Medical Cannabis Community
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January, 2007 Vol. II, No. 1 greenkindgreenkind magazine $3 by Patients for Patients© • Medical Cannabis Community TThehe RRe-fe-feminizaeminizationtion COLLECTIBLE ofof MarMaryy JJaneane POSTER INSIDE From the PATIENT Community: RESOURCE • Stories • Articles DIRECTORY • Legal Updates The story of Granddaddy Purple DispensaryDispensary ProfileProfile www.gkmagazine.net SafSafee && AffordableAffordable MedicalMedical CannabisCannabis 12 noon to 8 pm • 7 days a week ATM, VISA, MasterCard, Discovery American Express and Diner’s Club accepted Registering online and via fax Ph: 310-246-9345 • Fax: 310-246-9358 1649 So. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035 10% OFF WITH THIS AD to new patients only and not to be used in conjunction with any other special or discount [email protected] ! www.PureLifeAlternative.com 2 greenkind The Patient’s Choice greenkind 3 TheThe ReRe-feminizationfeminization by Melrose Sanchez ofofMaryMary JJaneane ccess to marijuana for females prior to the The root of all healing and physical comfort is the ability to passage of Proposition 215 in 1996, usually eat, sleep and be pain-free. This is the foundation of all medical came through a male family member or treatment. Our own Mary Jane offers all three to her patients, and friend. The clandestine-underground nature frequently marijuana is recommended as a support to other pre- AA of obtaining marijuana caused many females scribed medications and treatments. The female influence is being expressed subtly, yet in a to- pause. It did not stop women, especially those in need of tally professional approach to the dispensaries role in today’s so- pain relief, and those caring for the critically and terminally ciety. What was once flanked with armed guards is now being ill, but it cloaked the experience with uneasiness. It usually invaded by nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, herbalists and involved getting medication through a network of known those with a healing/caring nature. people, but it didn’t change or lighten the experience. The personal risk and social consequences involved with growing or possessing quantities of marijuana, medical or other- “… there is a hunger for wise is still tremendous. It can and often does involve the loss of child custody, dissolution of family and jail or prison time. This is a risk few women, wives and mothers are willing to take thus dis- normalized approach to ob tancing the female influence from cannabis for a sustained period of time. Now, with more social sanction, females are coming to the The infusion of the feminine seems appropriate and lends forefront of the medical cannabis field. By coming out of the closet balance to the medical cannabis community. Certainly, there is in a public way, the female influence is being felt throughout Cali- room for female expression in a community where there is a hunger fornia and in the other states with medical cannabis laws. They for a more comfortable, normalized approach to obtaining medicine. are active in dispensaries across the state and throughout all as- Highly visible security is giving way to less visible, yet pects of the medical cannabis community. The hard-edge of barbed equally as effective security measures. The dispensaries are reflect- wired and weapons are being exchanged for a more hands-on femi- ing more comfort, efficiency, compassion and professionalism nine approach to this most female of plants. which was somewhat present in the early days of the male-ori- Without speaking too broadly about the differences in the ented dispensaries, but it is being expressed in a more open and approach of the genders to marijuana, it is safe to say that the fe- embracing way. Women seem to foster less paranoia, and certainly male plant and the female human do share theoretical common bring a true passion to their work. ground. Traditionally, however not exclusively, females are thought Women of various ages and from diverse backgrounds are of as nurturing, and are frequently caretakers of the very young, bringing their areas of expertise to the forefront of the medical old, sick and injured. Certainly, the use of marijuana as medicine cannabis community. Most have left successful professional lives has been passed from mother to daughter in the more indigenous to fulfill what they consider the most important work of their lives. populations of Mexico, and the Americas. Even now, this infor- All have taken untold risks, and met overwhelming challenges to mation is being passed as it always has been in the geographic be in the position to work directly with medical cannabis patients. areas where folk-medicine prevails over contemporary health care. ••• Women pass recipes for healing potions, salves, teas, soups and mixed herbal concoctions which include cannabis to treat any JoAnna, of The Farmacy located in West Hollywood is a li- number of health