Category Archives: Marijuana Industry

Smoking Marijuana Outside of Work Hours can Still Get You Fired in Colorado

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jointColorado ruled in favor of legalizing cannabis, yet workers still need to remain cautious about using it. Businesses retain the right to fire employees who use marijuana, even outside of work hours. It’s up to each individual business to decide whether or not casual use of marijuana outside of work is permitted. Companies can legally perform drug tests at any given moment to determine whether or not their employees are using the drug.

The subject gained a lot of interest after a quadriplegic man from Colorado was fired from his job at Dish Network. He tested positive for the use of marijuana, which is against the company’s policies. Many have protested and debated this issue saying that the state has legalized it and he was clearly using it for medicinal purposes. Nonetheless, the state of Colorado still allows companies the freedom to choose whether or not their employees can use cannabis.

Cannabis Businesses are Still High Risk

Although the state has decriminalized the drug, businesses in the cannabis industry still remain high risk businesses. These businesses still need to search for marijuana business funding from specialized investors in order to get their business off the ground. Banks don’t like putting their trust into marijuana businesses due to the legal issues on a federal level.

As high risk businesses, the marijuana industry will continue struggling with these types of issues. If marijuana was similar to beer on a legal standing point, this would never be an issue. No company has the right to refuse employees to drink a cold beer when they go home after a long day at work, but it definitely is the case with marijuana.

So what’s to come from this? Most likely, companies will continue having the right to request drugs tests for many years to come. However, this may eventually come to a haul once the federal government decriminalizes marijuana and places it on a similar level to alcohol. If this were to ever happen, then employees would most likely be permitted to smoke marijuana without any risks of losing their jobs.

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6 States Where Marijuana is Legal but Hard to Get

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Marijuana American FlagMany states across America have decided to legalize marijuana for recreational and medical purposes. However, some states still make it quite difficult for consumers to get their hands on it. With marijuana payment processing accounts being difficult to get approved for and with numerous regulations, not all states make marijuana accessible regardless of it being legal. Here are 6 states that have legalized marijuana, but make it nearly impossible to buy.

Massachusetts

Cannabis has been legal in Massachusetts since 2012, but with tons of licencing issues, it has become nearly impossible to get a hold of. To this day, there has not been a single dispensary that has open its doors.

Minnesota

Minnesota has some of the strictest regulations for medical marijuana use in the country with a maximum of eight dispensaries and only nine accepted conditions that permit patients to use the drug. Plus, the drug cannot be smoked; vaping and pill form are the only two ways that marijuana is permitted in Minnesota.

Illinois

Marijuana became legal for medicinal purposes in 2013, yet it still has not opened up a single dispensary. Less than 2,500 patients are enrolled in the program and still cannot get their hands on any cannabis. Home growing marijuana is considered illegal, making it impossible for patients to use the drug to this day regardless of it being legal.

Delaware

Getting marijuana in Delaware is incredibly difficult since no dispensary has yet to open its doors. With a mere 200 enrolled patients and still no cannabis being grown, this is one of the states that has legalized marijuana without any options made available to patients.

New Jersey

New Jersey passed medical marijuana in 2010, but only opened its first dispensary in 2013. Today, only three dispensaries have been opening, making cannabis scarce and waiting lists long. Plus, the prices are roughly $500 per ounce of marijuana, making them the state with the most expensive weed in the country.

New Hampshire

Medical marijuana has been permitted in New Hampshire since 2013, yet no dispensaries have opened so far. Only five medical conditions qualify for the drug , home growing is not permitted and patients cannot even register for medical marijuana cards.

For marijuana payment processing solutions contact us today!

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New MMJ Dispensaries Geared to Make a Ripple in U.S.

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MarijuanaIn the last 10 days, 3 states have opened MMJ dispensaries. The states of Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Delaware have seen their first medical dispensaries. Medical marijuana advocates are elated by the openings and believe that they will do wonders for the industry as a whole, but some state officials are skeptical about the positive affects the facilities can have on the local and stare economies, and on the population in general. Here’s a small glimpse at the impacts the new dispensaries can have on their states.

