Medical marijuana producer brings in big bucks for Nanaimo

[escapefromstress]

A federally-licenced medical marijuana producer in Nanaimo, B.C., is contributing so much to the local economy that city council has approved a proposal to roughly quintuple the size of the facility.

"At this particular point in time, [Tilray has] contributed about $3.2 million in direct wages in just over a year in operations, and they will continue to do so," Mayor Bill McKay told The Early Edition's Rick Cluff.

"When they are involved in their building process … 95 per cent of the contractors were locals, so you can imagine when you're going from a 65,000 square foot-facility to a 265,000 square foot-facility — that's good jobs, that's great impact."

According to a report released on Wednesday by the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, Tilray generated $48.1 million in total economic output and fostered 395 jobs during the construction and operation phase last year.

Tilray opened in Nanaimo last April, and it serves roughly 4,000 clients. It currently employs more than 140 people, but that number is expected to increase significantly once the facility expansion is completed

McKay says there were initial concerns from locals about the potential smell from a grow-op, but the fact that the facility is located in an industrial area, away from residences, has eased those worries.

Security is also not a problem, McKay said.

"From what I can see on a tour of the facility, it's almost like the Bank of Canada — it's so strict, if you will," he said. "You can't get anywhere near that facility."

McKay expects the new, larger facility to generate $20 million in tax revenue a year for all three levels of government. He says construction will likely finish within 18 months.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tilray-medical-marijuana-producer-brings-in-big-bucks-for-nanaimo-1.3024714

 

[Lo-ki]

"From what I can see on a tour of the facility, it's almost like the Bank of Canada — it's so strict, if you will," he said. "You can't get anywhere near that facility."

For now anyway....

The Northern Bank robbery took place at the bank’s headquarters, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. On December 20, a group of robbers stole $50 million in pounds. This is one of the biggest robberies in UK history.

On August 6-7, 2005, a gang of robbers, allegedly Primeiro Comando da Capital dug a tunnel towards Banco Central in Fortaleza from where they stole $70 million. The robbers managed to keep the security system silent and nobody knew anything about the robbery until Monday, August 8, when the bank was open.

On March 18, 1990, just a few hours after Saint Patrick Day celebrations had ended in Boston, two men dressed in police officers knocked at the service entry door of the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum. It was around 01:24. The institution’s rules strictly forbad that the doors be opened at night-time, but guards made an exception that night. Although the „police men” did not carry any guns they attacked the guards as soon as they entered the museum. The guards were then handcuffed and taken to the basement.
In less than 90 minutes, the robbers went up to the Dutch Chamber from the second floor and stole three Rembrandt paintings; one of these paintings represented the only marine landscape the painter has ever created. They cut it quickly off the frame and left behind pieces of threaded cloth. Vermeer’s „The Concert” and a Chinese cup were also stolen from the same chamber.

 

[sensualsixty]

Here's hoping that this venture has a better outcome than the convention centre, downtown hotel, and cruise ship terminal, all of which are known as white elephants. Maybe it is time for Nanaimoites to get lucky.

 

[escapefromstress]

Here's hoping that this venture has a better outcome than the convention centre, downtown hotel, and cruise ship terminal, all of which are known as white elephants. Maybe it is time for Nanaimoites to get lucky.

If we follow the American example, things look fairly optimistic.

Colorado is making so much money from cannabis it's having to give some back to citizens

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/colorado-is-making-so-much-money-from-cannabis-its-having-to-give-some-back-to-citizens-10020466.html

 

[sybian]

As with any "Consumable" product being produced for human consumption, the people or businesses that get producing first have an advantage.
There is more demand than there is supply, and these outfits will for the first decade, have a customer for their finished product, as well as supplying the secondary market with "Breeding stock"...They will also have a consumer for new start up businesses..for example, clone plants, equipment, and experienced consultants and employees.
Then there is the "Back Door" sales in overproduction, when they exceed there weight quota.
It will take a decade to iron out all the demand and supply problems, prices ,production, and laws will find their balance for a newly controlled industry, that already had an established history behind closed doors.

