Cannabis Club

[Suburbanite]

I am thinking about opening a Cannabis club in california. They are co-ops, designed for supplying patience with medicine (as opposed to selling weed to stoners, which is virtually the same-- the power of semantics!). I live in Los Angeles, where there are already 60 plus clubs. Some clubs are busted by the DEA, but most actually are left alone, only the really big ones get taken out.

What do you guys think of this? Is pot legalization medically useful?

[PatrickHenry]

Cannabis is one of the prescribed medicines in the traditional Oriental pharmacy.

But, Suburbanite, admit it. You just like it for getting high...

[Suburbanite]

I admit it, but I also don't deny having actually used it medicinally to relieve body aching from repeated car accidents. In addition, it has helped me "keep cool" when my personality used to be a lot more volatile. And its also helped me with nausea (usually from brought on by drinking).
Now, when the issue of medicinal marijuana first started coming up in California, I was actually quite apathetic, I realized then that my use was recreational not medicinal. However, what I did not have the insight to realize was that legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes is just the only way to rediscribe it, to change its social stigmas, and to begin to actually help society see marijuana smoking as a minimal threat.

[Praxius]

I'd be weary still. Heck, here in Canada where the laws on weed are a bit loosened as of late, we deported a Canadian citizen from BC to the US for trafficking marijuana seeds across the border.

Seeds are not illegal, but some how the US authorities convinced Canadian authorities that by him supplying seeds to people in the US, he was indirectly trafficking weed, so they tossed him to the US courts..... which is total BS.

CTV.ca | B.C. pot activist arrested in extradition bid

U.S. officials are accusing the trio of growing marijuana, distributing marijuana seeds and conspiring to engage in money laundering, following an 18-month investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Yeah, he was growing weed in Canada... he can't be charged for that except by Canadian authorities. The only thing he could be charged on, based on the given information, is trafficking seeds, which is not illegal, since seeds do not contain any THC, which is why marijuana is illegal.

Funny thing is, the guy was the political leader of the Marijuana Party here in Canada and ran for mayor in BC twice..... can you say conspiracy?

I'd still be careful..... I wouldn't plan on opening up a store until things start to lower with laws. It's not bad when you're doing it on your own, and smoking it for your own personal wants, but once you start making a business, all the authorities need is one little excuse to take you down and make an example out of you.

[Suburbanite]

that is horrible. Though, in the United States we have a history of foriegners selling us drugs, and the DEA preventing it. It is just that it is usually Cocaine not Weed and Columbia not Canada. But technically, both drugs are just as illegal federally.
I will be weary, thanks for the cautionary advice

[brien]

I am thinking about opening a Cannabis club in california. They are co-ops, designed for supplying patience with medicine

To be credible, you should first learn how to spell patients. If I you were really serious about supplying the afflicted with medical marajuana, it would be a good idea not to partake yourself, unless of course, you suffer from the diseases that the medical community deems appropriate for marajuana therapy. Otherwise, refrain until it is legal for all to partake. When you enjoy the weed yourself for high times, forget about helping those afflicted with disease because they are two completely different uses. You intentions seem good but you will probably create more problems for yourself, and those you seek to help, if you are a stoner.

[Osborn F Enready]

While I support you in doing so Sub, I have to say, I think your timing is bad.

Right now, the Fed is cracking down on these types of operations, especially in California.

I would be less worried about growing it for personal use, than to run a Cannibus Club.

Either way, I wish you luck and support your perspective 100%.

[Suburbanite]

I am worried, of course. I've actually been working hard on it these last few days, and I've amount a world of resources. I've read guides, laws, opinions, etc.


And PS Brien, no one likes a spelling nazi. Also, as for smoking it, I'll only say these things: one, the other club owners do also smoke pot, in the club, where it is actually legal for them to do so, and two, I would also have the club card. My patients (and patience) will not only be terminally ill people, but also those with chronic pain and anything else. How it works out here is this: a doctor needs to give you a card, then you go to the clubs, then the clubs call your doctor and verify you, and then you're in. There isn't any point in time when I would legally be able to ascertain the level of seriousness of my patients. Of course, some will look the part, the guy with the dialysis machine might stand out.
It isn't like selling crack, I don't have to follow biggy small's ten crack commandments, 1. Never get high off your own supply. Of course, I won't just be stealing my own pot all day long and not get anything done. It is a business, I'm an adult, I'm very well prepared and willing to learn what I don't already know

Also, some good news, I might get a LA marijuana lawyer as an investor (which will save me a ton of legal expenses)

[brien]

And PS Brien, no one likes a spelling nazi.

Hey I could care less if you can spell or not; I was only making the point that if you want credibility, you should spell correctly. Call it what you wish, but if you put up a sign in your clinic confusing patience with patients, then it's your credibility, not mine, sir. I have no interest in belittling you. Sorry you took it so poorly.

