Chaos D.C.: Marijuana Becomes Legal Next Week Without Regulations

The District of Columbia’s recently passed voter Initiative 71, which legalized the growing, possession and use of cannabis in Washington DC, has nearly survived its one month congressional review and the recent law is set to take action within next week. Shortly, people 21 and older will be able to have up to two ounces of pot in there possession, cultivate six plants in their backyard, and give pot away to friends without risking the consequence of a law enforcement raid. Though, an article published Monday in The Washington Post stated “chaos” could burst in the beginning of legalizing marijuana because the federal government has halted the D.C. Council from experimenting with a regulatory system to structure the market from coming unhinged.

The issue, at least understood in the minds of some District lawmakers, is that while marijuana has reached legal stature in the backyard of the White House, there is sure  to be an rise in borderline black market dealings because the law does not come linked with regulations to accommodate consumers in the legal investment of marijuana. “Where can it be bought? Sold? Eaten? Smoked? We’re not going to have answers to any of that, and that makes me very concerned,” D.C. Council member David Grosso stated to the Post. “And as the consequences play out in the nation’s capital, he said, it could set back the entire movement: “Let’s be responsible about how we do this so we don’t have a negative image coming out.”

Unlike Colorado, marijuana users in the D.C. will not have the advantage of buying pot at a local marijuana shop. However, reports reveal that plans have already begun for marijuana clubs, which will give members with recreational cannabis for a yearly fee, although there are rumors that catered marijuana cuisine, paid for through donations, shall be provided throughout the city. Tiffany Bowden with Comfy-Tree, one of the organizers of a Marijuana Expo set to get initiated later this month on Capitol Hill, stated these types of businesses are only the starting point for the cannabis market in Washington D.C. “The District will be unique because you can’t technically sell cannabis directly,” she stated. “All that means is the traditional dispensary model as we know it will not happen. But that doesn’t mean the cannabis industry is going to be asleep. It’s actually going to be thriving in Washington.”

This off beat direction from the traditional model, like the system developed in Colorado, is what some assume will lead to Chaos inour nations capital – all due to Congress’ eagerness to interfere with the District’s cannabis laws. The concern is that industrious minds have read between the lines of the initiative and are getting ready to get a portion of the clearly  non-existent market share when the law comes to pass on February 26. According to the Post, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine is showing law enforcement how to go about  the new law, but there are still so many unanswered questions, especially in connection to marijuana consumption and the definition of “remuneration.” In fact, during a recent sit down with Mayor Muriel Bowser, Council member Grosso asked her what would happen to a person if apprehended from using pot outside of a “cannabis club,” and she was unable to give clear answer.

Interestingly, Initiative 71 was picked up to influence growing marijuana from home, and was in no way intended to be a stepping-stone to a retail marijuana market. However, while the capitals lawmakers are hurting in their attempts to establish a taxed and regulated cannabis market for at least the next year, it looks like entrepreneurs are gearing up to push the envelope of the law in order to capitalize on marijuana once it is officially legal… but will this prove toe chaos? Obstacles, possibly, but surely nothing beyond a reasonable answer.

4 ways cannabis is good for your brain — and may save your life

Current investigations are showing that marijuana extracts help to protect and benefit the human brain. Here are some ways scientists are revealing that marijuana actually helps to keep your brain safe from sickness, dementia and in some cases death

#4 – Cannabis promotes new brain cell growth

Government scare campaigns more times then not claim that cannabis kills brain cells, but now we are discovering the truth. Those studies in the ’70s were not given credit, by the use of strapping a gas mask on the mouth of a monkey and delivering hundreds of joints worth of marijuana smoke. The monkeys experienced lack of oxygen, and that was the cause of why their brain cells died.

Modern investigations are now showing the opposite. The main compounds in cannabis spur the development of new brain cells! Back in 2005, Dr. Xia Zhang at the University of Saskatchewan presented that cannabinoids cause “neurogenesis” – which is defined as they aid new braincell growth

“Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis,” stated Dr. Zhang. “Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis.”

