Technology giant IBM (NYSE: IBM) has provided some input to the government of British Columbia as it prepares its regulatory framework for the legal distribution of cannabis and its by-products in the Canadian province.

IBM explains that  Blockchain  Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamper with. The Evolution of BlockchainBlockchain was originally invented by an individual or group of people under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The purpose of blockchain was originally to serve as the public transaction ledger of Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency.In particular, bundles of transaction data, called “blocks”, are added to the ledger in a chronological fashion, forming a “chain.” These blocks include things like date, time, dollar amount, and (in some cases) the public addresses of the sender and the receiver.The computers responsible for upholding a blockchain network are called “nodes.” These nodes carry out the duties necessary to confirm the transactions and add them to the ledger. In exchange for their work, the nodes receive rewards in the form of crypto tokens.By storing data via a peer-to-peer network (P2P), blockchain controls for a wide range of risks that are traditionally inherent with data being held centrally.Of note, P2P blockchain networks lack centralized points of vulnerability. Consequently, hackers cannot exploit these networks via normalized means nor does the network possess a central failure point.In order to hack or alter a blockchain’s ledger, more than half of the nodes must be compromised. Looking ahead, blockchain technology is an area of extensive research across multiple industries, including financial services and payments, among others. Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamper with. The Evolution of BlockchainBlockchain was originally invented by an individual or group of people under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The purpose of blockchain was originally to serve as the public transaction ledger of Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency.In particular, bundles of transaction data, called “blocks”, are added to the ledger in a chronological fashion, forming a “chain.” These blocks include things like date, time, dollar amount, and (in some cases) the public addresses of the sender and the receiver.The computers responsible for upholding a blockchain network are called “nodes.” These nodes carry out the duties necessary to confirm the transactions and add them to the ledger. In exchange for their work, the nodes receive rewards in the form of crypto tokens.By storing data via a peer-to-peer network (P2P), blockchain controls for a wide range of risks that are traditionally inherent with data being held centrally.Of note, P2P blockchain networks lack centralized points of vulnerability. Consequently, hackers cannot exploit these networks via normalized means nor does the network possess a central failure point.In order to hack or alter a blockchain’s ledger, more than half of the nodes must be compromised. Looking ahead, blockchain technology is an area of extensive research across multiple industries, including financial services and payments, among others. Read this Term technology is an ideal mechanism through which the cannabis' trip through the entire supply chain can be transparently captured – from seed to market. The company assures the BC government that this solution ensures consumer safety while "exerting regulatory control".

Calling it "one of this decade’s technical disruptors", IBM says that governments are beginning to understand the potential benefits and realize the rate of speed and cost effectiveness in which blockchain systems can be delivered, particularly in areas like supply chains. By having one set of books (distributed ledger), governments quickly see the benefits of greater visibility, which in turn  Leads  Leads Leads or lead generation are an essential component of marketing and powerful tool by brokers. In its simplest form, leads can be defined as the outreach of customer interest or enquiry into products or services, most often associated with brokerages.These can be created for purposes such as list building, e-newsletter list acquisition, or for sales leads. Amongst marketers, such lists are one of their most important assets and instrumental to sales.There are a variety of methods for generating leads that traditionally fall under the mantle of advertising. However, this may also include non-paid sources such as organic search engine results or referrals from existing customersHow Are Leads Generated?In the FX space, nearly every brokerage has their own list of leads. How exactly these are generated varies to some extent. Most come from a composite of sources or activities.Specific parameters on the Internet such as personal referrals, telephone calls, or even conference attendance either by the company or telemarketers, through advertisements are the most common examples of this.Indeed, content marketing, search engine, and events are all effective ways in bolstering leads over time and account for the highest concentration of lead generation.Leads are also a powerful took by marketers to pursue new clients. This can involve customer relationship management (CRM) technology or follow ups in the form of contacting.The goal of these contacts is the conversion into a client. Simply obtaining a list of leads does not always correlate to business. This is where sales, follow ups, or other methods come into play. Leads or lead generation are an essential component of marketing and powerful tool by brokers. In its simplest form, leads can be defined as the outreach of customer interest or enquiry into products or services, most often associated with brokerages.These can be created for purposes such as list building, e-newsletter list acquisition, or for sales leads. Amongst marketers, such lists are one of their most important assets and instrumental to sales.There are a variety of methods for generating leads that traditionally fall under the mantle of advertising. However, this may also include non-paid sources such as organic search engine results or referrals from existing customersHow Are Leads Generated?In the FX space, nearly every brokerage has their own list of leads. How exactly these are generated varies to some extent. Most come from a composite of sources or activities.Specific parameters on the Internet such as personal referrals, telephone calls, or even conference attendance either by the company or telemarketers, through advertisements are the most common examples of this.Indeed, content marketing, search engine, and events are all effective ways in bolstering leads over time and account for the highest concentration of lead generation.Leads are also a powerful took by marketers to pursue new clients. This can involve customer relationship management (CRM) technology or follow ups in the form of contacting.The goal of these contacts is the conversion into a client. Simply obtaining a list of leads does not always correlate to business. This is where sales, follow ups, or other methods come into play. Read this Term to optimization, improved reconciliation, greater auditability and regulatory compliance.

The shared ledger is updated and validated in real time with each network participant. This reveals where an asset is at any point in time, who owns it and what condition or state it is in. This type of transparency would bring a new level of control to the regulators, IBM promises, as well as provide assurance to the multitude of cautious stakeholders regarding the way the management of a cannabis supply chain is rolled out.

The company concludes that blockchain technology can help the provincial government take control of sourcing, selling and pricing of products, and therefore "can reduce or eliminate black market sales completely."