Medical marijuana dispensaries are not get-rich-quick schemes, according to industry experts.
Arizona entrepreneurs interested in becoming part of the state's new medical marijuana industry attended an educational forum Monday night in anticipation of the state's medical marijuana law taking effect in late February.
The Arizona Medical Marijuana Association hosted the forum at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Phoenix. Industry leaders told the audience that investing in a dispensary is a risky proposition.
They said most state and local political leaders oppose medical marijuana and will likely find ways to fight or block the opening of dispensaries.
The state's law also says dispensary owners must operate as not-for-profit businesses.
Some attendees said they believe medical marijuana is a necessary alternative to commonly prescribed medications, and they believe getting into the industry will help the public.
"It's something that you have to care about and show compassion to get into," said Mark DiCarlo.
DiCarlo said he used medical marijuana while living in California and is interested in helping the industry expand in his home state.
David Kobierski, of Scottsdale, said it is important to offer terminally ill patients an alternative to opiates.
"We live in a conservative state and I think we can modernize it a little," he said. "And we can definitely show that we can do it the right way, not necessarily comparing ourselves to California or Colorado."
The wild card in the equation are the state's rules regarding the new law.
The Department of Health Services is expected to release its first draft of medical marijuana regulations Friday.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: KPHO Phoenix
Author: Sarah Buduson
Contact: KPHO Phoenix
Copyright: 2010, KPHO; Phoenix, AZ. (A Meredith Corporation Station)
Website: Medical Marijuana No Cash Cow For Ariz.
Arizona entrepreneurs interested in becoming part of the state's new medical marijuana industry attended an educational forum Monday night in anticipation of the state's medical marijuana law taking effect in late February.
The Arizona Medical Marijuana Association hosted the forum at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Phoenix. Industry leaders told the audience that investing in a dispensary is a risky proposition.
They said most state and local political leaders oppose medical marijuana and will likely find ways to fight or block the opening of dispensaries.
The state's law also says dispensary owners must operate as not-for-profit businesses.
Some attendees said they believe medical marijuana is a necessary alternative to commonly prescribed medications, and they believe getting into the industry will help the public.
"It's something that you have to care about and show compassion to get into," said Mark DiCarlo.
DiCarlo said he used medical marijuana while living in California and is interested in helping the industry expand in his home state.
David Kobierski, of Scottsdale, said it is important to offer terminally ill patients an alternative to opiates.
"We live in a conservative state and I think we can modernize it a little," he said. "And we can definitely show that we can do it the right way, not necessarily comparing ourselves to California or Colorado."
The wild card in the equation are the state's rules regarding the new law.
The Department of Health Services is expected to release its first draft of medical marijuana regulations Friday.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: KPHO Phoenix
Author: Sarah Buduson
Contact: KPHO Phoenix
Copyright: 2010, KPHO; Phoenix, AZ. (A Meredith Corporation Station)
Website: Medical Marijuana No Cash Cow For Ariz.
