Now, I know that I'm still looking for work and all, and prospective employers might even take a look at my blog as part of my background check, but I can't help getting excited about a store called weGrow touching down here on the East Coast! Why should I be nervous about a future employer reading about my excitement of a weGrow opening on the east coast? Well, weGrow happens to be a franchise that actually sells medical marijuana.....LEGALLY! The store has been dubbed the "Walmart of Weed", and is laying down roots in America's capital city, Washington D.C., which will, without a doubt; further the debate on marijuana, whether it be medical or otherwise.
That's right! Just a few miles from the White House and federal buildings, a franchise company that candidly caters to medical marijuana growers is opening up its first outlet on the East Coast. The opening of the weGrow store last Friday in Washington D.C. coincides with the first step in implementing a city law allowing residents with certain medical conditions to purchase pot. I think I'm suddenly coming down with something! Anyway, weGrow looks at itself as providing the necessary tools to pioneers of a 'green rush', which some project could reach nearly $9 billion within the next five years. The store houses towering shelves of plant food and vitamins, ventilation and lighting systems, garden products, how-to classes, books, and magazines on growing medical marijuana. To be honest, I've tried both and there really is no difference between medical and the fun stuff!
Although, federal law outlaws the cultivation, sale or use of marijuana, sixteen states and Washington D.C. have legalized its medical use to treat a wide range of issues from anxiety and back pain to HIV/AIDS and cancer related ailments. Fourteen states also have some kind of marijuana decriminalization law, removing or lowering penalties for possession. In 2010, nearly 17.4 million people admitted to using marijuana, which is up from 2007, where 14.4 million people admitted to using. A Gallup poll last year found a record-high of 50% of Americans saying that marijuana should be made legal while 70% support the medical uses for pot.
Just to get the story straight, weGrow does not sell pot or seeds to grow marijuana, but it don’t keep any secrets about its products and services to help cultivators grow their own pot plants for personal use or for sale at dispensaries. Selling hydroponic and other indoor growing equipment is legal, but because those products are used to cultivate a plant deemed illegal under federal law, the industry has tried to keep a low profile. Store founder, Dhar Mann opened the first store in Sacramento, California, last year. He said that he started his venture after he was kicked out of a mom and pop hydroponics store in Berkley just for mentioning marijuana. WeGrow has since opened locations in Phoenix, San Jose, and Flagstaff, Arizona, but Mann says that the company also has franchisees in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and he plans on expanding into Oregon, Washington state, and Michigan. It only costs $40,000 to start a weGrow franchise with a $150,000 minimum liquid capital. That's not a lot to open a franchise. Trust me, I have looked.
WeGrow sounds like an amazing business opportunity and amazing business period! According to Mann, medical marijuana cultivation and distribution is going to happen with or without federal government approval, and that is true! I'm suddenly feeling anxious! I think I might need to grow my own medical marijuana. 
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