 

[escapefromstress]

Gotta watch out for those stoned bud bunnies though ... http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dea-agent-warns-utah-lawmakers-fearless-stoned-rabbits-article-1.2135339

 

[sybian]

All the Ranchers around here install cages around here with a 4x8 footprint to calculate the amount of alfalfa Deer are consuming in our hayfields.
Last summer I had a Government dude here that said I was loosing 28% of my crop, he also said "Thats very unlikley it's that high".....So I cooked him dinner, and when it got dark, we went out in my main hayfield with a spotlight...........We counted approx. 265 deer feeding on my crop.
So between Wolves, Mountain Lions ,and Deer I'm loosing a huge part of my profits....But thats just part of doing business in my environment.

 

[escapefromstress]

All the Ranchers around here install cages around here with a 4x8 footprint to calculate the amount of alfalfa Deer are consuming in our hayfields.
Last summer I had a Government dude here that said I was loosing 28% of my crop, he also said "Thats very unlikley it's that high".....So I cooked him dinner, and when it got dark, we went out in my main hayfield with a spotlight...........We counted approx. 265 deer feeding on my crop.
So between Wolves, Mountain Lions ,and Deer I'm loosing a huge part of my profits....But thats just part of doing business in my environment.

Maybe you should find a market for venison ...

 

[sybian]

Nah.....They're just being Deer.
Although I sure don't like it when they almost knock me over with their antlers ,charging out of my haybarn.

 

[Larry Storch]

If we follow the American example, things look fairly optimistic.

Colorado is making so much money from cannabis it's having to give some back to citizens

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/colorado-is-making-so-much-money-from-cannabis-its-having-to-give-some-back-to-citizens-10020466.html

I'm kinda confused. The headline says "...it's having to give some back to citizens." Yet the story states:

"It's such an uncommon situation that both Democrats and Republicans are in agreement on it - both insist that there is no point in returning the money to taxpayers, not something you usually hear the GOP saying.

"I think it's appropriate that we keep the money for marijuana that the voters said that we should," said Republican Senate President Bill Cadman.

"This is a little bit of a different animal. There's a struggle on this one," added Sen. Kevin Grantham, one of the Republican budget writers."

Its nice to think that the government would give something back to the people who pay for everything, but unfortunately they usually find some way to hold onto it. Yes, it's generally spent on infrastructure, services etc., however there is also a large amount of waste.

 

[escapefromstress]

Pot hot, must get aired in federal election, says Olympic medallist Ross Rebagliati

VANCOUVER – On his average day, athlete Ross Rebagliati rises about 4:30 a.m., brews himself a cup of coffee and then stirs in the ingredient he considers most crucial: honey infused with cannabis. “I just wake up feeling great, looking forward to my workout. And it takes care of any aches and pains from the days before,” he said Tuesday, before adding the medical-grade marijuana extract doesn’t make him high.

The Olympic medallist, who now runs his own medical pot company, said he’s convinced that educating citizens about the health benefits of marijuana will make it so mainstream that legalization is inevitable. “I’ve been waiting 17 years for this to happen.”

Rebagliati expressed hopes the budding momentum will be seized by politicians leading up to the October federal election, one day after thousands across the country celebrated cannabis’ biggest day, known as 4/20. “This election will make a difference,” he said. “This is an opportunity right now not only for political parties to open their eyes to the necessity of cannabis, not only for the people as a medicine, but now also as a political platform.

“It’s become such a hot topic that they just have to address it.”

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau supports legalizing marijuana, while NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is in favour of decriminalization and the Conservatives maintain that a full criminal ban continues tobe warranted.

The Tories spent more than $7 million on a anti-drug advertising blitz that concluded earlier this year, but Health Minister Rona Ambrose denied it was a veiled attack on Trudeau’s stance.

