KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in Kansas rallied at the statehouse in Topeka Friday morning. The rally was led by State Senator David Haley (D-WYCO), who wants the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare to hear a bill he filed in 2013 legalizing the use of medical marijuana.
To this date 20 states including the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, while Colorado and Washington have also legalized it for recreational use. As support for legalizing it grows, a Kansas City, Mo., software company is poised to cash in on the pot craze.
Agrisoft is headquartered out of Two Pershing Square. The company sells software to those businesses investing in marijuana grows to help track marijuana plants from seed to sale. Every plant is given a bar code and a biometrics security system ensures employees don’t steal the cannabis.
“Voters are concerned that this is going to get in the hands of children or people who might abuse it,” said Charles Ramsey, CEO of Agrisoft. “What they really need is software to make sure the right people are getting the medicine and using it responsibly.”
Industry reports put sales of medical marijuana around $2.3 billion in 2014. That’s a lot of tax revenue for the state’s that have legalized it. Agrisoft’s software ensures states get the proper share of the profits.
“It can make a huge difference to a state’s budget,” Ramsey said. “So as Colorado and Washington state really benefit from this, you’re going to see other states follow suit.”
Ramsey believes it is “inevitable” that every state will pass laws legalizing medical marijuana. It’s definitely the green rush, the gold rush of the 21st century. I think the states are going to accept it provided they can ensure it is being done correctly, that it is regulated, that it is being tracked.”
Those against legalizing marijuana argue that drug abuse contributes to an increase in domestic violence, child abuse and crime. Supporters, though, argue that by legalizing marijuana, it will be free up police officers and the justice system to prosecute more violent criminals.
“It’s exciting for some and it’s a little scary for others,” Ramsey said, “but it’s what we’ve built here that eliminates that fear and really allows the regulators, the states, to feel secure. If they approve this, it is going to be tracked. They can ensure revenue is collected and that they don’t have any problems.”
