Hoping to Avoid Burnout, Some Startups Turn to Pot

An embarrassing experience trying to get medical marijuana gave Mark Hadfield, chief technology officer of HelloMD Inc., the idea he needed to stimulate his business.

"My wife gave me the 'aha!' " said Hadfield. Two years ago, Pamela Hadfield visited a rent-by-the-hour doctor's office to obtain a medical marijuana card for her chronic migraines. Scheduling the appointment was cumbersome, and the office lacked privacy. The receptionist called out her name and date of birth to a packed waiting room, and then took her blood pressure at the check-in counter. The bad trip was an inspiration for her husband: Instead of targeting patients with general medical ailments, the foundering telemedicine company could connect people seeking medical marijuana cards with doctors.