In the time I have been away from my hometown of Hood River Oregon (as you can see in my background photo), marijuana has been legalized in three additional states. In his blog post concerning the topic, Aiden Raff analyzed the entrepreneurial opportunities of this emerging market and how some companies like Eaze have already capitalized on the latest mind-altering drug available. I am not in disagreement with Aiden’s views on this breakthrough as a major business opportunity, however I do disagree with his generalization that all pot smokers are lazy. I have a close friend who has been battling with cancer for his entire life. He routinely experiences pain but he has gained access to medical marijuana and the difference in his mood day to day is inspiring. If the government can make this substance available to the masses, but also control their intake somehow, it could make a considerable impact on those who suffer from anxiety or depression. These startups that Aiden is so passionate about should consider providing more responsible options for use to consumers so this drug can be used more to heal and less as an emotionally addictive hobby.
There is, as Aiden said, a wide rage of opportunities for this new law to improve the lives of those who are sick or those who suffer from chronic illness and especially PTSD. This drug is much less aggressive when treating PTSD then many of the sedative like drugs that are prescribed. These up-and-coming businesses will hopefully open the possibilities for marijuana to make an impact in the world of disease treatment.

Aiden’s Blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/araff/2014/11/06/marijuana-legalization-and-the-untapped-market-that-follows/

The United Nations, self defined as “51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights,” is perhaps the most well known peace keeping group in the world. This collection of world leaders strives to ensure a better living environment for todays generations and those to come. While the U.N does all they can, some customized attention is needed in various places that require intensive economic repair. This is where social entrepreneurs come into the picture. They are seeing a problem that needs fixing first hand and are able to craft a solution alongside the people that he or she will be helping.
The U.N has a holistic approach to world betterment while social entrepreneurs often focus on one thing, typically something that involves strengthening a local economy with then end goal of improving overall life. Also, the typical social entrepreneur is well funded and able to completely focus their time and resources on the problem at hand where as a large group like the U.N cannot spread its self thin over every group that needs help while still making a lasting impact and remaining within budget. The increased ability to focus and give all time, money, and customized problem solving that are given by a social entrepreneur cannot be matched by the U.N even if the group had full funding. There can simply never be the same level of personal commitment and customized solutions needed for work like micro finance from the U.N that a social entrepreneur can give.

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When considering the work place within a company, the first concept that comes to mind is environment. Each employee that comes to work every day brings with them an aura that contributes to the atmosphere of their workplace. The CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh, took it upon himself to create the most nurturing environment to improve customer service by implementing an intensive training process that helps to select the most dedicated employees. By merely reading about the Zappos headquarters, I wanted to be a part of that team solely because of the innovative efforts of this management to implement a new way of ensuring extremely high quality customer service through the happiness of employees. It is clear that Hsieh believes it is the job of the employer to create a healthy environment, however, blogger Geoffrey James explains that it is mostly the responsibility of the individual to choose to be happy that ultimately determines their mood. He explains that there is only so much blame to be placed on management when a work environment is subpar. There are steps that employers should take to nurture their employees, but the workers must consciously make the choice to see the good in any situation.
The question now is which unconventional boss is correct? Is it the manager or the employee that is in control of the workplace mood? I believe that both theories must be combined in a duel effort to work towards happiness. One cannot occur without the other and happiness is essential for productivity and overall wellbeing of any firm, especially since businesses are nothing without the employees who are the lifeblood that gives any firm mobility.

Geoffrey James Blog: http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/your-happiness-is-your-responsibility.html

New Yorker Article “Happy Feet”:

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/14/happy-feet