troubles from menstrual cramps, to geriatric con- censed pharmacist specializing in geriatrics. She brings to her work ditions and general maladies occurring in everyday life. It is the an extensive medical background and over 20-years experience as same as learning to treat a cold, or bandaging a small wound. The an herbalist. Although, of course, she is not involved with dis- lessons are not so much taught, as they are learned. Most of us pensing pharmaceutical drugs at The Farmacy, working knowledge have learned our traditional ways of treating common maladies does give her the edge in understanding the interaction of pre- or some sort of home remedies for common injuries and ailments. scription medications and how herbs, including medical cannabis, 4 greenkind The Rising Female Influence in the Medical Cannabis Community can augment and support prescribed treatments. She is capable of tions because of the social stigma attached and as a way of dis- advising patients about strains, and methods of ingestion and other tancing themselves from stereotypical associations with cannabis. herbs. Her experience includes a vast working knowledge of herbs This is what Shay plans on changing. including medical cannabis to balance medications for optimal Shay is interested in the wholesome nature of cannabis and results. bringing this message and viewpoint to her patients and to future It is JoAnna’s extensive hospice work that brought her to patients. Shay appreciates family values and would like to see understand the value cannabis brings to the sick, and terminally medical cannabis reflect those values. Shay envisions a future ill. She saw the results of prescribed synthetic cannabis and came where local dispensaries operate much like any other family- to realize that it is not one element of cannabis that is effective but owned business to serve the neighborhood’s needs in the style rather the whole plant that is necessary to relieve pain, stimulate and tone that is most comfortable. She is also concerned that the standard for quality of medical cannabis remains high and does not become diluted as the medical value becomes more accepted for a more comfortable, by the mainstream. Lisa, of Greenway Compassionate Relief in Santa Cruz, (featured in the Fall, 2006 issue of Greenkind) has ventured where none have obtaining medicine.” gone before. Armed with her well written proposals, and her vi- sion of a model dispensary, she sought and won city approval and state sanction. appetite and give comfort. A cancer survivor, Lisa learned the value of medical mari- JoAnna gave the example that while only one plant chemi- juana and the importance of a well run, well stocked, fully-func- cal of the echinacea plant is used today, there are hundreds of ac- tioning dispensary where the patient is the focal point. She knows tive ingredients not being used from the plant. The use of the whole first hand what patients desire from a dispensary. plant, JoAnna explains, creates a synergistic or more complete Santa Cruz patients have the option to enjoy a true sense of chemical interaction. Her conviction today is about choice. There security having the knowledge of full local authority and state are options available to aid with relaxation for example; medical acknowledgement. It took fortitude and faith for Lisa to meet ev- cannabis, kava, Chinese herbs and pharmaceutical drugs each can ery requirement and working through the endless glitches of the produce about the same effect, depending on the individual pa- governmental maze. Steadily, she moved forward, overcoming tient. JoAnna is convinced that medical cannabis is one avenue to obstacles and after two years of hard work, celebrated the first allow death with dignity. In her extensive hospice work, she has anniversary of Greenway, late last year. witnessed the positive effects of cannabis giving comfort and ease Lisa’s vision has not stopped with the completion of the dis- to patients when they need it the very most. pensary. The lack of standardized, trained and licensed dispen- Shay, of Mr. Nice Guy in San Francisco is the youngest of our sary security, caught her attention and has urged her on to form a profile group. At age 23, she brings to her dispensary a different, new company now in its early stages of development and appro- very refreshing attitude. She has her eye on the future. Her first priately named, Greenshield, specializing in dispensary security. move upon coming to Mr. Nice Guy was to change the counter staff to an all female team. Her vision of the future involves the These women and the hundreds if not thousands like them humanitarian impact alternative medical options bring to the pub- are setting the standard in dispensary operation and patient care. lic at large. She is especially dedicated to people of color becom- They bring dignity and a bright future to medical cannabis in Cali- ing more educated about the medical options, including medical fornia and beyond.