Rebagliati said his company, Green and Hill Industries, which markets under the brand Ross’ Gold, doesn’t support any party, but instead is on a mission to dispel the myths and reduce stigma of marijuana. The biggest hurdle, in his view, is the U.S. inclusion of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, which he says is preventing the Food and Drug Administration from granting its approval as a legitimate medicine.

The 44-year-old father of two spent Monday, the day devoted to weed, at a booth in downtown Toronto promoting his company, which hasn’t obtained licences to sell the drug yet. “Now that the scientific research is out there, it’s time to get that in front of normal Canadians, normal people around the world,” he said. “So (that way) they can be comfortable with the idea that cannabis is a healthy alternative in many, many cases to pharmaceuticals and for other recreational drugs and alcohol and tobacco.”

He said the wide mix of people – including families and people wearing suits – who attended 4/20 events in places like Toronto and Vancouver on Monday shows that a broader demographic accepts pot.

He attributes the success of his company so far – which is touting a line of elaborate glass pipes – to the 1998 Winter Olympics when controversy ensued after he tested positive for marijuana. The athlete was stripped of his gold medal for snowboarding, but the drug was not officially banned. The decision was ultimately overturned.

He claimed his athletic performance is enhanced by a compound in cannabis called CBD, which doesn’t create the high but instead is an anti-inflammatory that reduces anxiety and pain. He said the atmosphere for discussing pot has transformed, nearly two decades after his ordeal with the International Olympic Committee. “At the time no one would listen to anyone saying how it would be good for an athlete or it can help children with epilepsy,” he said. “For some reason it’s hard to get people to believe it.”

http://globalnews.ca/news/1953420/pot-hot-must-get-aired-in-federal-electio-says-olympic-medallist-ross-rebagliati/

 

[escapefromstress]

Vancouver proposes tougher rules for medical pot dispensaries

VANCOUVER - Tough, new zoning and business-licence rules may soon be rolled out for medical marijuana retailers in Vancouver, with one prominent seller hoping the regulations become a national model. City staff plan to present to the mayor and council next week their framework, which could set a precedent when applied by the municipality that's said to have the fastest budding industry in Canada.

“The city has no jurisdiction to regulate the sale of marijuana, but it does have clear jurisdiction to regulate how and where businesses operate in our city,” said a news release issued by staff Wednesday. “Up to now there has been a lack of clear and transparent regulatory framework from the federal government.”

The proposal aims to balance the needs of those accessing medical cannabis with community safety, security and aesthetics, the city announced. The rules would require retailers to notify the public before opening a store, pay a $30,000 licensing fee and be located at least 300 metres from schools, community centres and other marijuana-related businesses. The Vancouver police department, school board, health authority and business-improvement groups provided input.

More than 80 medical marijuana stores have opened in the last two years, and the city noted that 20 of those launched during the last four months alone.

Marijuana advocate Dana Larsen, who has run the Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary for seven years, said in an interview that no other Canadian city has developed comprehensive regulations. He said the local industry welcomes oversight and is optimistic any kinks can be worked out. “I'm hoping what comes out of this is an example for the rest of Canada on how you can properly regulate cannabis dispensaries,” said Larsen, who is also vice-president of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. “If they wanted to crack down, they would have cracked down years ago and not let it proliferate the way it has.”

Vancouver city councillors have previously said the city has lost patience with the federal government, which upholds criminalization and opposes legitimizing dispensaries.

Larsen said he was aware of only one dispensary in the country currently operating with a specific business licence for medical marijuana, and it's located in West Kelowna,B.C. Toronto has about nine dispensaries, he said, some of which might have business licences but didn't apply to sell medical marijuana. Larsen said more than half the dispensaries in Canada are located in Vancouver, but more are opening in B.C communities like Victoria, Nanaimo, Grand Forks and Parksville, as well as in Calgary and Saskatoon. Only about 20 dispensaries operate outside of B.C., most of them in Ontario and Quebec, he said.

Larsen said his facility is located within 300 metres of a community centre and he hopes the rules don't call for a total ban but instead apply on a case-by-case basis. “I would hope that after seven years being in the community with no problems, that we could be grandfathered in,” he said.

