cannabisnews.com: Sellers of MMJ See Value in Trademarking Pot 
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Sellers of MMJ See Value in Trademarking Pot 
Posted by CN Staff on July 22, 2010 at 19:33:58 PT
By Richard Halstead
Source: Contra Costa Times
California -- Marin County's doyen of medical marijuana, Lynette Shaw, said she was pleased when she read recently on the Web that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had created a new trademark category for medical marijuana.But the patent office backpedaled last week and eliminated the category, which was established April 1, after an inquiry by the Wall Street Journal.
Shaw, founding director of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax, said the patent office got it right the first time, "because a lot of our medical growers have worked very hard to develop strains that are absolutely reliable for the specific type of illness they were developing the strain for."For example, she said, some strains are more effective for treating depression while others are better for suppressing nausea."We're very proud of this," Shaw said, "and eventually I'd like to be able to offer this type of guaranteed reaction to patients."Shaw said her attempts to secure trademarks from the patent office in the late 1990s were summarily rejected. The patent office backtracked on the medical marijuana category because selling pot for any purpose remains a federal crime, even though it is allowed in some states such as California and Colorado.The patent office is, however, continuing to accept pot-trademark applications. A perusal of the names applied for is like a trip down memory lane to the land of Cheech and Chong, the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and High Times magazine.The list of more than 270 applications includes golden oldie marijuana strains such as Maui Waui, Acapulco Gold and Panama Red and newer but well known strains such as Chronic, Albino Rhino and Purple Haze.Vivian Kaufman, who operates the Marin Wellness Center, a medical marijuana dispensary in Mill Valley, said she was unaware that the patent office was accepting trademark requests. Kaufman said, however, that such names do influence the purchases of her regular customers."Those who have been users know what they need for their ailment," Kaufman said, "so they come in specifically asking for a strain."She said the strains she sells, such as Purple Kush and Trainwreck, are named by growers and often lack any medical connotation.Steve DeAngelo, executive director of the Harborside Health Center medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland, said he has already trademarked the name of his center, outside the marijuana category, and is continuing to seek a second trademark of the name in the medical marijuana category for added protection. He is also seeking a trademark on his center's logo for use on clothing and other products.DeAngelo doubts that anyone will ever succeed in trademarking a marijuana strain."I don't think it is technically feasible to trademark a strain of cannabis because as of now there is no objective, scientific method of verifying that any particular patch of cannabis is a particular strain," DeAngelo said.DeAngelo said Harborside Health Center conducts laboratory tests on the pot it sells and has found big differences between batches of the same strain. For example, when Harborside tested two batches of Grand Daddy Purple, it discovered that one batch had a 6 percent THC content while the other had 22 percent.DeAngelo said a well-trained marijuana purchasing agent should be able to identify most of the commonly known strains of cannabis by examining it with a microscope, touching it and smelling it. But purchasing agents never smoke the pot they're buying to verify its strain, he said."After the first test, your judgment would be so warped any subsequent tests would be useless," DeAngelo said.The requests for trademarks filed with the patent office also stake out a variety of pot-related goods and services with such names as: the ganjacologist, ganja gourmet, godsmokespot.org, e-toke, planet of the baked, hemp head the "higher" energy drink and weedipedia.Several of the trademark requests contain the number "420," a code for pot that according to Steven Hager, editor of High Times, had its origin in Marin County.Hager told the Associated Press in 2009 that the term originated with a group of friends at San Rafael High School in 1971. The students received a tip about an abandoned marijuana patch and began meeting at 4:20 p.m. to search for it. Long after they abandoned the search they continued to meet at 4:20 p.m. near the campus statue of famed chemist Louis Pasteur to smoke pot.Source: Contra Costa Times (CA)Author: Richard HalsteadPublished: July 22, 2010Copyright: 2010 Bay Area News GroupContact: letters cctimes.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/MxASZyRPWebsite: http://www.contracostatimes.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on July 26, 2010 at 13:09:10 PT
Public Policy Poll
Two Fifths of Californians Have Tried Marijuana and More Want it LegalizedMonday, July 26, 2010Those who do and don't smoke marijuana agree on legalizing the sale of cannabis. 52% of voters support Proposition 19 that would legalize, regulate and tax the purchase and sale of marijuana in the state of California. 36% of voters oppose the proposition. 38% of Californians say they’ve smoked marijuana still, 44% of those who claim they’ve never tried marijuana support its legalization. Prop 19 supporters aren't all smokers, suggesting that many Californian's believe the legalization of marijuana is about more than smoking pot and could be the solution to some of California's bigger problems.Democrats are more likely to throw their support behind the prop than Republicans. 62% of Democrats, 37% of Republicans and 55% of Independents support Prop 19.Complete Article: http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/07/two-fifths-of-californians-have-tried.html
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Comment #10 posted by afterburner on July 23, 2010 at 22:40:23 PT
Roger Christie in Jail
That is sick. When will the new Dark Ages of Superstition end? When will true Science once again bring in the new Renaissance?At least the Hilo 14 had the Courage to plead innocent. God bless them. I will add them to my prayers.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by FoM on July 23, 2010 at 13:49:47 PT
konagold
Thank you for the link. 
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Comment #8 posted by konagold on July 23, 2010 at 11:39:24 PT
FoM important story on mainstream media
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/MindMoodNews/marijuana-alternative-treatment-children-ocd-autism/story?id=11227283
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Comment #7 posted by runruff on July 23, 2010 at 10:03:13 PT
Wanna send the prez a message?
http://dpa.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=15905.0&dlv_id=39042Tell him what you think of Michelle [bulldog] Leonhart.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 23, 2010 at 09:55:02 PT
runruff
Thank you.Gloovins it is sad about Christie.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by runruff on July 23, 2010 at 09:46:28 PT
FoM
I have video I am going to post on Youtube, I will give you likks.
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Comment #4 posted by gloovins on July 23, 2010 at 08:50:43 PT
Roger Christie in Jail
http://salem-news.com/articles/july212010/roger-christie.phpForgive me if this has already been posted...So Sad....:(Hope all are well...
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 23, 2010 at 08:06:06 PT
runruff
I think that would be so cool. What cart and harness are you using? Here's a picture of the puppy.4 and a half months old: http://bit.ly/a4cUIX
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on July 23, 2010 at 07:56:58 PT
FOM
Here is what Linda and me are up to with our crew. You have never seen such enthusiasm as when you hook Sisco and Toby Joe up to a scooter or cart.We have two scooters, one seat carriage and one utility cart The Linda lets either Toby or Sisco pull around her garden supplies or take the laundry to the wash house which is located about 250 feet from the house at this time.With your rotties you and stick and the pups would have great time! lolhttp://www.k9carting.com/carts.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 23, 2010 at 07:49:17 PT
NJ: Rutgers Turns Down Gov. Christie's Offer
Rutgers Turns Down Gov. Christie's Offer To Grow N.J. Crop of Medical MarijuanaFriday, July 23, 2010URL: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/rutgers_turns_down_gov_christi.html
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