In Massachusetts, the new dispensary faces the potential of running out of supply as only one other dispensary is operating and there are over 9,000 registered patients demanding product. This is because Massachusetts is slow to approve licenses for dispensaries. Since the legalization of medical marijuana in the state, only one out of 15 licensed dispensaries have actually managed to open.

In Minnesota they have the exact opposite problem. There are only two dispensaries in the entire state, but they are struggling due to extremely low demand (there are only 65 registered patients). Their only hope is to get more patients approved for medical cannabis, but that depends on Minnesota doctors clearing more patients for use. So far most doctors in Minnesota have been very reluctant to clear patients to use medical marijuana.

As for Delaware, the state only has 344 registered patients. Even though the state legalized medical cannabis in 2011, it has been slow to open dispensaries. Right now, only one dispensary will be operational. Despite the fact that these states face a few obstacles, the momentum is still on the side of MMJs. 2016 promises to be a better year for dispensaries when even more states are expected to legalize or decriminalize recreational and medical cannabis.

If more MMJ dispensaries open next year with large or sustainable demand, it could mean a significant boost for the MMJ industry as a whole. Now is the time for you to investigate more marijuana payment processing options for your dispensary.  The marijuana payment solutions provided by MMA will help grow your company’s business by giving your customers more ways to pay for your products.

Learn more about expanding your customer’s payment options beyond cash today!

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Legalized Marijuana Helps All Industries – Including Real Estate

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marijuana dispensary merchant accountMarijuana and real estate may seem like they do not go together, at least legally. When you think of the two words together, you may think of a big drug lord and his mega mansion. However, in today’s world legalized marijuana is quickly becoming a familiar feature, and this legality can help local real estate markets. It doesn’t help only because the proprietor is making big bucks, but it helps small downtown areas, and other commercial areas. This legalization has caused some to worry, but for areas who have legalized it, they are seeing the economic growth that it can bring.

One of the unknown or perhaps un-thought of, real estate issues that come with legalized marijuana is where it is grown. New York State, which has legalized medical marijuana, permits the marijuana to be grown in an enclosed greenhouse or warehouse. This brings the need for rentable space, or buyable space for those lucky ones who can afford to purchase property in New York. These are spaces that otherwise would be unoccupied, and thanks to the legalization of medical marijuana, they are now occupied, and the monies paid in rent is filtered back through the state’s economy. Other have found that hemp, a nationally legalized strain of cannabis, can be grown and used for other things. For instance, clothing, jewelry, and building materials. Hemp can be shipped around the globe, unlike it’s green cousin, and can be grown and processed (and used) without any odor.

While starting your own legalized marijuana business can bring you big bucks, it can also contribute to all aspects of your local economy. From providing jobs, to renting a retail space, to ordering takeout at local restaurants, the economic flow is endless. You need to make sure that you have your company in order, from employees down to marijuana merchant processing account, so that your business can fully contribute to your local economy. Not all areas are welcoming to the industry as soon as it is legalized, but after the local economy grows, they become friendlier to the new growth in the area.

For Marijuana Merchant Processing contact us today!

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Sacramento Marijuana Bill makes it to the Senate

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SacramentoAs marijuana becomes decriminalized at a much faster rate, more laws are being instated. With 25 American states already legalizing marijuana, it’s important for regulations and growing restrictions to be placed. The Sacramento bill AB-243 has recently passed and is on its way to senate. This bill essentially aims to regulate the growing procedures of medical marijuana so it remains legal and remains under control at all times.

The new bill is going to regulate the amount of plants each growing operation can have, the amount of water it can use on a daily basis, where to discharge the water and much more. Chemicals will also be required in order to avoid discharging intoxicated water. As medical marijuana continues growing, it’s important for these regulations to be instated in order to keep an eye on all activities. It’s more of a matter of control just like with any other industry.

