{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/industry/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2146-markdown","title":"Celebrities that Support Marijuana","slug":"celebrities-that-support-marijuana","content":"### Celebrities are Stepping Up in Support of Marijuana\r\n\r\nMarijuana has long been a part pop culture through movies and music, but now celebrities are speaking out about their real world experiences with marijuana and advocating for legalization. The once taboo drug has found its way into acceptance throughout the United States, despite its continually federally illegal status, with majority of voting age americans in favor of legalization.  Marijuana was once represented in the media by stoner characters or drug lords, but now marijuana is being represented as commonly as alcohol. Actors, musicians, and other celebrities have now taken the conversation of cannabis off of the big screen and into the real world. \r\n\r\nDanny Glover spoke out in favor of Prop 19 in California, a marijuana legalization bill, and believed that the criminalization of marijuana was a draconian law. Celebrities from Snoop Dog to Susan Sarandon have talked about their varied experiences with marijuana. Miley Cyrus lit a joint on stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards and Alanis Morissette smokes marijuana to help her write her songs. What we must realize is that celebrities, though wealthy and in the spot light, are normal people who each use cannabis for a personal reason. These major stars are able to be a voice for the marijuana industry, allowing for a mainstream outlet for advocacy. There are five celebrities who have lead the charge for marijuana legalization, both medically and recreationally: Bill Maher, Whoopi Goldberg, Melissa Etheridge, the Dalai Lama, and Oliver Stone. \r\n\r\n### Bill Maher\r\n\r\nBill Maher has advocated for the legalization of marijuana periodically throughout his career, though he made his biggest gesture in support of marijuana when he lit up a joint on live television. On HBO’s Real Time, Bill Maher followed up a conversation about marijuana by smoking a joint to drive his point home that marijuana is not shocking or taboo anymore. Maher, who sits on the board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, believes that legalization has been blocked out by the financial sector, along with alcohol and pharmaceutical companies. He believes that the war on drugs is perpetuated by those who profit on it, and that the world would be a lot better off if marijuana was legal. Maher is still skeptical about the pace of change, however, because of all of the components working against legalization. \r\n\r\n### Whoopi Goldberg\r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5756ff04d113af000b000151/embedded_images/5756ff07d113af000b000152/whoopi_goldberg_enters_marijuana_industry.png) \r\n\r\nWhoopi Goldberg got her introduction into the marijuana community while seeking relief for glaucoma induced headaches. She began smoking marijuana, but after she stopped smoking cigarettes, she switched her delivery method to a vape pen. Goldberg has not been shy to share her opinion on cannabis and what it has done to help her, even writing a column in The Cannabist in 2014 describing her relationship with her vape pen. In her column, Goldberg describes the gentle relief she receives while using her vaporizer and how its discretion allows her to travel with her medication. Goldberg is now breaking into the cannabis industry in a new way by becoming a producer of medical marijuana products. She has teamed up with Maya Elisabeth, the decorated founder of Om Edibles out of California, to create Whoopi & Maya, a medical cannabis company which specializes in products to ease menstrual related symptoms.  The line includes topical products, as well as relaxing bath mixes. The idea behind the product line is for women to be able to apply the topical cannabis product to their abdomen throughout the day to ease cramping and be able to medicate their bath at night to relieve tension. The products in the Whoopi & Maya line will include both THC and CBD heavy products, creating a range of relief for different symptoms and preferences. Goldberg is hoping to help many women find relief during a time of the month that is often painful and can keep them away from their daily lives. \r\n\r\n### Melissa Etheridge\r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5756ff04d113af000b000151/embedded_images/575700858a98c7000b00015e/melissa_etheridge_supports_cannabis.png)\r\n \r\nMelissa Etheridge may be on of the most outspoken celebrities on the subject of marijuana. At the 2016 Women Grow Leadership Summit, a gathering of 1,400 cannabis industry professionals, Etheridge was the keynote speaker. She is passionate about the marijuana industry because she believed it was crucial in helping her through breast cancer treatment. During her bout with breast cancer, Etheridge used cannabis to help her with chemo related symptoms. Now she is on the march to make sure that others have access to medical marijuana and that it gains legitimacy. She believes cannabis needs to be viewed as a choice made by a responsible adult, not a criminal action. Etheridge believes that women like her are leading the charge to legalization because they are self aware, understand their bodies, and may not be viewed as a “typical marijuana user”. Etheridge believes in legalization across the board, so cannabis