Has Marlboro really launched weed cigarettes?

You might have come across this information: Marlboro has reportedly launched marijuana cigarettes in 4 American states. The packaging is evocative: red is replaced by green and a beautiful cannabis leaf throne on the front of the package.

We are translating here the article that announces these cigarettes:

«Residents of Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska are celebrating the release of Phillip Morris Marlboro «M» cannabis cigarettes, which will be available for recreational use next month. The world's largest cigarette producer announced today that it is joining the recreational marijuana trend and will begin selling these cannabis cigarettes in these four states starting November 1, 2015.

This product is marketed under the brand name « Marlboro M »and will be available for sale in authorized marijuana dispensaries. Serafin Norcik, Vice President of Marketing, stated in an interview: «Our company has shown strong interest in cannabis marketing, and observed the market for some time. We finally decided to take the plunge and support these states in their right to consume recreational cannabis.

Currently, the law limits purchases to only one pack at a time. Prices start at 89$ per pack. You must be at least 21 years old and provide a valid ID to be eligible to purchase them. Any resale of Marlboro M packs is subject to fines and imprisonment under local laws.»

Interesting, isn't it? Well, no! Not Serafin Norcik, this pack of Marlboro M doesn't exist, it's obviously a fake, published by the website « Now 8 News »

On the other hand, this raises an important question: will tobacco brands one day enter the cannabis game? The few interviews’cannabis companies that we were able to read and who were asked where they saw themselves in 5 years, often replied that they saw themselves being bought out by large tobacco or pharmaceutical companies.

Even if it's likely a bluff or a naive response, the question remains. The day major pharmaceutical or tobacco companies start showing interest in the cannabis market, the latter will change considerably, in response to the likely drop in drug-related issues from the massive legalization of cannabis in the United States.

In the meantime, medical patients should primarily focus on the contributions of cannabis to society, from alleviating certain illnesses to Decrease in hard drug addiction rates and medication. And don't believe the fakes 😉