Medical marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, making it difficult for businesses in the marijuana industry to grow in the first place. They often have to result to getting a special marijuana payment processing account simply to accept credit card payments. Along with these new regulations, growers could be facing numerous complications. With a maximum amount of plants per growing op, it will definitely limit the amount of profits that each grower will be able to achieve.

Although the bill has not yet passed senate, it’s on its way and is the first marijuana related bill to make it to senate this year. Things are looking good for this bill, especially since it aims to add more control over the newly developed industry.

Northern California is home of numerous growing operations and keeping order and control is of utmost importance. Instance of entire towns drying out due to overuse of water for medical marijuana growing operations have occurred. This bill aims to avoid such instances from ever reoccurring again. We will have to wait and see whether or not senate will pass the bill.

Contact us for Marijuana Payment Processing Solutions today!

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Time to Move Forward as House Reauthorizes Rohrabacher-Farr CJS Amendment

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Washington DC Capitol detail on cloudy skyEyes are now focused on the future after the United States House of Representatives backed the reauthorization of the Rohrabacher-Farr medical marijuana amendment through a majority vote. The amendment has been authorized to the CJS- Commerce, Science, and Justice Appropriations bill for the year 2015.

The Rohrabacher-Farr medical marijuana amendment prohibits the US Department of Justice from spending public money on prevention of the implementation of medical marijuana programs. In the absence of the amendment, the constitution would prohibit any state-level medical marijuana programs from being implemented. It would as well approve funding for raids on federal medical marijuana, sanction arrests and prosecutions in different US states where medical cannabis has been legalized.

In essence, the constitution would overrule any other laws governing the medical marijuana programs in various states.

The Rohrabacher-Farr medical marijuana amendment currently covers 39 states following the addition of seven more states into the program last year. It also protects access to medical marijuana programs for about 275 million residents of the different states.

Patients now applaud the move by the US House of Representatives to have the Rohrabacher-Farr medical cannabis amendment back in force. The amendment provides essential protection for both patients of medical cannabis and the people who provide them with access to this medicine.

Officials have termed this move as a reaffirmation that the federal government is committed to keep from interfering with state medical marijuana programs. They have called upon the people to use this time to focus ahead in making the medical cannabis programs helpful to many. What is left is to create a framework that will bring both federal and state authorities to cooperate in passing the Carers Act.

Impact on the economy

The re-authorization of this amendment is likely to have a far reaching impact on the economy. With open recognition of this product, the government is likely to start getting revenue out of its sale and related trading actions. Businesses have equally welcomed this piece of legislation with great prospects. Financial organizations are already providing marijuana business funding to merchants who are venturing into this industry.

Get your Marijuana Business Funding Today!

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Should States Set Their Own Marijuana Rules? Time for Congress to Say Yes

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policymicpicThe US law maker- Congress holds the power to determine laws in the nation. That vested power is currently set to decide whether states will have the sovereignty to make their own marijuana policies.

Different states have made considerable steps toward accepting marijuana mainly because of its medical purposes. Yet the federal government has continued to influence the decisions made in these states. The Constitution empowers the federal government to overrule state decisions.

Constitutional amendment that would free these states to make their decisions independently with regard to marijuana is in the offing. The amendment that is pending voting to a Justice Department should determine the fate of marijuana and the free marijuana states.

Reasons why Congress members need to vote this amendment 

More than half the total states comprising the United States of America currently have laws that allow at least some use of marijuana. Medical use of marijuana is already permitted in twenty three states as well as the District of Columbia. Four other states currently recognize cannabis and regulate its production and sale to all grownups. Washington D.C. for instance has no penalties for any personal use of marijuana. Neither does it punish persons for possession or cultivation of the plant.

Well over a dozen more states allow patients to be in possession of a certain compound extracted from the marijuana plant and used to suppress convulsion. CBD or cannabidiol is an extract of cannabis that has many medical uses in addition to being an anticonvulsant.  Cultivation of the plant in its industrial state (industrial hemp) is permitted in almost half of all the states.

The federal government still has the powers to prosecute an individual found with marijuana even if their state allows the medical plant. This is causing controversies and is reason enough for the US Congress to now draw a definite line with this plant.