Scientists in Brazil found more on this research, showing examples, in 2013 that CBD, another compound in cannabis, also causes new braincells to grow, Researchers in Italy then had the same conclusion with CBC, another “cannabinoid” found in marijuana resin.

Now there is no question that cannabinoids cause new brain cells to sprout up in the hippocampus. This helps explain prior investigations displaying that cannabinoids effectively help mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress – they are all in connection to a lack of adult neurogenesis.

#3 – Cannabis prevents Alzheimer’s

Close to 5 millions Americans are diagnosed  with Alzheimer’s. There could be light at the end of the tunnel. Modern analysis reveals that utilizing marijuana helps prevent the cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia by cleaning away beta-amyloid “brain plaque.” A  study conducted about cannabis and Alzheimer’s was headed by Dr. Chuanhai Cao, PhD, a neuroscientist at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute. “THC is known to be a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective properties,” said Cao, explaining that THC “directly affects Alzheimer’s pathology by decreasing amyloid beta levels, inhibiting its aggregation, and enhancing mitochondrial function.”

This proved earlier research, for example research from 2008 which discovered that THC “simultaneously treated both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.” This study relate was, “compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, THC is considerably superior.”

These investigations used very low levels of THC to find these answers – the levels you might find in a marijuana user that doesn’t smoke often. So where are the headlines displaying “Smoking Cannabis Prevents Alzheimer’s”?

#2 – Cannabis prevents brain damage after strokes and trauma

Multiple recent investigations have discovered that cannabinoids defend the brain from permanent damage after severe medical conditions. Research found in 2012 and 2013 showed that a low dose of THC give protection to mice’s brains from suffering by carbon monoxide and head injuries. Researchers show that THC “protected brain cells and preserved cognitive function over time” and influenced the idea that it could be used preventively, for ongoing defense.

Research in 2014 found that people with low amounts of THC in their body were near 80% less likely to die from major head trauma than those without. This last study is really quite phenomenal and should have been headline in the news. Scientist analyzed blood samples from hundreds of people who had suffered head trauma, and discovered that people with small amounts of cannabinoids in their system were 80% less likely to be killed from head injuries.

This means that in a group of occasional marijuana users and a group of abstainers who have similar brain injuries, the marijuana users will have only 2 deaths for every 10 suffered by the whodo not use marijuana. There are 52,000 fatalities every year from traumatic head injury in America. This investigation showed that if every adult American had a pull of marijuana once a week, 20% of those deaths would not occur  – that’s close to 41,600 people that could be saved, every year.  Still this hasn’t made front page news?

#1 – Cannabis extracts treat brain cancer

One interesting use of cannabinoids is in the aid of cancer treatment. Repeated laboratory and animal research have discovered that cannabinoids eliminate cancer cells and shrink the size of tumors, while aiding to defend normal cells. New information involves a 2012 study displaying that CBD blocked metastasis in aggressive forms of cancer,  a 2013 investigation showing that a mix of six cannabinoids eliminated leukemia cell, and a 2014 study revealing that THC and CBD could be mixed with traditional chemotherapy to produce “dramatic reductions” in brain tumour size.

Using marijuana extracts for brain cancer is nothing that hasn’t been known to the medical world. Research in 1998, found that THC “induces apoptosis [cell death] in C6 glioma cells” – an aggressive type of brain cancer. A 2009 study dave details stating that THC acted “to kill cancer cells, while it does not affect normal cells” in the brain. The medical advantages of cannabis and cannabinoids are infinite, and we are in a day and age where everyone is allowed full access to this wonderful healing plant. You never know? One day maybe we will even get to use outdoor-grown cannabis to develop vast quantities of pure, cost efficient cannabinoids for the millions of people across the nation who need them.

