Only 18 U.S. States, thus far, have legalized the use of cannabis, and even then, this drug can only be used strictly for specific medicinal indications (such as for the treatment of glaucoma or for the relief of intense pain). Yet even with proper identification and documentation systems in place to regulate the distribution of this drug, there is always the risk of this regulated substance falling into devious hands. Fortunately, secure medical marijuana dispensaries can supply cannabis to those who genuinely need the substance for their medical conditions.

Strict control of the distribution of marijuana is highly necessary in order to prevent abuse. Dispensaries are thus designed with optimum security in mind so that marijuana can only be obtained and distributed for legal sales activities. These fail-safe measures ensure that medical cannabis can only be accessed by authorized dealers so that the drug will ultimately find its way to those who truly need it.

Dispensaries can be compared to ATMs in that they both distribute just enough of a valued product while protecting it. A crook may eventually break into the vault, but only with tremendous effort. Medical marijuana dispensaries, on the other hand, can dissuade criminal activity due to the presence of security guards and even increased foot traffic area in the surrounding area.

Companies closely involved in the development of the medical marijuana industry, such as Medicine Dispensing Systems, provide secure and effective dispensing devices used in accredited medical dispensaries to enable the proper sale of medical marijuana and at the same time prevent potential abuse or illegal activity. Trained medical experts will be in charge of distribution, while patients will need to show proper medical prescriptions before they can purchase medical marijuana. With strict regulation of medical marijuana, substance or recreational use can be averted.

The sale of medical marijuana may face stiff opposition in parts of the country. However, the outright banning of the drug in the past indirectly caused a meteoric rise in criminal activities related to its distribution and consumption, which has since prompted legislators in various states to seriously consider the legalization of cannabis. In any case, dispensaries and companies like Medicine Dispensing Systems shall certainly continue to facilitate secure and regulated access to medical marijuana.

Prior to the opening of the dispensary (which has since closed), the neighborhood was fraught with the usual inner city problems like illegal drugs, loitering, and graffiti. The dispensary had security guards, and generated increased foot traffic in the area, thereby which serving as a deterrent against crime. Vacant industrial spaces that once attracted criminal activity are better utilized as dispensaries. Sankin’s article further states that the dispensary allowed cannabis users to obtain the medicinal herb legally, and in turn, generate revenue for the local government.

Meanwhile, communities around Oaksterdam University in Oakland City, California also experienced a drop in crime rates ever since a legal medical marijuana dispensary opened in their area. This is why some residents were not so pleased when the federal government shut the dispensary down last year. Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, among other Oakland city leaders, stated that since dispensaries are strictly regulated, there has been no instance of crime or violent incidents in the location.

A cannabis dispensary follows strict operational regulations; with its customers likewise needing to meet specific criteria. For instance, clients can use the marijuana strictly for medicinal, and never for recreational purposes. On their part, proprietors will need to go through the proper paperwork and protocol to avoid any trouble with the law—a factor that justifies the need for a well-run and legal marijuana dispensing system.

Solutions such as those offered by companies like Medicine Dispensing Systems provide for a standard marijuana dispensing protocol that meets the needs of every customer. These enhanced methods enable clinics to organize their inventory and streamline their sales documentation processes. This way, clinics can comply with all legal requirements and thereby avoid any shutdown attempt.

Recently, there have been attempts to shut down the country’s largest medical marijuana dispensary in California. However, due to the fact that the business is considered legal under state law, the federal judge rejected this motion. While the Obama administration reportedly said that it would not target legal marijuana clinics in its crackdown on dispensaries, the legal cannabis industry may still be under threat.

Authorities may argue that the medical cannabis industry may result in an increased crime rate, although studies indicate that this isn’t the case at all. Aaron Sankin’s article further states that a 2011 UCLA study showed that the presence of legal marijuana dispensaries has not led to an increase of violent or property crime rates. Strict compliance, which can be accomplished through an effective system, thus remains the best defense.

According to the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug. This means that, under this act, marijuana is said to be highly addictive and has no possible medical uses. However, most people now know both of these statements to be untrue. Is it time to remove this substance from the Schedule I category or are there really horrible side effects of marijuana that the public needs to be aware of?

How Cannabis Affects the Body

Smoking marijuana, medical or otherwise, does a few main things to the body. Cannabis stimulates the appetite, settles the stomach, and increases the heart rate. It can also decrease a person’s sense of coordination.

The reason that medical marijuana is receiving such praise is because it is so effective in helping patients who are suffering with serious health problems. Medical marijuana is a great pain reliever. People that deal with chronic pain or severe headaches will notice that medicinal cannabis is more effective than many prescription painkillers.

