States that allow medicinal marijuana have experienced a sudden surge of applications for the opening of marijuana dispensaries. After eight years of police raids on marijuana dispensaries under the preceding administration, federal law enforcement under the Obama administration, has changed the course of marijuana enforcement by declaring it will no longer raid dispensaries that are in compliance with its own states laws and regulations concerning the medicinal use of marijuana.

Dispensaries are intended to provide for the safe sale and access of marijuana to patients who have received a medical recommendation for its use. In short, weed dispensaries are sprouting up anywhere and everywhere it's legal to do so. Currently, thirteen states have authorized the medicinal use of marijuana and are home to nearly eight hundred state licensed marijuana dispensaries. Dispensary medical marijuana sales are estimated to be more than a $1 billion dollar business.

For example, New Mexico, a medical marijuana state since May 2008, reportedly has over two hundred operating state licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Most of them are in full compliance with local and state regulations; other marijuana dispensaries, however, are not following the law and have been closed down and cited by New Mexico local law enforcement agents.

Given that they are filling a medical need for qualified patients with valid physician recommendations, most neighborhood dispensaries in New Mexico have been well-tolerated. This tolerance is bolstered by the fact that in communities that house medical marijuana dispensaries, there has been no evidence of any increase in crime or subversive behavior.

Marijuana dispensaries do not operate "underground." They are legitimate businesses that engage in marketing practices that include print advertising; Internet marketing; the use of coupons; free samples; and discounts for those who have served in the armed forces. They tend to carry a wide inventory, which includes many varieties of organic cannabis, hashish, edibles and extracts. Online directories are also appearing that provide information such as dispensary locations, prices, and types of available products.

Personal delivery is the newest service offered by many medical marijuana dispensaries in California, which is the state with the most dispensaries. Home delivery makes the process of obtaining marijuana even easier for patients who may not be well for travel. Although there has been some public criticism of the practice, law enforcement studies have shown that the existence of marijuana dispensaries has shown little effect on the communities that have them.

After years of risking possible incarceration as a result of federal raids, the change in policy by the federal government has resulted in an explosion of medical marijuana dispensaries. If you live in a state that allows medical marijuana, you must consult a doctor if you believe you have a legitimate medical need.