This Disruptive Technology Will Help You Win the Drug War

Disruptive technology may sound a bit scary to those unfamiliar with the term, but in reality, it has made our lives much easier in myriad ways. Simply put, digital disruption is innovation that displaces or replaces existing technologies — Netflix being one of the most notable. Email, cloud computing, cell phones, and even the first personal computer are all examples of disruptive technologies.

Making daily life more convenient and enjoyable is certainly a positive thing, but a new company called Leaf has taken it a step further by launching a product that has the potential to make lives not only easier — but safer.

One of the greatest threats to the safety and freedom of American and international citizens is the global War on Drugs. Experts all over the globe have condemned the crusade as “discriminatory against racial and ethnic minorities and women, and [have] undermined human rights,” according to a report on global drug policy commissioned by Johns Hopkins Ivy League and the Lancet, a British medical journal.

Americans are also coming to question the war on drugs, most especially marijuana.

According to TechCrunch:

While public opinion on the matter may be shifting toward being more open to legalization — a YouGov poll released earlier this month showed that 55 percent of those surveyed supported legalizing marijuana, with more Republicans supporting legalization than not — only 25 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical or recreational marijuana use.

One of the best ways to combat this war is to provide a safe way for individuals to privately and securely grown their own cannabis, and that is exactly what Leaf aims to accomplish.

The startup announced the details of the Leaf Grow System just last week:

[It is] an automated device that helps consumers of all skill levels grow their own medical marijuana from the comfort of their home. Leaf is the size of a miniature refrigerator, at 24 inches deep, 24 inches wide and 60 inches tall, and features precise temperature and humidity control, automatic nutrient dosing and a drying mode that helps get your plant consumption-ready — and it’s all controlled through a smartphone app with easy step by step video instructions to help even the most novice of growers. In addition, Leaf features a smell-preventing carbon filter to minimize or even eliminate odors, an advanced BIOS LED light system and an optional water hookup for automatic water changes.

Boasting $2 million in funds raised, the company has not announced a final price for the home-growing system but confirmed it will be ready to order this fall. Considering the DEA decided this week to keep cannabis scheduled as one of the “most dangerous” drugs, the timeliness and potential of Leaf is difficult to understate.
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