By Michael Berger

Players Network Inc. (PNTV: OTCQB), is a diversified holding company that is focused on two primary industries, media and medical marijuana. PNTV offers investors the opportunity to invest in a diversified cannabis company that is levered to the legal Nevada marijuana market. PNTV is a one of the only fully reporting companies that has received a license to cultivate and process cannabis. This fact gives us a sense of confidence that PNTV is one of the more legitimate OTC traded marijuana stocks.

Entrance into the marijuana space

In late July, PNTV formed Green Leaf Farms Holdings, Inc. The company used Green Leaf to enter the legal medical marijuana industry and apply for a medical marijuana dispensary in Nevada. A few months later, Green Leaf’s application was approved by the state of Nevada for an edible extraction facility. The facility will be located on a 3.2 acre piece of property purchased by Green Leaf. The land which they purchased is able to support a 70,000 square foot facility which will easily be able to satisfy demand. PNTV owns 80% of Green Leaf Farms Holdings with the remaining 20 percent held by key advisors and experts.

The company is working diligently to hopefully commence operations by mid-2015. These operations will provide PNTV with a source of revenue that will enable the company to continue to grow and invest in profitable business ventures. The company believes that the facility can generate $12 to $14 million in annual revenue in its first year of operation. They expect total revenue generated by the facility to increase year over year as demand grows.

Unique business model can create synergies for their two business units

PNTV is also actively involved in the media industry through their proprietary channels. This offers the company another source of revenue, and free exposure for their marijuana business. The company will use WeedTV.com, one of their proprietary channels to increase exposure for Green Leaf. This channel also generates revenues through advertising, cross selling with other companies and premium membership subscriptions.

The company has a unique advantage that makes them an interesting play in the cannabis space. PNTV is able to utilize their two businesses units to create synergies for each other and increase total revenues. These revenues will lead to higher margins, which will improve the company’s bottom line if they are able to execute on their business plan.

Strong management team

PNTV has been around since the early 1990s and they have created many strategic relationships that strengthen the company’s footprint. The company’s CEO and founder, Mark Bradley founded Players Network in 1993 and has served as CEO since the company’s inception. Bradley has been a producer/director at United Artists, and was studio manager and postproduction supervisor with United Cable Television in Los Angeles, engaged in the production, packaging and syndication of television and film productions for such media venues as HBO, Nickelodeon and MTV.

The company’s Chief Creative Officer, Michael Berk, is a prolific writer, producer and director with over three hundred hours of television programming to his credit. Berk created and Executive produced “Baywatch,” the most popular series in television history, and is currently producing a large-budget “Baywatch” feature film for Paramount.

Leslie Thomas is the marketing and operations manager for PNTV. Thomas works directly with major media outlets, including: Comcast Communications, DirecTV, AT&T, Verizon, and TivoCast, as well as multiple broadband sites.

The marketing and licensing advisor, John Raczka, has a proven track record of success in driving revenue growth in the linear, interactive and gaming entertainment sectors worldwide.

Edward Sullivan serves as the company’s media, branding, and marketing advisor. Sullivan has overseen the brand & marketing efforts for over 50 launches and re-launches of major media companies including: CBS, ABC, FOX, Discovery Networks, Turner Broadcasting, HBO and Disney cable networks.

Doug Miller serves on the board of PNTV and brings over thirty years of hands-on operating experience to the Players Network Board. Focusing on high growth start-up and turnaround companies, Mr. Miller participated in leading four companies to IPO´s. Mr. Miller holds a B.A. from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from Stanford University.

Outlook

PNTV’s entrance into the medical marijuana market offers a lot of upside to current estimates, however the stock has not reacted favorably to this. PNTV is down over 10% since early November even though the story has improved. Technical420 thinks that the company has the potential to be player in the cannabis industry due to their unique business model and the synergies that can be created between Weed TV and Green Leaf Farms Holdings. However, the current trading pattern of PNTV keeps Technical420 on the sidelines until an upward price trend is formed, or until positive guidance is released regarding their Nevada operations.