can be widely accessed. Etheridge plans on staying in the industry and continuing her advocacy. This year, the short film When Bright Lights Fade, in which Melissa Etheridge was the narrator, was released. It depicts the journey of five former NFL players, Jake Plummer, Nate Jackson, Charlie Adams, Tatum Bell and Reuben Droughns, using CBD to help ease their chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which effects 96% of former NFL players. The Realm of Caring Foundation has launched this short film and project as a whole to fundraise for a series of studies exploring how CBD could help players with CTE. Etheridge has also broken into the production side of the marijuana industry, launching her own line of cannabis infused wine tincture in 2015. \r\n\r\n### Dalai Lama\r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5756ff04d113af000b000151/embedded_images/5757008a8a98c7000b000160/dali_lama_advocates_for_medical_marijuana.png)\r\n\r\nThe current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, advocates for the use of medical marijuana. Though the Dalai Lama has never used marijuana himself, he thinks that there are clear pharmaceutical advantages to using the plant. The Dalai Lama, however, is strongly against the use of recreational marijuana because he sees it as something that could cloud the mind or judgement. He supports letting the medical community, both doctors and scientists, determine how marijuana can be best prescribed to help with particular ailments. \r\n\r\n### Oliver Stone\r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5756ff04d113af000b000151/embedded_images/575700888a98c7000b00015f/oliver_stone_says_marijuana_saved_his_life.png)\r\n\r\nDirector Oliver Stone claims that marijuana saved his life and his sanity while he was a solider in Vietnam. His personal experience with marijuana has made him a large advocate for the benefits  of marijuana, “When I was in Vietnam, pot made the difference between being a human and being a beast,” he said in an interview on CBS This Morning, “there were a lot of guys who were drinking and doing a lot of the killing that was so unnecessary…the guys who did dope were so much more conscious of the value of life.” He also praises the high quality of California cannabis, comparing it to California wine. He used his movie Savages to show the corruption and money that comes from marijuana being illegal, and how the system in place does not achieve what it hopes to. Stone hopes that the United States will soon wake up to the fact that keeping cannabis illegal no longer makes fiscal or moral sense. \r\n\r\nInterested in asking a question about this? Go to [HelloMD Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) and ask one of our doctors or community. \r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/4990953593/in/photolist-8B2WC2-8B62fb-8B62Ts-bMwRMi-4XU7XC-6YzfMC-7dXWG8-8B636G-9sLmsk-e5mm9q-4D49e8-bAarUV-8B62G1-5dz1K5-652bXM-qiLiN-aBLoXJ-qiJXf-645NFQ-qiLiK-aBLod5-8NQtND-aBHJyt-8B2W7M-83kWD2-4J6afF-5jwNCM-5jwNFF-t6FUz-t6FQX-8B2Vk4-4D8pC1-4D49UK-4D49tV-4D8q6q-652bRX-5jB6E1-5jwNPp-5jwNSc-qiLiQ-8ttYqG-6REySF-9DZQzr-5jwNy8-5jB6sN-4Yici8-5grQWw-qiLiP-eZ2An-5jwNUD)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAANCAIAAAAmMtkJAAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAADJElEQVQozwEZA+b8AKevtGlralRST0xQT0NFTD07Tj47TkNAVUlEWUpJYltea2toXFFSRjE4KR8oGx8oHCUsIB4mGxsjGyAkHACysrd3e31kZGFaXl8+O0c7NUhAPVBGQ1dNR1tPS2FTVnNXXFpERzUwOCciKx4fJx0oLyUtMSgmKiEhJRsA1cHCdnFuZ19WgXt1RT1KODBAQztPSkBaSj5eSDxcS0NrTExoQEM4NzsxLTMmKzAmMjUtOjsyODYvMzMqAIh4dVtMRlBAOGZZUjcuPCghMiYaKDEbIUYmI1MsI1IqIy0aHRMMESUhKltgXGhrZ2RmZTs7QDc1OzkxMQBzVEyXenFVRkEtJiwVDhktGRdiNSWVWj2vakbIflLIgVVvRy8QCBBUVFWSmJqTmJpfXGQsLDwqKjUyLDMA05qJp3tsOC0vCgQNRy0klWVMvX1evoNjtHtaz49tyI5uimhXTE1NbXBvbG5tWk5OPi0xMSk0NCw1PDE3AM6hl3ldWzgoI0EtKaJpT7N9Y8uQcuGmi+Kmidqdg+29ssCjm1JTTk1PS09FQEUwLUAvMDEnLjgoLDcnKADcqJOXeHQ4JR9uU0bBh2u4gGXAhmrXmX7ZmX68fmfNlIW+mY5TVVNTVFBLOTU+KScxISQuISYuHhwyHRkAgEw1akAuTSoae1lHiGFQo3FbvYdrxYVnxoVqvXpmw4FwnX1vTlNSUU1LPiooNSEgMB4eKxsbKhcTIBAMAIZxZqd/aqF2YLqCZJ10Y5trW6pyXbd5XMyIatCLd9WZiXpnXUVLS0pHRTYkIzIgHzchHC0aFiERDhgLCQDNy8vi3t7r6vDfzcnCk4KxgXGmbVmPXEulbVjKjHiuhnhERUI6Pjw8Pz00JyYtGhgnFRIYDAoPBwcPBgcAxrWxl5GTvb/D9v//oZultqerxopzqGpRlF1Jo3Jhe21uJigsLy4vLi4vNCkpJhUSFwwLHA8OHhAOCQQFANK6r4ducUhDR5COlS0vO4uRnujZ3siOeK1rTMaPdrGyvS45TC4uNjEtMjUuNDIrMh8SESQSECMQDywWDc26DnjAwazyAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/ee604/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.png","srcSet":"/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/69585/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.png 200w,\n/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/497c6/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.png 400w,\n/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/ee604/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.png 800w,\n/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/4e859/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.png 1013w","srcWebp":"/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/58556/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/61e93/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.webp 200w,\n/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/1f5c5/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.webp 400w,\n/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/58556/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.webp 