Medbox, Inc. Issues Cease and Desist Order Against Company That Purports To Have Created Medical Marijuana Dispensing Machine
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Medbox, Inc. (Pinksheets: MDBX) (www.medboxinc.com) commented today on the press release distributed last Friday by Dispense Labs, LLC, a company purporting to have created a "first of its kind" medical marijuana dispensing machine. This company, which is affiliated to a medical marijuana sales center named "The Dispensary Store" conducted several news interviews extolling the benefits of its "proprietary" machine.
As the story was being reported, Santa Ana police quickly shut down the illegally operating dispensary affiliated to Dispense Labs, LLC. ABC Local news reported that "Santa Ana Police are cracking down on numerous dispensaries in the city, including this one. The business was cited Friday afternoon and has shut down for now."
"There is a complete ban on marijuana dispensaries in the city of Santa Ana through our municipal code," said Santa Ana Corporal Anthony Bertagna.
In addition, last Tuesday Dispense Labs, LLC was served with a cease and desist notice by Medbox, Inc. for violating its federal patent (7,844,363 B1) pertaining to technology Medbox, Inc. developed more than 5 years ago. The letter warned the violators as to the penalties for criminal infringement as described in Title 18, section 2319 of the U.S. Code and range from imprisonment of one to ten years, plus fines, depending on the willful nature of the violation. Amongst those being named in the cease and desist order are Joe DeRobbio, CEO and founder of "The Dispensary Group", Dispense Labs, LLC, and The Dispensary Store.
Medbox, through its subsidiary companies, have been featured in over 30 news interviews dating back to 2007 involving the machine's positive implications on the medical marijuana industry.
Medbox believes the cease and desist order is imperative as Dispense Labs is tarnishing the image of the technology. Medbox has spent the last 3 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars on lobbyists in multiple States in order to set the proper stage for these machines and appealing to state and local authorities as to the system's benefits. Currently, the Medbox machines are being used in many Alternative Health Centers that dispense marijuana nationwide. Recently, Medbox technology received an endorsement in Colorado's new House Bill (HB1043) concerning medical marijuana.
"They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but when a patent is involved it's just plain criminal," stated Dr. Bruce Bedrick, CEO of Medbox, Inc. "Our company's founder developed this technology years ago for use in the medical marijuana industry as a compliance tool. Dispense Labs has misled the media into the false belief that this is a new concept Dispense Labs created. We will be prosecuting these willful violators to the fullest extent of the law."
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, Tokyo and Toronto, and has their corporate headquarters in Los Angeles.
Medbox provides their patented systems, software and consulting services to pharmacies, urgent care centers, clinics, hospitals, and medical groups worldwide.
Medbox, Inc. is a publicly traded company, and is listed on the OTC Board, 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.
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