalized in 15 states and the District of Columbia, the market is expanding vigorously.

Treating a Variety of Ailments

THC, the active component in marijuana has been proven to effectively treat a number of conditions. It could reduce nausea, insomnia, neurogenic pain and movement disorders and the outward symptoms of glaucoma. It may be useful in controlling the outward symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and fibromyalgia. Recent studies have indicated that THC prevents the forming of deposits of plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Of course more research is vital in determining which conditions medical marijuana can help, but even this short list is encouraging.

Not Just Smoking

Medical marijuana opponents object strongly to the most common method of ingestion: smoking. However, there are numerous safer methods to ingest marijuana. Marijuana can be inhaled in a vaporized form and put into food after being processed into hemp oil. Both methods bypass the potential risks involved with any form of smoking.

Who Can Grow It?

One of the challenges of getting medical marijuana is figuring out who is allowed to grow it, and just how much they are able to grow. The states that have legalized marijuana for medical use have implemented standards for whether and just how much marijuana an individual is permitted to grow or possess. Things are a bit more complicated for dispensaries.

California allows patients and caregivers to form cooperatives to grow the plants, but much of the product which reaches the marketplace is grown on small "farms" which still operate outside the law.

Recently a large store focusing on information and supplies opened in Sacramento, CA. The store doesn’t sell any marijuana, nor any plants. There are some plants on display but they are owned by licensed individuals and you will be removed before they bud.

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Licensed Dispensaries

Opening a medical marijuana dispensary involves a bit of work. In each of the states where in fact the sale of medical marijuana is legalized the requirements are a bit different. Businesses must obtain a license and offer proof that the storefront is either owned by the business or that the leaser has approved the business enterprise. Some states need a safety plan to be drawn up, or request tax documents etc.

One of the biggest challenges facing these legal businesses is acquiring the full selection of business services, such as merchant accounts for processing credit card sales or bank accounts, since marijuana is only legal on hawaii level, not at the federal level.

Perhaps the strongest argument that the government will respond to may be the potential tax base that medical marijuana will generate. In tough economic times it really is hard to show away any source of essential income.