800w,\n/static/6d076fb3c6dea7e3a35ed88c07d7dbfa/4589c/b72c3f580c01f5f7f5c01f6b70b4b31b.webp 1013w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2127-markdown","title":"The Green Rush: Legal Cannabis May Be Worth More Than Just Billions ","slug":"the-green-rush-legal-cannabis-may-be-worth-more-than-just-billions","content":"Over the last few years, cannabis has taken center stage in America as the market for legal cannabis sales continues to grow. A recent report demonstrates exactly how much this budding new industry is worth. The State of Legal Marijuana Markets, by [Arcview Market Research](http://www.arcviewmarketresearch.com/), combines new market statistics and paints a comprehensive picture of the cannabis industry in the US, as well as where we can expect it to be in the coming years. \r\n\r\nBelow we will examine the major findings of the Arcview report and the reasons behind the immense growth within the legal cannabis marketplace. More importantly, we will look at how the development of the cannabis industry will affect employment. \r\n\r\nIf you’re interested in becoming part of America’s fastest growing industry, make sure you attend [Join The Green Rush](http://jointhegreenrush.org/), California’s largest cannabis jobs fair, at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Saturday, April 30th. The fair will unite thousands of passionate individuals like yourself with leading cannabis companies, and feature a variety of guest speakers, workshops, and more. For more information on the job fair and the cannabis industry, visit the [JTGR website today](http://jointhegreenrush.org/). \r\n\r\n## Cannabis in The US: A Quick Look at The Industry\r\n\r\nIn its latest report, Arcview Market Research led an in-depth investigation into America’s cannabis industry. And the numbers are impressive.  \r\n\r\nArcview found that the market for legal cannabis sales in the US grew over 54% since 2014, and expects the cannabis industry to be worth $7.1 billion by the end of this year. But it doesn’t stop there. \r\n\r\nThe market is expected to experience similar growth over the coming years. Based on industry trends, as well the fact that more and more states are coming to challenge outdated policies that prohibit cannabis use, Arcview suggests that the cannabis industry will continue to grow at a steady rate of almost 30% per annum. By 2020, the industry is expected to be worth over $22 billion. \r\n\r\nArcview identified three main forces that are driving the exponential growth of legal cannabis markets in the US. Firstly, it points to the explosive growth of adult use sales over the last years, made possible by new legislation that legalized recreational cannabis use in states like Colorado and Washington. \r\n\r\nBetween 2014 and 2015, the number of recreational sales of cannabis and cannabis products grew over 230%, and they’re not expected to slow down. This year will see seven states vote to legalize cannabis for recreational use and develop complex regulatory systems that treat the substance much the same as alcohol or tobacco.\r\n\r\nThis will pave the way for the adult use market to further develop and mature, and Arcview expects recreational cannabis sales to dominate over 50% of the entire legal cannabis market by 2020. \r\n\r\nArcview also pointed to the growing change in social perceptions of cannabis and its role in our society as another driving force behind the immense growth of the industry. \r\n\r\nThe report showed that in 2005 only 36% of Americans supported the idea of completely legalizing cannabis and cannabis use. Now, over 57% of Americans are in favor of the complete legalization of cannabis, and over 80% believe it should at least be legalized for medicinal purposes. \r\n\r\nThese changes to the social perceptions of cannabis and its role in our society both as a medicine AND as a recreational substance are driving a political shift across the nation, encouraging people to challenge outdated policies of prohibition. Instead, they are pushing their state and local governments to reflect their changing personal views and opinions and legalize cannabis to some degree. \r\n\r\nThis has lead 23 states to legalize medical cannabis, and four states (and the District of Columbia) to allow recreational adult use. In turn, over 85% of Americans currently find themselves living in a state where cannabis is legal to some extent. \r\n\r\nThe Arcview report states that this trend will continue to grow, labelling 2016 as “the tipping point in which a majority of US states transition from cannabis prohibition to some form of regulated legal markets.”\r\n\r\nFinally, Arcview argues that Americans are beginning to see legalization as a genuine and effective alternative to prohibition, and that this is in turn giving the cannabis industry enormous potential for further growth. \r\n\r\nThe report argues that the success of legal cannabis markets in states like Colorado and Washington have shown the American public that legalizing cannabis can be beneficial, and that many of the fears of prohibitionists were unjustified. \r\n\r\n“The success of these markets [Colorado and Washington] has provided the first clear evidence that legalization is a viable alternative to prohibition, a fact based counterpoint to the argument that it is in society’s best interests to sustain the prohibition of cannabis,” the report states. \r\n\r\n“Crime is down, falling prices have made the legal market increasingly competitive against the black market, regulatory compliance is high as businesses dare not risk losing their valuable\r\nlicenses, and product quality and diversity has increased.”