Not quite, but a Bill Just Passed is a Positive First Step

By Jonathan Gilinski

What is the significance of this bill?

Under the Rohrabacher-Farr bill, the federal government no longer has any say or oversight in policing or regulating the plant for medicinal purposes in the 23 medical states, leaving the decision-making up to the State level government. This is a turning point in history and a much-needed change from the stigmas that once prevented its success. With this bill, acceptance for the medicinal use of marijuana will blossom, and open up more and new opportunities for the industry to expand.

What will this change?

Among many things, this rider may eventually enable those in the medical cannabis industry access to banks, solving a problem for many entrepreneurs in states where the substance is legal. Even more however, are the opportunities for its use in the realm of medicine. Medicinal marijuana is used to treat numerous illnesses; it not only has the potential to relieve pain, but also can be effective in treatment for seizures, Crohn’s disease, cancer, and HIV among many others. There are many skeptics who claim that this bill and what it represents, is simply an excuse to legalize recreational smoking of marijuana. Making such a claim however, is ignoring the hundreds of thousands of people with ailments who get relief from the plant. Denying them the right to access something that helps and brings relief to their suffering is simply insensitive.

What obstacles does the medicinal marijuana industry face?

There have been and will be naysayers who object to the use of medicinal marijuana regardless of the facts. While not looking at the full picture, they are blinded by outdated stigmas and turn a stiff neck towards its proven benefits. Nevertheless, we must not concede to the naysayers but instead greet this bill with open arms.

This bill is a step in the right direction, by advancing acceptance for and use of medicinal marijuana it eases the tension that not only businesses in the industry have faced but that doctors and patients have been confronted with as well. One quandary still remains however, while federal government can no longer expend funds on raiding medicinal companies, it broaches the question of substituting that with targeting states that have legalized recreational marijuana in addition to those states who have yet to legalize. We must wait and see how it unfolds and keep an eye on the states that this may affect.

 What are the next steps?

There is a two-step process that will advance this industry. First doctors must be brought on board and made comfortable with cannabis, and second they must be properly educated and trained to prescribe cannabis capsules rather than recommend them, consequently making patients more comfortable with it as well. Since doctors lack knowledge on cannabis capsules, they turn to other drugs that they are familiar with. By changing this so that they can properly prescribe it, medicinal marijuana will be implemented into common patient care.

With legislation on board and doctors endorsing its use, naysayers will be close behind in approving its use and soon, nothing will stand in the way of the industry’s success.

Looking into the future

My company, The Capsule Consulting Group, is at the forefront of this industry and is prepared to take the lead on furthering if from its infant stage. I believe that this new opportunity is paving the way for cannabis capsules to compliment, not overtake, the current infrastructure. By recognizing that total acceptance has not yet been reached, the next step is to gain the support of the doctors. Doing this will demonstrate to the world that cannabis legalization is not just about smoking recreationally, ultimately weakening the argument of the naysayers.