Ep 045 | The New World of Legal Cannabis

In November of 2016, California voters decided it was time to legalize marijuana for recreational use. On January 1st of this year, marijuana officially became available for anyone over the age of 21. Now legalization has opened up a whole new world. Today my guest is Lauren Watson, Marketing Communications Manager for Berkeley Patients Group, which is the Nation's Longest-Running Dispensary, to get some insight on what legal pot means for California. Address: 2366 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702 Phone: 510-540-6013             Social: @BPGTweet Getting Started Berkeley Patients Group (BPG) founded in 1999 by Jim McKlellen Early challenges Issues w/ federal government Stigma/ History Documentation of ancient pot use Used to be sold in pharmacies 60's counter culture movement 70's, War on Drugs waged against counter culture movement Advanced science of pot Prescription side effects Personal Background Started in high school Moved to the West Coast First dispensary experience Berkeley Patients Group Customer Experience Need a government approved ID to get in Consultants Most customers are there for medical treatments Vending machine Marijuana Emerald Triangle is where most products come from Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity Counties Indoor Products Working With Growers Distributor acts as a middle man Cannabis testing Berkeley has strictest testing standards CBD vs THC What does CBD stand for? How it is different from THC Different compounds besides CBD and THC Experimentation in Israel Other Products Flowers are the most popular Vape pens Edibles: vegan, gluten free, sugar free Low dose edibles Tinkters and Topicals Plants (limit 6 per person) Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid Marketing terms meant to help educate customers Sativa: Uplifting Indica: Sedative Hybrid: mix of both Medical Cards Not required Other protections After Legalization Huge jump the first 2 weeks Sticker shock from taxes Tax money Banking: Bank accounts getting shut down Credit unions for cannabis operations California only banks Safety concerns Day 1 Opened early on New Years Day Berkeley Mayor on hand for ribbo0n cutting Marijuana Myths Myth 1: Marijuana Kills Brain Cells Reefer Madness Campaign Science has debunked the claim Discourage teen/ adolescent use, can impact brain development Myth 2: Marijuana is Bad For Your Lungs Can protect your lungs Threat of irritation for heavy smokers Myth 3: You Cannot Become Addicted to Marijuana Not physically, more psychological 1 in 10 users develop a psychological addiction Addiction programs in Portugal Myth 4: I Can Smoke Wherever I Want in California Can't smoke in public, $75 fine instead of incarceration Myth 5: Marijuana is Sprayed With Pesticides Not a lot, standard control amount Illegal market marijuana carries higher danger Myth 6: You Don't Need a Medical Card Anymore You don't, but medical patients have access to better tax breaks and can grow more plants Myth 7: Marijuana Stays in Your System for 30 Days Depends person to person There are cleansers to get THC out of your system Hair samples last for 90 days Myth 8: It is Easier For Kids to Get Marijuana Now That It's Legal Teen use dropped in Colorado All dispensaries ID their customers Child proof packaging Myth 9: Marijuana Can Have a Negative Effect on Childbirth Healthy moms should not consume Rare cases where it could help, talk to your doctor No harm if dad smokes (unless mom says otherwise) Wrap Up/ Contact Information