Edit to add; I was also merely making the point that marajuana clinics should probably be run by non smokers. It is my opinion that you will probably be busted and it would help you in court if you weren't a smoker for pleasure. If you are a smoker due to disease, and you have a perscription from a Physician, then I can see partaking in your wares. Otherwise, some might find it hard to believe your sincerity in helping the afflicted when people could label you a "stoner". Perhaps it is better not to have a personal interest in what you are selling, except as an interest in the compassion for others.

In any event, good luck. You will need it.

[turningitred]

Just to put in my own two cents;
I have suffered from chronic acid reflux caused by a hiatal hernia for the past 5 years of my life. Because of this, I wasn't eating properly.. I lost 20 lbs in addition to the 10lbs under I've always been for my height. From nausea to esophegeal spasms, marijuana has helped me throught a lot of days just to be able to eat something. In addition to all of this, I am ADHD, and always have been.. Going back to college for me has been a new challenge, but as a c-b student my entire life, last semester I achieved a 4.0 gpa and academic honors for the first time ever! Yes, of course I enjoyed smoking it, but had I not had it at the point I did, I probably would have been completely dehydrated and mal-nurished to the point of ending up in the hospital. Unfortunately it' 100% illegal in Arizona..
So I just want to say suburbanite, make sure that you have all your t's crossed and your i's dotted, but I think you can definately play a roll in the acceptance of medical marijuana use. Hopefully Arizona will join Cali soon.. Although I doubt it.

[Praxius]

Quote by: turningitred Just to put in my own two cents; I have suffered from chronic acid reflux caused by a hiatal hernia for the past 5 years of my life.

Interesting, I have one of those too, but it works a bit differently for me. Mine is genetic from my family and pretty much everybody on my dad's side has it.

What happens to us is we need to constantly drink fluids while eating, or our esophagus will lock up and then we can't breath.... it kinda sucks at times. As we get older, it gets worse. I can feel it coming on after a bit and I can grab a drink when I need to..... older relatives though, it can just hit them right out of the blue and they act like they're dying...... which could be the case, but it's such a slow death, that we can usually grab a drink before we do. :eek:

[GHook93]

Quote by: Suburbanite I am thinking about opening a Cannabis club in california. They are co-ops, designed for supplying patience with medicine (as opposed to selling weed to stoners, which is virtually the same-- the power of semantics!). I live in Los Angeles, where there are already 60 plus clubs. Some clubs are busted by the DEA, but most actually are left alone, only the really big ones get taken out. What do you guys think of this? Is pot legalization medically useful?

The Harrison Act must be repealed! Horrible misuse of the government police force.

I know from personal experience that weed has medical uses from watching my mother go through chemo. She took all the "legal" shit that they gave her and none worked. I finally convinced her to smoke a little pot. She did a complete 180. The nausea went away, she started to eat and it even gave her energy. Her mentality changed also, she was actually happy for the first time in months. For her situation, I would honestly call it a miracle drug.

[turningitred]

Quote by: Praxius As we get older, it gets worse. I can feel it coming on after a bit and I can grab a drink when I need to..... older relatives though, it can just hit them right out of the blue and they act like they're dying...... which could be the case, but it's such a slow death, that we can usually grab a drink before we do. :eek:

Unfortunately, I think I'm already at that point. It comes on so suddenly and so bad, that the esophegeal spasms contract to the point of not being able to swallow a thing. Which is exactly where the marijuana came into play for a long while. But this is off topic for the forum I think, so feel free to pm me if you'd like to discuss further.

[Praxius]

nah, that's pretty much all there is to it with me, lol.... perhaps the weed helps as well, because I haven't had it happen in a long time.

[Suburbanite]

Quote by: brien Hey I could care less if you can spell or not; I was only making the point that if you want credibility, you should spell correctly. Call it what you wish, but if you put up a sign in your clinic confusing patience with patients, then it's your credibility, not mine, sir. I have no interest in belittling you. Sorry you took it so poorly. Edit to add; I was also merely making the point that marajuana clinics should probably be run by non smokers. It is my opinion that you will probably be busted and it would help you in court if you weren't a smoker for pleasure. If you are a smoker due to disease, and you have a perscription from a Physician, then I can see partaking in your wares. Otherwise, some might find it hard to believe your sincerity in helping the afflicted when people could label you a "stoner". Perhaps it is better not to have a personal interest in what you are selling, except as an interest in the compassion for others. In any event, good luck. You will need it.

I have a perscription from a Doctor. As far as "smoking up the profits", I've heard people warn me about that. I will have to reemburse the club for the cost of the marijuana like everyone else. I'm not an irresponsible person, but thanks for the heads up.

[Osborn F Enready]

Go vote on legalizing marijuana now, at lou dobbs.

CNN.com - Lou Dobbs Tonight

[Osborn F Enready]

Polls over, check out the results at the link above.

3/4 of those polled call for legalization.