LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Medbox, Inc.
(OTC Markets: MDBX) (www.medbox.com), a leader in providing
consulting services and patented medicine storage and dispensing
systems to the medical and retail industries, commented today on
the recently released study that suggests that legalizing medical
marijuana may actually reduce crime.
Researchers at the University of Texas at
Dallas looked at the FBI's Uniform Crime Report data across
the country, with special interest in the states that have
legalized medical marijuana. As reported by the Huffington Post,
the study counters concerns that legalization would lead to more
crime. These unfounded concerns have been simmering since the first
states approved medical marijuana nearly two decades ago, but this
study provides data to show that crime rates, particularly certain
violent crimes, actually decrease in areas with legal medical
marijuana.
"We believe that medical marijuana legalization poses no threat
of increased violent crime," Robert
Morris, the study's lead author, told The Huffington
Post.
Morris, associate professor of criminology, explained, "After
controlling for a host of known factors related to changes in crime
rates - we accounted for factors such as poverty, employment,
education, even per capita beer sales, among other things - we
found no evidence of increases in any of these crimes for states
after legalizing marijuana for medical use. In fact, for some forms
of violence - homicide and assault - we found partial support for
declines after the passing of this legislation."
Despite this evidence, many dispensary owners are concerned
about crime – an anxiety brought about by the fact that these
businesses mostly rely on cash payments, as most banks will not
honor credit card transactions used to purchase medical or
adult-use marijuana.
Brian Stowe, one of the first
licensees in the State of
Washington's newly legalized marijuana program, said he is
worried about crime. "It's straight up dangerous," Stroh told the
Oregonian News. "Anytime there is a known cash business, it puts
everyone at risk."
Medbox Vice-President, Matt
Feinstein, stated that city/state officials have asked
Medbox how to implement crime-reducing monitoring programs. In
response Medbox has now begun marketing state-of-the-art monitoring
programs to city and state governments.
"We have been approached by city governments to develop
city-wide software and hardware platforms to limit abuse and
strengthen oversight," he said. "One of the projects we are
actively developing is real-time systems for governments with zero
upfront fees for implementation to the cash-strapped cities and
states."
Management further commented that the systems would involve a
real-time biometric chain of custody and tracking solution from the
cultivation facility all the way to the point of dispensing. While
the exact specifics are being saved for a formal announcement later
this year, the system ensures that:
- physician authorizations are valid,
- dispensing limits are never exceeded,
- the correct patient is getting the medicine, and
- an unalterable transaction record is created so that taxation
can be tracked more efficiently.
Medbox has a patent pending on this complete system and a patent
issued on one of the key components as well.
"As a leader of this new industry, we have a responsibility to
offer solutions to cities and states so they can better serve their
citizens in a safe and risk-averse environment," stated Dr.
Bruce Bedrick, CEO at Medbox.
About Medbox, Inc:
Medbox is a leader in the development, sales and service of
automated, biometrically controlled dispensing and storage systems
for medicine and merchandise. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Medbox, through its wholly owned
subsidiary, Medicine Dispensing Systems, offers their patented
systems, software and consulting services to pharmacies, medical
dispensaries and local governments in the U.S. In addition, through
its wholly owned subsidiary, Vaporfection International, Inc.
(www.vaporfection.com), the company offers an industry award
winning medical vaporizer product.
Forward-Looking Statements: The statements in this press release
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal
securities laws. Such statements are based on our current beliefs
and expectations and are inherently subject to significant
business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies,
many of which are beyond our control. In addition, such
forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect
to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to
change. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, technical advances in the industry as well as political
and economic conditions present within the industry. We do not take
any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect
events or developments after a forward-looking statement was
made.
Medbox, Inc. is a publicly traded company, and is quoted on the
OTC Markets, ticker symbol MDBX.
For more information on Medbox, please contact (800) 762-1452 or
go online to: http://www.medbox.com.
Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Stephen Hart
Hayden IR
+1- 917-658-7878
hart@haydenir.com
SOURCE Medbox, Inc.