George Soros And Big Agriculture Move The Marijuana Movement

Billionaire George Soros was the main supporter behind the legalization efforts in Uruguay. The Philanthropist and one of the wealthiest in the legalization movement, has quite a vested interest in Monsanto. On his 2013 NASDAQ Top Ten stocks, it showed 0.62% of his portfolio are shares of Monsanto. Soros currently owns over 632,000 shares of Monsanto, valued at over $75,000,000. Since 1984, Soros put in over $80 Million of his own money, funneled through the Drug Policy Alliance and his network of other nonprofits, towards marijuana legalization efforts. Monsanto was the first biotech firm to establish offices in Uruguay after legalization of marijuana. Monsanto denies any involvement in the area of GMO marijuana research on their website, yet there are rumors that Monsanto has already patented medical marijuana, or are attempting to do so in Uruguay. In the US, George Soros has been behind almost every state initiative and legalization effort in the last year with his organizations and donations, as seen in a Washington Times article.

A German Researcher, William Engdahl, states that Monsanto is already underway with patenting in Uruguay. Since a plant cannot be patented, major pharmaceutical companies in 1990 began discussing the need to look further into genetic modification. Bayer and other pharmaceutical agencies, including Monsanto, all agreed to sharing access to each other’s data technology. Engdahl concluded that, to secure profitable patents, genetic engineering would be required. The collusion of the bio-techs and pharmaceutical firms supports this conclusion.

The Daily Bell Reported:

Now the cycle has apparently turned. Monsanto, under attack regarding its GMO seeds, may need a new market to re-establish credibility and even popularity – as marijuana will surely prove a more welcome crop than soy in the public mind. Monsanto’s efforts as regards marijuana in Uruguay may be helped by the overwhelming government involvement in the cultivation, sales and marketing of marijuana. With its talent at bending smaller governments to its will, Monsanto may find a significant opportunity in Uruguay to establish an even more aggressive business beachhead. There is no doubt that the Uruguayan government will dominate marijuana production, at least in the short term.

The US holds a patent on medical marijuana, raising debate as to the restrictions on use as well as its legality. But, an individual inventor is about to add a medical marijuana patent. From the Denver Post: A self taught man, scientist, engineer and seed breeder is working on a strain and will potentially hold the first patent on a cannabis strain, named Otto II. It uses low THC and high CBD. His video can be viewed in the above article link.

In addition to Monsanto and its possible future projects here and abroad, a subsidiary of another chemical corporation, Scott, by the name of Hawthorne Gardening Company, just bought two very large marijuana distribution centers in Santa Rosa, California. General Hydroponics is the leading provider, if not the largest provider, of marijuana for Colorado. According to a Scott’s spokesperson, the estimated sale price was around $130 Million, making the acquisition the biggest deal for the company in 16 years. It was stated that the exact terms were not disclosed, but the acquisition should position the company in the growing marijuana market. Scott’s is best known for Miracle Grow, which has licensed product variations that include Monsanto’s Roundup. Scott’s also has a sordid history of pesticide violations, and has been found guilty in US courts with a ‘record violation” with mislabeling products with carcinogens.

It looks like the tide is turning in many business ventures and endeavors. Opening up wider to bio-agricultural corporations. Big money, business, pharmaceuticals and big agricultural business interests are pointing in the direction of something that should and could be beneficial, and making it into yet another profit venture.

A recent state Medical Marijuana issue failed last year in Florida’s election to place medical marijuana in the State Constitution. Amendment 2 failed by 2%. George Soros and Millionaire Attorney John Morgan put forth 80% of the money through Morgan’s United For Care- People United For Medical Marijuana Campaign- for the legalization and regulation of medical marijuana. From the petition:

(1) The medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient or caregiver in compliance with this section is not subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under Florida law. (2) A physician shall not be subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under Florida law solely for issuing a physician certification with reasonable care to a person diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition in compliance with this section. (3) Actions and conduct by a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center registered with the Department, or its agents or employees, and in compliance with this section and Department regulations, shall not be subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under Florida law.

Granting immunity and not being “subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions” should be concerning as to who would be held accountable possibly due to bad regulation, such as a caregiver or home health company. Many home bound, disabled and elderly had expressed concern over not having total access to medicine on their terms under strict regulations.

We can not allow protecting Monsanto, or any other organizations, doctors, or treatment centers to be exempt from any litigation, harm, or liability against its products or services. Each and every state must resist any overreach by the government in regulating marijuana. If you cannot cultivate your own, it is not legal; it is regulated, controlled and manufactured by the government or corporations with questionable records. People should be given the option of which they choose to use and buy as medicine, as well as how often. Organic or not, you should be able to have that choice. States and countries that are considering true legalization (or repeal of prohibition as a better term) should be for home cultivation, less government regulation, and maintaining their rights as a citizen to hold someone accountable, should they be harmed by any who grow, distribute or regulate it.