17 Jun Microsoft Announces Entry into Cannabis Industry

In a move seen by many as a major positive for the burgeoning cannabis industry, Microsoft has publicly announced a partnership with a software company in the space. That company, Kind, has developed software that helps state governments track growers’ and sellers’ compliance with their rules. Microsoft will work with them on that venture. Kind has other products including an ATM-type device to buy pot. As the New York Times reported today, one advisor was thrilled to see such a major company “come out of the closet” regarding their involvement with cannabis. Others, like Oracle, have entered but done so quietly.

It is certainly a challenge for major companies to announce they are potentially aiding and abetting a federal crime. But for so long as the Feds take the position they have, that they will not seek prosecution of those properly abiding by state cannabis laws, it seems OK for big companies to put a few toes in. And the future? At least 4 states will vote on recreational marijuana this year, including The Big Kahuna, California (ok one could argue the Kahuna should be Hawaii but give me some license here). Both Presidential candidates say they favor at least medical marijuana.

The article notes that industry revenues could grow from $4.8 billion last year to $6.5 billion this year. And maybe as big as $25 billion by 2020, especially if CA approves. And the research potential for treating and possibly even curing certain illnesses remains huge if the DEA re- or de-schedules marijuana from Schedule I. So the industry builds one giant company at a time…