\r\n\r\n## Be Part of America’s Fastest Growing Industry\r\n\r\nThe Arcview report paints a glowing picture of the cannabis industry in the US. One aspect the report did not touch on, however, is how the growth of this new industry will affect the job market. \r\n\r\nBut it doesn’t take a lot of digging to realize that the development of the legal cannabis trade will create thousands of jobs in a variety of sectors. As new legislation paths the way for a sophisticated and well-regulated industry, cannabis companies will be looking for talented individuals to help their businesses develop. \r\n\r\nThe cannabis industry is still very much in it’s infancy; the substance was only legalized in Colorado and Washington in 2012, and while medical cannabis has been legal in California for almost two decades, the major legislation governing the regulation of legal cannabis was only passed in October 2015.\r\n\r\nHowever, we are already beginning to see the first signs of the new job market that the legal cannabis industry will help to nurture. \r\n\r\nWeedhire, an online job board for cannabis professionals, [reported](http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmajohnson/2015/01/16/need-a-job-the-weed-industry-is-hiring/# 6441dfc331f3) seeing an average of 70.25% growth in employment opportunities across four main sectors of the cannabis industry in January 2015. More recently, the Marijuana Business Daily [reported](https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-week-snapshot-cannabis-employment-growth-colorado/) that the number of marijuana-related occupational licenses issued in Colorado grew 68% between 2014 and 2015, showing that more and more people are seeking qualifications to help them land a career with cannabis. \r\n\r\nAnd you don’t have to rely on hard statistics to see the potential for yourself; a [quick search for ‘cannabis jobs’](http://www.indeed.com/q-Cannabis-jobs.html) on Indeed.com generates over 440 active job listings in a matter of seconds, calling for professionals to fill a variety of positions in a variety of sectors, including sales, marketing, retail, and even finance. \r\n\r\nAs the legal cannabis industry evolves to become more regulated and sophisticated, more and more cannabis companies will be looking for professionals to help them meet a growing demand for their products and/or services. So that, working with cannabis won’t just involve standing behind the counter at a local dispensary. \r\n\r\nThe employment opportunities are vast, with cannabis businesses looking for everything from sales representatives, research assistants, and account managers, to graphics designers, photographers, and even copywriters. And it won’t stop there. \r\n\r\nIn its report, Arcview suggests that 2016 will see the cannabis industry heavily integrate technology to better target young consumers. “With the millennial generation driving a large portion of cannabis market growth, technology is poised to have a major impact in overall industry evolution in 2016,” the report states.\r\n\r\nThis means that cannabis businesses will be looking into new ways of automating production, engaging with consumers, marketing their products and services, and much more. In doing so, these businesses will generate a high demand for talented, passionate teams to help them drive their operations. \r\n\r\nAnd you could be part of all the action. To kickstart your career in the cannabis industry, make sure you head to [Join The Green Rush](http://jointhegreenrush.org/), California’s largest cannabis jobs fair, at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Saturday, April 30th. \r\n\r\nDozens of cannabis companies from various sectors will be exhibiting their products and services, while simultaneously keeping an eye out for talented professionals to join their team. Best of all, you can attend the event for free. Follow this link to [get your tickets today](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-the-greenrush-cannabis-job-fair-tickets-22676416773), and use the promo code **BLOG** to secure your free entry. For more information on cannabis jobs and the cannabis industry, visit the [JTGR website](http://jointhegreenrush.org/) today. \r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":2,"src":"/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/7dac8/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.png","srcSet":"/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/69585/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.png 200w,\n/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/497c6/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.png 400w,\n/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/7dac8/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.png 780w","srcWebp":"/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/a6aca/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/61e93/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.webp 200w,\n/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/1f5c5/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.webp 400w,\n/static/68ebfe48a8ff21e7eb2eae07e081392f/a6aca/02024eef533c932f85d215c926999921.webp 780w","sizes":"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5382,"name":"Industry","slug":"industry","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}