Jamen Shively, a former Microsoft corporate strategy manager, said "I am sure my Seattle-based enterprise will become the leader in both recreational and medical cannabis - much like Starbucks is the dominant name in coffee."
Shively, 45, whose six years at Microsoft ended in 2009, said he is soliciting investors for $10 million in start-up money.
The use, sale and possession of marijuana is illegal in the United States under federal law. However, Washington state and Colorado became the first two U.S. states to legalize recreational marijuana when voters approved legalization in November. There are 18 states that allow it for medical use.
"The marijuana industry is a giant market in search of a brand," Shively said. "We will be happy if we get 40 percent of it worldwide." A 2005 United Nations report estimated the global marijuana trade to be valued at $142 billion.
Shively laid out his plans, along with his vision for a future in which marijuana will be imported from Mexico, at a Thursday news conference in downtown Seattle.
Joining him was former Mexican President Vicente Fox, a longtime advocate of decriminalizing marijuana. Fox said he was there to show his support for Shively's company but has no financial stake in it.
The sale of cannabis or marijuana remains illegal in much of the world although in countries mainly in Europe and the Americas the possession of small quantities of it is legal. A larger number of countries allow cannabis for medical use.
Shively is interested in buying dispensaries that comply with local and state rules and are less likely to attract the scrutiny of authorities.
"If federal officials want to come talk to me, I'll be delighted to meet with them," he said. "I'll tell them everything that we're doing and show them all our books."
Some months ago Shively acquired the rights to the Northwest Patient Resource Center, a medical marijuana operation that includes two Seattle store fronts. He will soon acquire another dispensary in Colorado, as well as two more each in Washington state and California, with the owners given the option to retain a stake in their businesses.
Shively said " I plan to create separate medical and recreational-use marijuana brands. I will soon launch a study of the effectiveness of concentrated cannabis oil in the treatment of cancer and other illnesses".
Washington state's marijuana consultant, Mark Kleiman, said he was skeptical of Shively's plans, and feared that the businessman is seeking to profit off others' addiction.
"It's very hard for me to understand why anybody seriously interested in being in the marijuana business, which after all is against the federal law, last Thursday publicly announced his conspiracy to break that law," said Kleiman, a professor of public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Emily Langlie, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle, referred questions to the Department of Justice headquarters. Department officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
edited from REUTERS
