Medbox Pleased with Senator Patrick Leahy's Call for Congressional Hearings on Cannabis Laws

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Medbox, Inc. (OTC Markets: MDBX) (www.medboxinc.com), a leader in providing consulting services and patented systems to the medical and retail industries, announced their support of Senator Patrick Leahy's call for a Congressional hearing on the conflict between state and federal medical cannabis laws.

Congressional hearings are often a springboard for new legislation, and in the case of marijuana laws, would represent a turning point for federal policy.

"I believe that these state laws should be respected," said Senator Leahy. "It is important, especially at a time of budget constraints, to determine whether it is the best use of federal resources to prosecute the personal or medicinal use of marijuana in states that have made such consumption legal."

The Vermont Senator and Senate Judiciary Chairman invited Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Deputy Attorney General James Cole to testify at the September 10 hearing. Presumably expecting a large audience, Leahy has scheduled the hearing in the oversized room in the Hart Senate Office Building that is used for major events such as Supreme Court confirmations.

Leahy also released a letter to Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, seeking similar information.

"The Senate Judiciary Committee has a significant interest in the effect of these developments on federal drug control policy," Leahy wrote to Kerlikowske.

"Legislative options exist to resolve the differences between federal and state law in this area and end the uncertainty that residents of Colorado and Washington now face. In order to give these options full consideration, the committee needs to understand how the administration intends to respond to the decision of the voters in Colorado and Washington."

Dr. Bruce Bedrick, CEO of Medbox, Inc., commented that he is encouraged by the Senator's actions. "I believe that we are now at a tipping point, where the federal government may soon allow for the personal and medicinal use of marijuana in an open and regulated manner," he stated. "Our company stands ready to assist any legislative body by providing tools and expertise that will assure that every legal marijuana business is conducted transparently and compliantly."

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. Medbox has offices throughout the world, including New York, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Tokyo, London and Toronto, and has their corporate headquarters in Los Angeles.

Medbox provides their patented systems, software and consulting services to pharmacies, dispensaries, urgent care centers, drug rehab clinics, hospitals, prison systems, hospice facilities, and medical groups worldwide.

Medbox, Inc. is a publicly traded company, and is quoted on the OTC Markets, ticker symbol MDBX.

For more information on Medbox, please contact the Medbox Investor Relations Department at (800) 762-1452 or go online to www.medboxinc.com.

SOURCE Medbox, Inc.