MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROPONENTS SEEK TO CULTIVATE UNDERSTANDING AT
SEMINAR IN KALAMAZOO

KALAMAZOO -- Medical marijuana experts from around the United States
and the local vicinity will be in Kalamazoo this weekend to discuss a
wide variety of topics related to what organizers call
"Cannabusiness."

The two-day "Science and Compassionate Care Seminar," put on at the
Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in downtown Kalamazoo by 420 University,
will feature several workshops on a wide variety of medical marijuana
issues, from how to properly cultivate marijuana plants to the
therapeutic value of the drug to understanding Michigan's medical
marijuana law.

William Beaton, president and chief executive officer of 420
University, said that Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit were considered
as sites for the group's first-ever seminar, but Kalamazoo was chosen
"because of the diversity of the community."

The seminar is being streamed live over the Internet, and Beaton has
received word that groups will be watching it in Egypt, Argentina,
Taiwan, Spain, Russia and other countries. Space for 250 people is
available at the seminar itself, with about 150 tickets left.

"This is about the true medical science of medical marijuana," Beaton
said. "There's a lot of people who don't understand the true benefits
and it's important that we have opportunities for education."

Under the state's medical marijuana law, registered caregivers can
grow up to 12 marijuana plants for up to five registered patients
each, for a maximum of 60 plants per caregiver.

Since April 2009, when the law went into effect, the state agency that
handles requests for medical marijuana identification cards for
patients and caregivers has been deluged with applications.

As of June 25, the Michigan Department of Community Health has
received nearly 38,000 new or renewal applications and issued 20,548
patient ID cards and 8,905 caregiver ID cards.

Medical marijuana advocates point to the backlog of applications -- the
state is currently reviewing applications received at the end of
February -- as evidence that medical marijuana use is growing in
Michigan and the need for education on the myriad issues surrounding
it is crucial to the program's success.

Eleven members of the national medical marijuana movement will speak
at the seminar, including Robert J. Melamede, president and chief
executive officer of Cannabis Science Inc. and a leading authority on
the medical efficacy of marijuana, and Michael Lerner, founder of Kush
Magazine and DailyBuds.com and an expert on medical marijuana who has
appeared on CNN, NBC, CBS and several other media outlets to lend his
knowledge of the drug's medicinal use.

According to 420 University's Web site, the seminar is geared toward
medical or legal professionals looking to boost their knowledge of
medical marijuana issues, individuals starting a career in
compassionate care, patients seeking relief and entrepreneurs or
advocates "looking to get the facts straight and cut through the
stereotypes."

Kalamazoo criminal defense attorney John Targowski, who has litigated
several medical marijuana related cases locally, will also be a
speaker, educating those who attend the seminar on Michigan's medical
marijuana law and the protections it provides patients and caregivers.

"There will be a lot of useful information discussed," he said. "There
are a lot of misconceptions out there. It's helpful to get people
together, get them out of the closet, and talk."

Paw Paw resident Greg Francisco, executive director of the Michigan
Medical Marijuana Association, isn't involved with this weekend's
program, but supports its mission.

"These programs fill a niche," he said. "Obviously there's a need out
there."

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IF YOU GO

420 University's "Science and Compassionate Care Seminar"

When: Saturday and Sunday

Where: Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, 100 W. Michigan Ave., in
downtown Kalamazoo.

Cost: $295 for standard two-day ticket, $245 for veterans or civil
servants and $150 for students.

More info: For more information or to buy tickets, visit
www.420university.com