The San Francisco Patients Cooperative WAS an important and viable part of the Medical Cannabis…read moreCommunity until it was shut down by the Feds back in 2009. Prior to that, it was a place of Compassion, Hospitality and Service to those in need of the healing power of Cannabis, and also that of the community of patients who frequented the place.
It was NOT a for profit scenario, rather, it was Patient Owned, Patient Operated place that was committed to making sure the PATIENTS rather than profit was the main concern.
We had open access hours all day...didn't chase anyone out after 20 minutes, had many activities from AA meetings, Writers' Group, Veteran Gatherings, Harm Reduction Groups, Open Mic (every Friday night), Bike riding groups, a pantry for those in need of food, a place for folks to get clothes, the staff would visit those in hospice and hospitals (and bring medical cannabis and/or edibles ), and were also active in the surrounding community to ensure safety and well being between the merchants, neighbors and our patients.
Unfortunately we had to close due to the Federal incursion (by way of threatening letters to our landlady) which was a very common tactic at the time.
We tried to find another location to continue these services, but that was not possible because of the Federal/State/Local government's ability to rescind our Non Profit Status and enforce outrageous fees and permit processes against us.
We were not alone in this . Other Medical Cannabis facilities were likewise forced to discontinue their community services due to the greed of the combined forces of Wrong Minded marijuana legalization fronts and government's, locally, statewide and federally.
Our hope is that we can change things
It is time for the Medical Cannabis Community to rise up, to take back our rights as were given by Prop 215 and DEMAND that we are given the following:
NO TAXES on cannabis for qualified (as per Prop 215 standard) medical cannabis patients.
Access to non-profit status for cannabis outlets which cater exclusively to medical cannabis patients, including access to services throughout the day rather than the 20 minute maximum given presently at current "recreational use" outlets
Re-establishment of communication between local government and the Medical Cannabis Community via public meetings and ongoing communication. The task forces as have been set up in the past have proven to be insufficient due to the unfortunate political interference of those who's interest are more vested in profit rather than patients. Patients and their true representatives have been frustrated beyond all measure due to the limitations they are given when it comes to decision-making.
Different permits and building code processes which will make founding of such facilities possible, rather than being unattainable for those wishing to help their community.
Re-zoning structures....so many schools, so little land. Let's get real! This is a MEDICAL issue, not a drug issue. Why not educate the kids on the purpose of medical cannabis rather than treat it like some nasty drug? Let's face it, some of their parents are being kept alive because of it!
I'm sure there is a lot more....but one last thing; What about reimbursing patients who have been ILLEGALLY taxed for their medicine sine 2005? That was illegal and should be addressed i.e. reimbursed.
Anyway, there's a lot to be looked at here and even more so....for now, the Medical Cannabis Community has been torn asunder by the actions of people who claimed to be part of us....and we know who they are. They're up on the Big Chair right now, thinking that Legalization was the Ultimate Gain.
How wrong they are! What about the patients? The people who, sick and dying, stood on the front lines to defend their lives, and the lives of those after them?
I believe they are the TRUE stakeholders in this, the ones who not only need bud DESERVE a community, a center, and their own way of access to cannabis.
Sincerely,
Rev. Peter James Webster
peterjameswebster@gmail.com
