The Medical Marijuana Delivery Service Start-up Guide Stacey Biro Copyright © 2014 Stacey Biro All rights reserved. Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Note that state, local, and federal marijuana laws are in constant flux, and therefore, the accuracy and validity of information, in whole or in part, contained in this guide may be rendered inaccurate at any time. It is recommended that you consult with an attorney before beginning any medical marijuana delivery venture. In no event should the author be liable for any personal or professional damages in connection with this guide. CONTENTS 1 Introduction......................................................................................8 About Medical Marijuana Delivery Services ............................10 States Covered in This Guide ....................................................10 State Medical Marijuana Cards and Possession Limits for Patients ...................................................................................................11 Cannabis Overview....................................................................13 Cannabis Delivery Systems .......................................................13 Smoking....................................................................................14 Vaporizing (“vaping”) ..............................................................14 Edibles ......................................................................................14 Tinctures ...................................................................................14 Pills ...........................................................................................15 Topicals.....................................................................................15 2 Cannabis Plants and Subclasses ....................................................16 Indica/Sativa crosses.................................................................16 Cannaboids ................................................................................16 Cannaboid Subclasses...............................................................16 About Marijuana Strains............................................................20 Strain Terminology...................................................................20 3 Business Plan.................................................................................22 Executive Summary...................................................................22 Market Research ........................................................................23 Competitive Analysis.................................................................24 Regulatory Restrictions .............................................................24 Management and Organization..................................................24 The Medical Marijuana Delivery Service Start-up Guide Products and Services................................................................24 Financial Projections .................................................................26 Marketing Plan...........................................................................26 Advertising ...............................................................................26 Marketing Strategy ...................................................................26 Communication Plan .................................................................27 Funding Request ........................................................................28 4 Business Setup...............................................................................29 Research the local ordinances for the area (s) ...........................29 which you plan to do business...................................................29 Determine the Organizational Structure for the Business .........29 CHOOSE AND REGISTER A BUSINESS NAME: ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA (OPTIONAL), NEVADA, OREGON, RHODE ISLAND.....................................................................................30 Where to Register Your Business Name ..................................30 Become a Licensed Caregiver: Maine.......................................30 Join or Set-up a Collective of Cooperative: California .............31 Submit an Application for a Grow License: New Mexico ........32 Set up a Medical Marijuana Dispensary: Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island ................................................................32 Arizona .....................................................................................33 Nevada ......................................................................................33 Oregon ......................................................................................34 Rhode Island .............................................................................35 5 Risk Mitigation and Awareness.....................................................37 Federal Marijuana Laws ............................................................38 The Medical Marijuana Delivery Service Start-up Guide For possession...........................................................................39 For Sales ...................................................................................39 Distributing to Minors (Excluding Medical Marijuana Patients) ..................................................................................................39 6 The medical Marijuana Patient......................................................41 Strain List..........................................................................................44 Marijuana Business Directory ..........................................................63 Accountants ...............................................................................63 Attorneys....................................................................................63 Edibles .......................................................................................63 Insurance....................................................................................63 Magazines..................................................................................64 Marketing and Design................................................................64 Seeds..........................................................................................65 Supplies & Packaging................................................................65 Websites.....................................................................................65 References.........................................................................................67 The Medical Marijuana Delivery Service Start-up Guide 1 Introduction November, 2014: As I write this book, 23 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) have legalized cannabis, or marijuana (the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant), for medical use. Four, Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. have legalized it for recreational use as well. At the Federal level, however, cannabis, in all its forms, remains illegal; its use, sale and distribution are prosecutable as a felony. The DEA classifies marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic, which, along with heroine and other hallucinogenic drugs, is deemed as having no medicinal value. Arguments against this classification have been publicized and promoted by marijuana activists, medical providers, and elected officials, but legalization at the federal level is still under debate. Several bills, including H.R. 499 H.R.499 - Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 which was introduced on February 5, 2013, have not been pushed through the senate. Recent headway into legalization, however, was made in August, 2013 when the Department of Justice released a memorandum stating that the federal government would not interfere with state laws regarding recreational and medical marijuana, so long as they did not interfere with their own eight enforcement priorities. In some states, however, local municipalities began creating bans on medical marijuana dispensaries, shutting down physical storefronts. Those dispensaries then began to rebrand themselves as marijuana delivery services. They are thriving in the midst of legislative ambiguity. Marijuana is the new green rush, and its newest customers are apt to be regular people, often with ailments, chronic illnesses, and injuries. They are willing to pay a higher premium for a quality product that is reliable and safe, and they want to ensure the transaction is legal. This book makes no provocations or judgment on the sales or use of cannabis, as either medicine or as a recreational drug. The Medical Marijuana Delivery Service Start-up Guide That is for our elected officials to work out. Instead, its focus is to help you work within the legal framework of your state when creating your medical marijuana delivery service business. The Medical Marijuana Delivery Service Start-up Guide ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA DELIVERY SERVICES Today’s medical marijuana delivery service is a professional organization with its own branding, web presence, and well-run sourcing and delivery process. Purveyors know their cannabis. From Arthritis to Zoster, they can recommend the right product for their customers’ unique needs and challenges. They deliver that product reliably and discretely, respecting their customers’ privacy at all times. Their product is of the best quality: fresh, with reliable effects and potency. As a purveyor, the potential rewards of opening a medical marijuana delivery service are great,