Amendment of the current law would allow the states in which cannabis is now permitted and their residents to implement their marijuana policies free from interference of the federal government. People found in possession of the medical marijuana will not be prosecuted by the federal government if they come from states where marijuana is legal.

Even a better reason for Congress to approve the said amendment is the fact that the general public has become more supportive of marijuana. A good majority have testified for its medical effectiveness. The same opinion is shared by the business community. Payment processors are already offering Marijuana Merchant Processing services.

Hopefully, these reasons will dawn on the US Congress and make the members vote in favor of the amendment.

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House Votes to Protect Marijuana Merchants

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Medical marijuana in large jarThe federal government and marijuana merchants are usually on opposite sides of the aisle when it comes to agreeing with, well, almost anything. Luckily, for the second year in a row, the Republican-held House of Representatives voted to protect legalized marijuana merchants from federal interference in states where the drug is still illegal. This “legalized” marijuana only concerns medical marijuana, which could leave a few states in a jam.

While this resolution blocks the Justice Department – including the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) – from using federal money to undermine legalized medical marijuana merchants, legalized recreational merchants are in limbo. While certain states (Alaska, Colorado, & Washington State) have legalized recreational marijuana, the possession, growing, packaging, and selling of any type of marijuana is still a federal crime. So, even though the state may not pursue charges, the federal government can if they see fit. According to the United States Supreme Court, federal laws typically trump state laws when they are in conflict.

If you are an existing, or soon-to-be, medical or recreational marijuana merchant, you need to make sure that your marijuana payment processing account is secure. “Secure” not only from hacking’s, but from improper searches. While marijuana payment processing is hard to find, not all that advertise their services are up to par with the changes that are constantly taking place in the industry. This is a tough and tricky industry, and it takes a smart and dedicated processor to help you find success. Some are “fly by night” processors, who hop into the field due to its lucrative nature, but quickly flee when things get tough. You need to make sure that your processor is experienced and knowledgeable, such as “Marijuana Merchant Account”. Processors like MMA have years of experience, knowledge, and the reputation to get you where you need to go in the legalized marijuana industry.

There is a difference in the workings of medical and legalized marijuana merchants, and few processors know this. Experienced processors know that while the industry have its ups and downs, it is a worthy cause for all involved.

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Banks Get Conflicting Message on Pot Funds

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Marijuana and Dollar notesEveryone knows that the legalized marijuana business is a moneymaker. However, marijuana is still illegal in the federal government’s eyes, and they can make the moneymaking ability difficult. Even though three states have legalized recreational marijuana, and others have legalized medical marijuana, state law is often trumped by federal law. While the House of Representatives recently renewed a law that protect legalized medical marijuana merchants from searches, seizures, and overall harassment from the feds (and DEA), but this leaves out one important issue: the banking issue.

The federal government regulates the banks, which may lead merchants to believe that banks should not be allowed to accept funds from legalized marijuana merchants. However, the feds and banks are sending mixed signals. The biggest new line of business for America’s biggest banks is, in fact, the legalized marijuana industry. While many believe the industry to be cash-based, and in certain aspects, it is, many choose to find marijuana payment solutions, such as the options offered by MMA. This helps keep your accounts safe from fraud. For instance, if a fraudulent charge hits, your processor and bank can help figure it out. If you are a “cash only” business and are dealt fraudulent bills, there is nothing you can do about it. “Cash only” businesses are also risky, as they are often targets of robbery.

Banks are now required by the feds to file “suspicious activity reports” on each customer. While intrusive, this can help keep businesses safe, and categorized better. Typically, marijuana payment solutions and their clients are considered “high risk” to the banking industry. This new system can help keep customers, merchants, and the entire industry safe and in check. However, while this idea is floating around, many big banks are not biting yet. They find that the risk is too big, especially due to the fed’s ability to override any state laws regarding the legalization of marijuana in any form. The best thing for all legalized marijuana merchants is to make sure that their marijuana processing solution is educated and up-to-date with all information and changes regarding the industry.

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