Compassion in Action

In 1996, California became the first state in the nation to implement a medicinal cannabis program. Unfortunately, when California’s Prop 64 took effect in 2018 legalizing adult-use cannabis, it eliminated many of the compassionate care elements of the original 1996 law. Activists, patients, veterans, and industry associations stepped up to lobby state representatives and change the draconian, misguided situation. Their efforts led directly to enacting The Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Act, which went into effect in March 2020. Formally known as SB34, the Act authorizes companies to provide free cannabis or cannabis products to medicinal cannabis patients or the patient’s primary caregiver if they meet specific program requirements.

Kannabis Works, a dispensary in Santa Ana, California, held an official SB34 patient event during the weekend of November 13, 2020. It was compassion in action, and I wanted to cover it as a way of giving thanks to the community that I love and support.

“If I don’t smoke, I’m a shut-in.” Gabriel Suarez, Commander, American Legion Post 397

Gabriel needs full-spectrum THC to help with PTSD and night dreams. He also suffers from chronic, degenerative muscle fatigue. He told me that “CBD and THC help balance things out. I have to stay busy to stay well. Instead of popping pills, I smoke weed. Veterans need access and education about cannabis, and we provide information at the American Legion Post in Monterey Park.” Gabriel explained that the national American Legion commander approves of their post’s cannabis education program in a truly hopeful sign. His service dog, Roxy Hope, also approves. 

Shelly McKay, the Health & Wellness Director at Kannabis Works, understands how important SB34 is for the patient community, especially Veterans. She explained that “Potential beneficiaries need to enroll in the SB34 program by filling out an application with us. When everything checks out, they’re eligible to receive free gift bags filled with donated cannabis products. Everybody wins; companies can legally donate products for a terrific cause, and patients gain access to high quality, tested, and legal cannabis products.”

Eric Goepel, Founder of the Veterans Cannabis Coalition, works closely with Kannabis Works and non-profit organizations like Dear Cannabis. “We’ve had six events since March, and Shelly has been instrumental in contacting brands. Sponsors have come on board, and cooperation is so important for identifying soon to be expiring products that are perfect for a donation rather than destroying them. We need to keep educating people about SB34, and we’re looking forward to expanding access,” Eric said.

“Dear Cannabis is our love letter to the community.” Melissa Burgstahler, CEO and Founding Partner, Dear Cannabis.

Dear Cannabis is a non-profit organization that connects cannabis license holders across the supply chain to create donatable product SKUs. The organization’s name comes from Melissa’s mother, who kept a journal during her cancer treatments and passed away when Melissa was just six years old. “With Prop 64, we can’t give it away legally, and patients lost access overnight, Melissa said. “Now, with SB34, we’re able to take the burden out of compassion by offering a turnkey system to track and legally donate cannabis products to qualified program applicants. Companies want to donate but may not have the personnel, bandwidth, or information to take part. It’s not easy, so we do the heavy lifting,” Melissa said.

Enjoying the donated tacos from Easy Eats, Dear Cannabis CMO, Kellie Carlton added, “We want people to know we’re allies, that we’re a community resource, especially when it comes to educating companies about taxes and SB34 compliance."

Military spouses and the issues that affect them are often overlooked. Thankfully, SB34 also benefits spouses, friends, and family trying to help their beloved veterans. Gail Woodard’s husband is a Vietnam Veteran who smokes cannabis once a day to help reduce stress. “He’s less moody, and I don’t have to take as many deep breaths during the day,” Gail explained. “Cooperation among the various Veterans’ groups is very important. We’re all family.”

Elisabeth Mack, Founder of Holistic Caring and Director of Health Policy at LA NORML, is passionate about the program. “It’s so important to get the word out about SB34. Cannabis patients and veterans need help,” she said. “People are interested but need information. Holistic Caring can provide dosing guidelines and offer assistance to patients, but it’s going to take time to get more companies and people involved.”

 Take the pills that we give you, and move on.” Sal Solo, Vietnam Veteran

Sal knows his fellow Veterans overlook SB34’s opportunities and need more information about the Act. He’s adamant that the federal government won’t help, at least for the time being. He explained that “The Veterans Administration is all about management flow, not education. There’s an expression of ‘drink water and carry on,’ meaning don’t ask questions, take the pills that we give you, and move on.”  

Kyle McFarlin from Emerald Bay Extracts said, “I’m here to support the Veterans. My uncle committed suicide in 2012 after the VA diagnosed him with a fatal disease. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was a mistake, and we didn’t’ find out until after he passed. I had to get involved to help the people who served.” 

For those of us working in the medicinal cannabis profession, SB34 helps restore compassion to the state’s heavy-handed cannabis laws and regulations. We are all indebted to Mary Rathbun, Dennis Peron, Steve and Andrew DeAngelo, and countless others who changed the way Californians perceived cannabis medicine. We still have a long way to go for fair, affordable access to plant-based medicine, but SB 34 is an enormous step in the right direction. 

Learn more about Kannabis Works on Facebook or Instagram. Their collective hearts are in the right place. 

Philip Rebentisch is the Chief Storyteller of Gotta Story Media. He listens to people, writes words, and tries his best to support the medicinal cannabis community.