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| Entrepreneurs Emerging to Help Grow Marijuana |
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Posted by FoM on August 10, 2001 at 08:32:05 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press 
Entrepreneurs have begun cultivating a new market in Nevada, offering green thumbs for hire and "growing kits" to potential medical marijuana users. About 30 people peppered state officials with questions Thursday about the legalities of helping people once a newly approved state law lets qualified Nevada patients grow their own marijuana for medical treatment. "I'm healthy, fortunately and don't need medical marijuana," Las Vegas resident Michael Hault told the Las Vegas Review-Journal after a workshop with state officials in Las Vegas. "But my mom recently developed cancer," Hault said, "and there's nothing wrong with helping to relieve someone's suffering." Comment from the meeting may be included in the final regulations, which go into effect Oct. 1. Under the Nevada law passed in June, patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and other debilitating diseases can grow up to seven marijuana plants after getting permission from their doctor. Patients must register with the state Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program. It isn't clear whether helping patients grow plants is legal under the new law. But as long as patients keep the plants at their home and don't hire someone to grow them elsewhere, it shouldn't be a problem, said Don Henderson, assistant director for the Department of Agriculture. Retired businessman Richard Peterson passed out fliers advertising his business to help patients grow and harvest their own plants. Patients can buy kits for between $1,500 and $3,000 that include seeds, special lights, an instructional video and other equipment. "We teach our people not to smoke it," Peterson said. "We show them how to vaporize it so they don't get the smoke or the tar, only the medicine." The vaporizing equipment also is included in the growing kits, said Peterson, who plans to use medical marijuana himself for an undisclosed illness. "Eventually we hope people will grow the plants on their own, but we just want to get them started," Peterson said. "There will be some people, however, who won't want to do it on their own and will need a service." Potential medical marijuana user Charlotte Shuman said she needs a gardener. "I came here hoping to find answers to questions about growing," said the 50-year-old who suffers from chronic pain following a car accident. "I didn't realize how complicated growing the plants would be, and I don't feel I'm able to do that. I would have to hire somebody." Other concerns voiced at the workshop dealt with the registration process, possible federal prosecution and the willingness of Nevada doctors to participate in the program. The law exempts registered users from state or local prosecution, but doesn't protect them from the federal law that deems marijuana use illegal. Complete Title: Entrepreneurs Emerging to Help Grow Medical Marijuana Plants Source: Associated Press Related Articles: Medical Marijuana Network Sought Hearing Reveals Contradictions Surrounding Law Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on August 10, 2001 at 10:32:37 PT:
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| We teach our people not to smoke it," Peterson said. "We show them how to vaporize it so they don't get the smoke or the tar, only the medicine." The vaporizing equipment also is included in the growing kits, said Peterson, who plans to use medical marijuana himself for an undisclosed illness. [ Post Comment ] |
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