Cannabis Rant !

Ignore the cynical quote about democracy attributed to Joseph Stalin – ‘It’s not the people that vote who count - It’s the people that count the votes’!

Here’s why -

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden entered the race as favourite Democratic candidate to oppose Republican President Donald Trump in the forthcoming November mid-term elections.

But he slumped to fourth in the recent State Primary behind Senator Bernie Sanders, the current front runner.

His opposition to Cannabis legalisation is probably the reason behind his loss of popularity with the public, bearing in mind that a recent poll showed that 60% of American citizens are in favour of legalising cannabis/marijuana.

In an attempt to regain lost ground he has softened his objection by calling for more research and supporting decriminalisation.

You can’t put too much weight on Senator Biden's or any other politician's comments – especially in an election year. The next time a politician weighs into the cannabis debate, keep this in mind: Legalizing cannabis doesn't require a politician's approval.

Citizens can tell politicians what the laws will be through the ballot box. And that's exactly what's happening across the world.

The support for Cannabis /Marijuana legalization is seeing a ground swell of people power in the United States and all over. That's what makes cannabis legalisation inevitable, which will benefit health and tax revenues.

The money markets sense this, and are influencing opinion and changing minds by repeatedly publicising the massive opportunities investing in companies doing good research into THC, CBD, and the 100-plus other cannabinoids produced by the marijuana/cannabis and hemp plants.

As an example, look at these four companies doing great things to advance the science of cannabis – and in turn, hasten legalization…

GW Pharmaceuticals (Stock Market Symbol NASDAQ GWPH) Has FDA approval for CBD Epidiolex for rare forms of Epilepsy.

InMed Pharmaceuticals (OTC:IMLFF) is testing a recently discovered cannabinoid - Cannabinol (CBN) for Glaucoma

Tilray Inc. (Nasdaq:TLRY) is conducting Cannabis CBD & THC research at the McGill University Health Centre in Quebec.

Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB) Researching CBD’s effect on Athletes performance and recovery.

In many American states people already have access to cannabis products through local State legal outlets, or fringe Grey and wholly illegal black markets, and may wonder what will they notice different with full federal or national legitimisation? (Grey market? Unlicensed outlets selling legitimate cannabis products)

Well, here’s why -

Even though CBD Hemp products with less than 0.3% THC formulation are legal anyway, there is nervousness and lack of guidance shown by some law enforcement officials. A play it safe approach is taken - 'If it looks like cannabis and smells like cannabis, then it must be cannabis '- is the view of many law officials and they won't accept otherwise until there is Federal Government legalisation.

Also small independent would be start-ups in a Cannabis business can't get bank loans, because until there is federal legality the deposit and lending banks used by small businesses are banned from lending to businesses involved or connected to anything Cannabis. This means a lack of competition for the big corporations with cash reserves, or that can raise investment capital privately, or with share issues.

Similarly with medical Cannabis - (0.3% up to 10% THC content) to be prescribed by doctors to those with a qualifying medical condition for cannabis. Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe because many insurance companies won’t give cannabis medical cover until there is Federal legalisation.

Problems also exist for recreational cannabis (With up to 10% THC) for smoking, imbibing or vaping in states where it is legal. Until there is national legalisation the cannabis black and grey markets will continue to thrive, putting legitimate sellers, obeying all the rules and paying taxes, at a big disadvantage.

In 2018, a New Frontier Data market survey estimated there was over $86 billion in cannabis sales in North America, only $10.8 billion of which were legal.

Federal legalization, with clear regulations & enforcement, together with publicising the benefits to health, safety and tax revenues, of buying from safe, regulated dispensaries & legal markets, instead of shady outlets in dark alleys, would reverse those figures.

The tax income from $76 billion in legal sales would transform communities. That figure would be higher because more people would try Cannabis if they could trust and be totally confident in the products and markets.

So, there are many obstacles that Federal legalisation and enforcement will overcome and make genuine CBD & cannabis products more widely and safely available.

The present policy, that allows States to decide their own Cannabis laws, has led to the existing muddle that is – A right can of worms!

Cannabis – Is Nature’s NHS – Natural Health Source.