Because medicinal marijuana stimulates the appetite, but settles the stomach, patients going through chemotherapy can also benefit from its use. Even patients suffering from glaucoma can use medical cannabis to decrease the pressure in their eyes. While many people talk about the effects of marijuana in a negative sense, there are many positive uses of medical marijuana.

The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain

Medicinal marijuana does affect the brain. While the medicine never affects two people exactly the same, many people notice that it distorts their perception, causes short term memory loss, and may make it difficult to reason or think clearly. Because of these effects, medicinal cannabis users are urged to avoid using their medicine before operating a motor vehicle. Most users will also want to avoid using their medicine before going into work, as it may possibly decrease productivity.

Some people also believe that marijuana causes users to seek new and more extreme ways to get high, hence the nickname the ‘Gateway Drug.” Many experts, however, disagree with this theory. They believe that psychological stress leads to hardcore drug use, not the use of marijuana. The use of medical marijuana will, in no way, transform a responsible person into a crazed addict looking for more extreme thrills.

Long Term Side Effects of Marijuana

The long term side effects of marijuana are not conclusively known. Many people fear that the use of medical marijuana may cause cancer. Cannabis does contain some of the same compounds as tobacco. However, because medical marijuana patients will be using their medication much less frequently than many people smoke cigarettes, the chances of marijuana causing cancer is slim.

Some also believe that one of the effects of marijuana is congestion and coughing. Frequent users could be more at risk for colds or lung infections, especially if they smoke cigarettes as well. Fortunately, if this becomes a problem, medicinal cannabis can be used in another form, such as made into a food or drink.

Overall, the medical use of marijuana is helping many patients effectively manage their health problems and regain control of their lives. Of all the side effects of marijuana, this is the one that people may want to really take the time to think about.

People are constantly arguing about the pros and cons of marijuana. Those that are pro medical marijuana argue that the medicine is not only harmless, but also extremely effective. However, skeptics disagree. Nonbelievers are constantly protesting marijuana’s effectiveness as a medication, as well as warning people of the supposed dangers. With these groups constantly clashing, the question remains–should marijuana be legalized?

Three Things Marijuana Protesters Don’t Want the Public to Know:

1. Legal marijuana substitutes, like K2 and Spice, are way more dangerous than medical cannabis.
Yes, the fake marijuana that manufacturers pass off as “incense” will get you high. Actually, it will get you very high. But is the high safe? Not exactly. It’s easy to overdose on these synthetic blends, which will lead to vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, increased heart rate, and may even cause a person to pass out. On more than one occasion, these substances have been linked to suicides and other extremely erratic behaviors.

So why is this stuff legal in 47 states, while marijuana, even medicinal marijuana, gets a bad reputation? Who knows. Many state governments are looking to ban the stuff, but the fact remains, it is more dangerous than marijuana, yet still allowed to be sold to consumers.

2. Medical marijuana cards are not given out to any patient that asks.
A lot of people argue that the legalization of marijuana, even if just for medical purposes, is allowing people to use cannabis recreationally. In most cases, this just isn’t true. Patients that obtain a medicinal marijuana card must meet with a physician and undergo an evaluation. The bottom line is that patients must have a medical need.

If a doctor is giving out medical marijuana prescriptions to patients that have no medical need, the doctor is the one breaking the law. Medical marijuana doctors are not given free reign to prescribe medicinal cannabis to just anyone. People must also realize that there are doctors who prescribe prescription painkillers to patients that may not exactly need them. Should these medications be illegal as well?

3. Medical Marijuana dispensaries are legitimate, reputable businesses run by good people.
Walking into a medical marijuana clinic is not like walking into a drug dealer’s lair. Medicinal marijuana dispensaries are legitimate businesses. They are heavily regulated and must follow strict marijuana laws. Most of these shops are cheerful, pleasant places. In fact, shopping in a marijuana dispensary is usually more pleasant than shopping in your average grocery store, where employees are unpleasant and too busy for customers.

The states that have legalized medical marijuana are not attracting crime or bringing in hoards of questionable characters. If anything, legalizing medical marijuana has boosted the local economy and made patients, who were once suffering from pain and other debilitating conditions, much happier. When asking if marijuana should be legalized, perhaps skeptics should consider these three things, rather than base their arguments on baseless facts.

Prop 215, which is also called the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, is a California law that allows marijuana to be used as a medical treatment. It does not legalize cannabis, but instead changes the way that doctors and patients will be treated in the California court system.

Currently, 15 states, as well as Washington DC, have legalized the use of medical marijuana. California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis, which occurred in 1996. In 1998, three more states followed suit and eventually inspired 15 states to begin using marijuana to treat a wide range of ailments. Of the 35 states where cannabis is illegal, nine of these states are also considering legalizing the substance. Prop 215 is a law that has inspired a great deal of change and continues to do so today.

