First medical marijuana school in Nevada opens

June 19, 2013 (Press-News.org) First medical marijuana school in Nevada opens

Article provided by Dean Y. Kajioka
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The Cannabis Career Institute just opened its Budtender Institute in Henderson, just south of Las Vegas. This opening comes in the wake of a bill being heard by the Nevada state legislature that would enable and regulate the commercial sale and distribution of medicinal marijuana in Nevada. Like many U.S. states, Nevada currently allows for the possession and use of small amounts of medically prescribed marijuana. However, federal laws are in opposition to possession of medical marijuana, making it difficult for individuals to follow state allowances.

Furthermore, while medicinal cannabis may be used in Nevada, it may not be sold commercially. Patients may grow up to seven plants at home but may only possess an ounce of medical marijuana at a time; however, a single mature plant can produce many ounces at a time. This set of conflicting laws may mean that even medical marijuana users who abide by state law could still face drug charges.
About the Budtender Institute

The school's aim is to teach a step-by-step method for starting a marijuana dispensary with a focus on the business and the legalities of such an operation. The school offers instruction on how to navigate laws on the cultivation and dispensing of marijuana in Nevada. In addition, the institute teaches students how to complete a variety of cannabis-related tasks, including learning how to grow the plants and process them into a usable product.
The dispensary bill and related statistics

The bill is based on a similar Arizona bill that allowed for the startup and regulation of marijuana dispensaries there. It is receiving support because there is no practical way for medical marijuana patients to commercially obtain the drug. With 3,500 people in Nevada holding medical marijuana cards and the number expected to grow tenfold if the bill passes, for the commercial availability of dispensaries could also bolster the state's economy.

According to the Nevada State Health Division, more than 91 percent medical marijuana cards have been given to individuals suffering from severe pain. About 1,000 new applications were received in the last nine months, and most applications have been accepted. This represents a large and growing population of medical marijuana users.
Getting legal assistance

As the legal environment surrounding medical marijuana continues to evolve in Nevada, it's important to be cognizant of those changes. For assistance unraveling what can and can't be done and to defend marijuana charges, enlist the help of a criminal defense attorney who understands the changing role of the law.