The city's new release said a public hearing may be held to draw additional comment. The city's first marijuana-related business opened in 1997.

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-proposes-tougher-rules-for-medical-pot-dispensaries-1.2340104

 

[Lo-ki]

Health Minister warns Vancouver not to regulate ‘illegal’ marijuana dispensaries



Andrea Woo
VANCOUVER — The Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, Apr. 23 2015, 5:35 PM EDT

The federal Health Minister is warning Vancouver’s mayor not to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, which she says are illegal and will encourage drug use.

Council is expected to consider a proposal next week that would create a special business licence for the city’s dispensaries, whose numbers have exploded as the city and its police have allowed them to operate with little interference. The dispensaries are not part of the legal medical marijuana system operated by the federal government.

The move appeared to set the stage for a confrontation between the city and the federal government. While Health Minister Rona Ambrose‘s letter did not explicitly say her government plans to intervene, she said the dispensaries will be operating outside the law.

“Storefronts and dispensaries do not operate within a ‘grey zone’ and the law is clear: they are illegal,” the health minister wrote in a letter dated Thursday.

She also suggested the city’s plan was akin to sanctioning marijuana use.

“Legitimizing and normalizing the use and sale of marijuana can have only one effect: increasing marijuana use and addiction.”

The city says its proposed framework is a public-safety response to the rapid growth of dispensaries, which spiked to 80 in 2015 from 20 in 2012.

It would require proponents to pay a fee of $30,000 and would prohibit them from operating near a school, community centre or another dispensary.

Ms. Ambrose noted that while the courts have ordered the government to allow access to marijuana when authorized by a physician, it remains a federal matter. Last year, the government implemented new regulations that prohibit patients from growing their own pot and instead set up a system of commercial licensed producers.

“These regulations are clear and do not provide municipalities with the authority to legitimize the commercial sale of marijuana, which remains an illegal substance,” she wrote.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...legal-marijuana-dispensaries/article24090887/

 

[escapefromstress]

New pot prescribing standards for B.C. doctors

VANCOUVER – The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons is looking to weed out the so called ‘pot docs’ by putting in place new standards when it comes to prescribing medical marijuana.

The new rules could make accessing the drug at Vancouver’s more than 80 dispensaries more difficult. The new rules look to keep doctors from prescribing to people under the age of 25. They also forbid doctors from charging patients for marijuana-related medical documents.

Now doctors prescribing the drug must either be, or have the approval of, a patient’s primary physician.

Dana Larson, from Sensible BC, says “I know a lot of people, under 25, who are prescribed Ritalin, who are prescribed opiate pain relievers, other medicines like that, that are far more addictive and far more potentially harmful to the brain and body than cannabis is.”

Many marijuana advocates welcome some degree of regulation, even suggesting that certain marijuana products could be sold at pharmacies. Larsen says creams, tinctures, and other items like that, could belong in a pharmacy.

The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons did not respond to a request for an interview.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1985243/new-pot-prescribing-standards-for-b-c-doctors/

 

[escapefromstress]

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/dc-police-chief-marijuana-arrests-people-hate-us-users-relax/

 

[escapefromstress]

Medical marijuana company gives $1M to UBC HIV researcher
A Richmond-based medical marijuana company is donating $1 million to research at UBC.

A UBC researcher is getting $1 million dollars from a medical marijuana company to fund research into pot's potential to treat HIV/AIDS and alleviate pain and nausea in patients.

M.J. Milloy, an infectious disease researcher at UBC, published a study earlier this year how daily marijuana use can help HIV positive people.

The donation comes from National Green Biomed, a Richmond, B.C., company co-founded by former Liberal MP Herb Dhaliwal.

"Because cannabis has been seen primarily as a recreational drug, its medical implications have been much overlooked in formal research circles," said Dhaliwal in a UBC press release.