Three Important Facts About Prop 215

1. Patients that use medicinal marijuana may still be arrested.
Marijuana is illegal under federal law. California, as well as 14 other states, have decided to pass their own legislation that go against this law. Therefore, while doctors are allowed to recommend marijuana to patients, they may not actually prescribe it. Pharmacies cannot even carry it. Medical marijuana is only available at specialized marijuana dispensaries.

Also, if a patient is caught with medicinal cannabis, they may be arrested and brought up on charges. If this happens, the patient will be forced to go to court and defend their marijuana use. The doctor who recommended that the patient use medical marijuana will also be forced to testify. Prop 215 does protect patients and doctors, but does not mean that patients may not be questioned and forced to defend themselves.

2. Prop 215 did not make things easy for medical marijuana dispensaries.
Most people would assume that because medical marijuana had been legalized, medical marijuana dispensaries would be allowed to operate. After all, these businesses paid taxes, just like any other business. Unfortunately, it was not that easy.

Until March of 2009, the DEA would raid and sometimes prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries. Owning a dispensary was a profitable, but dangerous business. Even doctors that recommended medicinal cannabis to patients were sometimes prosecuted. Fortunately, in early 2009 federal authorities promised to stop these raids. Marijuana dispensaries are now allowed to operate in peace and patients are able to get the medicine they need.

3. Prop 215 also allows patients to grow their own marijuana.
Prop 215 has changed many people’s lives. Some people now purchase their marijuana at a local dispensary, participate in a marijuana collective, or simply grow their own. Patients that decide to grown their own may cultivate up to six mature marijuana plants or 12 immature plants. Yet, patients may not, under any circumstance, sell the marijuana for a profit. While growing marijuana is not necessarily easy, it goes give patients another option to think about.

Many believe that Prop 215 will eventually lead to the legalization of marijuana for any purpose. It has inspired 14 other states to enact their own legislation, but has yet to inspire the total legalization of cannabis. However, many people truly believe that it is only a matter of time.

When most people first hear the term ‘prescription vending machine’, they are a bit shocked. Many people wonder what such a thing would look like and doubt that it could be legal. Marijuana vending machines sound like a futuristic way for patients to independently dispense their medication. Surprisingly enough, this is exactly what they are.

Common Questions About Automated Medication Dispensing Systems

Question:How do marijuana vending machines, like the Canna Medbox, work?

Answer:They work similarly to regular vending machines. Many machines, including the Canna Medbox, which was created by Vincent Mehdizadeh, offer users an easy-to-use touchscreen. Using the screen, patients can choose their presciption and pay for their purchase. The process is a bit more complicated than sliding a few quarters into a regular vending machine, but after the first one or two uses, not by much.

Question: Can anyone use a prescription vending machine? Wouldn’t that be illegal?

Answer: No, to use a medicine dispensing machine, patients must have a current medical marijuana card. While every machine is different, the Canna MedBox requires patients to register with the associated medical marijuana dispensary and obtain a prepaid member card before they can make a purchase. The machine can only be used by patients who are recognized, after using the machine’s fingerprint scanner, and already have a member card. This makes it easy for patients to use the machine, but impossible for the medicine to get into the wrong hands.

Question:How do these machines make sure that cannabis dispensaries are following all medical marijuana laws?

Answer: These machines not only make it easy for medicinal cannabis dispensaries to ensure that each customer has their medical marijuana card, it makes it easy for them to document each transaction.  Prescription vending machines keep careful and accurate records. Much of the bookkeeping is done by the automated medication dispenser, which makes it easier for marijuana dispensaries to be sure that they are following the proper protocol.

Question: Are prescription vending machines the way of the future? Will these machines make it easier to regulate and document the sale of medical marijuana?

Answer: Pot vending machines make it fast and easy for patients to obtain their prescriptions. Also, because the machine does much of the work for the dispensary, medical marijuana shops are able to offer lower prices. These machines also make it easy for authorities to inspect medicinal marijuana dispensaries and make sure they are following the proper guidelines. Because these machines are so beneficial to all involved parties, many people do believe that they will be much more common in the future.

Marijuana was classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the United States Congress in 1972. Those in power decided marijuana had no medical value. However, fifteen out of the fifty states have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. It has been proven that marijuana can effectively reduce nausea cancer patients experience due to chemotherapy. Marijuana is a fantastic method of alternative treatment for numerous diseases and conditions, including:

• AIDS (HIV)
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epilepsy
• Hepatitis C
• Glaucoma
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Chronic Migraines
• Muscle Spasms
• Nausea
• Chronic Pain

The number of individuals who benefit from the availability of medical marijuana is growing. However, patients in thirty-five states do not have access to marijuana for the treatment of their medical issues. So, should marijuana be available to patients as an alternative source of treatment, if prescribed by a board certified physician? The majority of the medical community, as well as most Americans, agree that it is.

