Who can cultivate medical marijuana?
To prevent illegal drug operations from using medical marijuana as a front for their activities, only certain groups may grow and provide the drug. California law states that patients and primary caregivers may “associate within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes.” This has been interpreted to mean that only legally organized cooperatives (or “co-ops”) or collectives can provide medical marijuana. Further, neither of these organizations can sell the drug for a profit. They can, however, get “reimbursement” for the drug from members of the collective or co-op in an amount to cover operating and overhead expenses. Organizations turning a profit are one of the first indicators of an illegal operation. Other rules that apply to medicinal marijuana co-ops and cooperatives include: • They cannot sell the drug or buy the drug from non-members • Only qualified patients and primary caregivers may be members • Only qualified