The company is still awaiting a Health Canada license to cultivate marijuana at a site in the Fraser Valley, according to the release.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/medical-marijuana-company-gives-1m-to-ubc-hiv-researcher-1.3104858?cmp=rss

 

[escapefromstress]

Naked Weed Report

http://www.nakedweedreport.com/

 

[westwoody]

My friend used to get medical marijuana from the government and it was absolute garbage, low quality, low potency and the packets had lots of shake in them.
He grows his own now and is better off. As long as you are reasonably discreet it is not an issue for L E.
Just to be clear, he is very sick and it definitely helps him.

 

[escapefromstress]

Ross Rebagliati promotes pot glassware as he awaits medicinal marijuana business

Olympic gold medallist Ross Rebagliati was in Vancouver on Saturday to promote his new line of marijuana glassware at the CottonMount Smoke Shop at 1120 Davie Street.

The glassware is the latest addition to Rebagliati’s medicinal pot business, which is currently working its way through government licensing.

Among the bongs and pipes sold under the Ross’ Gold brand is this one-of-a-kind 24-carat gold water pipe, which sells for $24,420. Rebagliati promises that if the pipe is sold to a Canadian buyer, he will personally hand deliver the product.

Ross’ Gold is being marketed as “premium branded cannabis,” with various strands such as Ross’ Platinum, Ross’ Gold, Ross’ Silver, and Ross’ Bronze.

Rebagliati made headlines around the world in 1998 when he became the first to ever win an Olympic gold medal for men’s snowboarding at that year’s Winter Olympic Games in Nagano.

Following his win, Rebagliati was disqualified after he tested positive for marijuana. The decision was later overturned and his gold medal was returned to him.

© Copyright (c) The Province

http://www.theprovince.com/health/Ross+Rebagliati+promotes+glassware+awaits+medicinal/11154440/story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[escapefromstress]

Marijuana firms Tweed and Bedrocan to merge to create dominant Canadian player

Two of Canada’s largest medical marijuana firms are combining in a deal that will create a dominant domestic producer and reshape the fledgling industry.

Tweed Marijuana Inc. and Bedrocan Cannabis Corp. have agreed to merge, the companies said. It is an all-stock acquisition by Tweed that values Bedrocan at about $58 million, or 84 cents a share, compared to its closing price of 66 cents on Tuesday.

It is the first merger to occur in Canada’s medical marijuana space since the sector got off the ground last year, and it is a game-changer. The combined company will be the industry’s undisputed leader, with more than 25 per cent of all the registered patients and production capacity across the country. It will have three production facilities in Ontario, and a total licensed sales capacity roughly 6,000 kilograms of medical pot per year. The combined market cap of the two firms is triple the size of its closest rivals.

This is the sort of transaction investors have been waiting for. When the federal government implemented new rules in April 2014 that required patients to buy medical marijuana from licensed producers, it triggered a frenzy as dozens of new entrants jumped into the business. Consolidation is viewed as essential to get the sector down to a handful of quality firms with broad product lines.

“Once you’ve delineated exactly who’s No. 1, I think a lot of the support will follow to that direction from patients and capital markets,” Tweed co-founder and chief executive Bruce Linton said in an interview.

Toronto-based Bedrocan and Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Tweed said their businesses are complementary. Tweed, which was the first publicly traded marijuana company to get licensed by Health Canada, has a strong consumer focus and a lot of capital markets experience. Bedrocan, on the other hand, is all about science. The company’s Dutch licensor, Bedrocan BV, has been in the industry for decades and is recognized for producing standardized, high-quality products to treat a variety of illnesses. Bedrocan Canada has said its new facility in the Toronto area is the most advanced of its kind in the world.

“For anybody observing the sector, there was a brand (Tweed) which was a conversation, and there was a brand (Bedrocan) which has a medical-oriented strength,” Linton said.

“It was very obvious to us that you could put the two together and dominate the market, because it would give every patient and doctor options and access that resonate with one audience or the other.”

http://business.financialpost.com/investing/marijuana-firms-tweed-and-bedrocan-to-merge-to-create-dominant-canadian-player