Serious diseases like cancer and AIDS usually require patients to take expensive prescription medications that a very negative effect on the body. Replacing dangerous medications, like prescription pain medications, with medical marijuana will help patients treat the severe symptoms they experience on a daily basis with very low potentials for long term damage.

The only thing that matters, after all the discussions and arguments surrounding the issue of medical marijuana, is the word of physicians. Doctors are the ones responsible for making the best decisions regarding patient treatment on a case by case basis. If physician and patient both agree that medical marijuana is the best possible treatment for a specific illness or symptom, then the federal government needs to respect that.

Hundreds of thousands of patients have found relief from the use of nontoxic medical cannabis. Those opposed to medical marijuana argue based on their idea that side effects can be treated with legal drugs. However, patients suffering from cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis often discover that available prescription drugs do not treat their negative symptoms as well as medicinal marijuana. Providing patients with the best quality of life possible is the bottom line for the medical community. Those opposed to marijuana have no right to say a patient can’t have access to a relatively safe treatment option, just because they don’t approve of marijuana. Medical marijuana helps provide comfort to those in pain, which is all that should matter.

However, since 1996, Californians have been able to legally grow, sell, and buy medicinal marijuana through the use of medicinal marijuana dispensaries to treat AIDS, cancer, anxiety, glaucoma, and many other debilitating conditions. Without the use of medical cannabis, these patients would suffer while attempting to use prescription drugs that don’t assist them sufficiently.

There are thousands of medical marijuana dispensaries throughout California. While the DEA no longer shuts these dispensaries down for violating federal drug laws, in spite of Californians voting to allow it within their state lines, there are still strict legalities that must be followed to run a medical marijuana dispensary.

Running a successful business or organization of any kind is not an easy task, but legally selling medical cannabis can be even more difficult if you don’t know and understand the laws.

What are the legal guidelines for operating legitimate medical marijuana dispensaries? Among them are the following 8 tips we have to offer.

1. Operate as a non-profit organization as part of a marijuana collective. Don’t operate for profit.

2. Collect sales tax from all patients. If Uncle Sam doesn’t get his cut, that’s grounds for immediate investigations and shut downs.

3. Only sell to qualified patients and caregivers who have written prescriptions and legal identification.

4. Don’t sell other prescription drugs, unless you are licensed to do so. Only sell products, such as nutritional supplements, or services, such as counseling and massage services, if you have the licenses required by the state to do so. Complementary products and services are good for business, but only if they are done so legally.

5. Obtain your cannabis stock from qualified growers and distributors only. Buying your weed from any old grow house will not sustain the legal nature of your dispensary.

6. Follow the attorney general guidelines for appropriate business practices in California, as well as the specific regulations dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries.

7. Keep complete and accurate records of your marijuana dispensary’s compliance with all laws and regulations.

8. Set up prescription vending machines for your patients, such as the Medical Dispensing Systems (MDS) MEDBOX for convenient and legally compliant medical marijuana sales to qualifying patients.

Medical marijuana has been improving the quality of life for many with chronic health conditions. Most widely recognized as a treatment for glaucoma in patients, research studies have learned that a number of conditions may be treated through the use of medical marijuana.
Patients who have a prescription for medical marijuana often find that prescription vending machines can allow them to have access to their medication in a secure and easy to use Medbox. These Medboxes are used to give patients more options and control over their medication as it is dispensed. This can also make obtaining refills less time consuming as the medical Cannabis is dispensed through an automated machine dispenser.

While only legal in only a few locations, medical research is proving that marijuana can be properly utilized to treat symptoms of severe conditions as well as other conditions. Conditions that require the use of harsh medications for management or treatment often have side effects that can be treated through the use of marijuana. This can help improve the quality of life for some patients. Some of the conditions currently held to be treatable through the use of medical marijuana include:

• Glaucoma
• Neurological disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Cancer
• Asthma
• Anorexia
• Alcohol abuse

In addition to treating the symptoms of the above conditions, medicinal marijuana has also been demonstrated to alleviate some of the discomfort of other symptoms as well. Some of these symptoms are found in several conditions and the demonstrated ability of medicinal marijuana to lessen these holds promise for future treatments. While not a complete list of the symptoms that medical cannabis can treat, medical research is continuously finding new applications for this drug to help improve patient care. These symptoms include:

• Chronic Pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Insomnia
• Digestive diseases

When properly used, medical cannabis may also help with muscle spasms and cramping that is caused from many conditions such as degenerative muscle diseases. Reduction in pain is another primary benefit from the use of medicinal marijuana and can be beneficial for patients who have not found relief through other forms of pain control medications. A physician will be able to determine whether medical marijuana can help with symptoms from conditions a patient experiences. If it is determined that it will be beneficial a physician may recommend this drug as a treatment plan if it is legal in that state.