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President Ben Fisher opened the meeting while standing at the podium. He is recovering well from his knee surgery. The meeting was held at Hillel with a Zoom connection for remote access.
PP x2 Steve Day was today’s greeter, PP Ed Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance, and PP Mark Rogo read the 4-way test. There was no song of the day because PP Ed Gauld was not present, and PP Ed Jackson declined to be a substitute song leader even though the man can sing.
For the thought of the day, Jim Crane discussed the Rotary 4-way test which provides ideas one can adopt. It was developed for the workplace, but also applies to national and international situations. It concerns justice, and peace is not attainable without justice. Projects to promote justice include the eradication of diseases such as polio and instruction to increase literacy.
Lynn Rogo introduced Nurit Gery who is the cofounder of the Younited International School in northern Israel. (It was previously named the Givat Haviva International School.) The school has numerous sponsors from businesses, religious organizations, and other organizations including the Westwood Village Rotary Club and the Rotary Foundation.
Nurit Gery has a pharmaceutical background and worked in the industry, but she decided after a number of years to change careers and started the international school in Israel.
The high school is a co-ed boarding school which prepares students for the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program). This program provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education institutions. In addition to traditional studies such as language arts, math, and science, the school offers courses about individuals and societies. The purpose of the school is to demonstrate to the world that people from different religions and backgrounds can work together. The goal is to develop a network of leaders who will work toward a just and peaceful future.
The students may have a roommate from a different country and often from a different religion. They listen to each other, and many have become friends. Three students from diverse backgrounds participated in the meeting via zoom and described their positive experience at the high school.
The school with 150 students is made up of 25% Jews from Israel, 25% Arabs from Israel and the rest from all over the world but mostly those from conflict areas.
President Ben Fisher introduced today’s speaker
Zeeshan Hyder who happens to be Ben’s neighbor.
Zeeshan Hyder is the CFO of Holistic Industries (legal cannabis) and has worked in the cannabis industry for 7 years. Cannabis (marijuana) was originally from Asia and is now legal in many states. Some states allow only medical use, others allow all usage including recreational, and a few states have an outright ban. In some states where cannabis may be legal, it may still be illegal at the local level. When legal, it is sold in stores and dispensaries identified by a green cross. California has about 900 stores, mostly in larger cities.
Ballot initiatives have been introduced to legalize cannabis. An initiative to legalize cannabis is currently on the ballot in a few states, including Florida. In 1996 California was the first state to legalize cannabis for medical use. In 2012 Washington and Colorado were the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use. In 2016 California’s proposition 64 allowed recreational use. Most states now allow medical use of cannabis.
Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, but this may change. If it is legalized nationwide, then the federal government would levy a federal tax. It is currently labeled a schedule 1 substance at the same level as heroin. There is a movement to reclassify cannabis to schedule 3 which includes medical use.
Major commercial banks currently will not lend to cannabis businesses, but local banks may lend money. Because cannabis is not legal on a national level, tobacco companies have not become involved because it would affect their participation in the national stock exchanges. There is no listing on stock exchanges for banned substances which have a schedule 1 status, but schedule 3 substances are allowed.
Cannabis is a $25 billion industry which may grow to $100 billion. The price of officially dispensed cannabis currently includes taxes at the state and local levels, but there are still illicit sales which may have lower prices due the lack of taxes. Businesses pay state and federal taxes on their profits.
Cannabis may be grown outdoors, in a greenhouse, or indoors. An indoor product with a controlled environment may be of the highest quality. It takes longer to grow it outdoors. Germination takes 2-3 weeks, leaves appear in 3-16 weeks, and flowers emerge in 8-11 weeks. Northern California has a favorable climate for the cultivation of cannabis.
There are various ways to consume cannabis:
- Recreational use (about 90% of usage)
- Smoking, vaping, pre-rolled
- Edibles – chocolate, gummies, beverages
- Note: Studies indicate that cannabis usage is not a gateway to heavier drug use. However, there are issues of residual health effects and impairment when driving or operating machinery.
Medical and other use (often for relieving pain)
- Oral – capsules, tinctures, concentrate
- Topical – lotion, oils, creams (may be used post-surgery)
Issues surrounding cannabis:
- Federal legalization
- Interstate commerce
- Distribution in mainstream retail environments
- E-commerce
- Future development of synthetic cannabis.
General notes about cannabis:
Cannabis consists of hundreds of chemical compounds. Cannabinoids include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which provides a “high” when using cannabis. CBD is cannabidiol. Cannabis and hemp are scientifically the same plants, but hemp has a minimal amount of THC and is used to create commercial products such as rope, paper, etc.
Even some vegetables such as broccoli contain cannabinoids at a very low level.
This was an informative discussion. Cannabis is not just for recreational use, but also has important medical applications.
The meeting was adjourned promptly at 1:30 p.m.
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