Would you connect Microsoft with Marijuana?
As the world expects, we would witness a mighty expansion of the marijuana business in America in 2016. The $400 billion Microsoft has a connection too. More and more states are joining both the medical and recreational dope business. Thus, 25 states to date have approved medical marijuana and four states gave the green signal to recreational dope. In Colorado alone, combined sales came to $135 million in taxes and licenses last year. The money goes into the state’s education, law and drug abuse programs. The ensuing November presidential elections would further increase the marijuana reach in possibly five more states like California with its mighty economy, largest in America. A further six states have a similar agenda.
Yet Federal authorities have so far remained unmoved and consider all forms of the marijuana trade illegal and possibly a change is coming shortly. Under the present scenarios, the marijuana trade remains a tricky business.
The Microsoft impact
It was announced last week that Microsoft is teaming up with Kind, a Los Angeles based startup that wishes to promote the ‘seed to sale’ concept through software to assist entrepreneurs who wish to grow the stuff or conduct retail sales. Through the ‘seed to sale’ software, entities would manage their businesses at all stages. The software is aimed at those 25 states where marijuana is now medically legal.
Kind developed the software and the computer giant Microsoft will assist in the process. Microsoft is yet wary and does not associate itself with individual marijuana businesses. Yet it is clear that public perceptions are changing with 58% residents supporting a complete legalization. It is predicted that marijuana may become a $22 billion trade by 2020! That is rather tempting for entities to miss.
In addition to the Windows operating system, Microsoft has Azure that represents cloud computing that would facilitate the growth of the new business for ages to come. The venture suggests that marijuana could be far more profitable than the present grow and sell trade besides the marijuana infused edibles, drinks and vapes that are now selling avidly in the market.
That is not all. What about the related jobs and industries like tourism and marketing, and the banking and logistics sectors? Now we realize the true extent of an industry reaching for the sky.
The only hitch continues to be the Federal negative stance that could become a deterrent to some businesses unless laws are amended like it is expected to be. Some presidential candidates are in favor of such a change. Finally, we expect that marijuana would become a steady and safe long term investment as compared to the shaky present.
