Policy Shift Opens Door For Medical Marijuana Dispensaries In Redding

[Ganjarden]

With the Obama administration declaration that it will stop frequent raids of medical marijuana dispensaries, more cannabis cooperatives could start budding in Redding.

At least two have opened since December.

"We didn't rent the building until we knew Obama was going to be elected president," said Jess Brewer, executive director of Trusted Friends Inc. on California Street in downtown Redding.

Ironically, Brewer soon will lose his storefront and is looking for a new location. A competing co-op in Humboldt County bought the California Street building and will expand its operation there, Brewer said.

Trusted Friends opened in early December and has grown to nearly 1,800 members who pay a $10 fee. The dispensary buys and sells marijuana on consignment for its members.

On the bottom floor is a display case stocked with marijuana cookies and brownies. Behind the display are jars of cannabis buds.

"Every patient we have doesn't have to go to the park, they don't have to buy it on the streets. They can come here," said the 55-year-old Brewer, who uses medical marijuana to treat an intestinal disorder.

Trusted Friends is one of at least four medical marijuana co-ops or collectives in Redding.

State law allows distribution of medical marijuana through nonprofit co-ops or collectives.

Passed in 1996, Proposition 215 allowed patients with a valid doctor's recommendation to possess and grow marijuana. The law also allows medical marijuana patients to have up to 12 immature or six mature marijuana plants. Patients also can have up to 8 ounces of processed marijuana.

The law was expanded in 2004 to allow patient co-ops or collectives to distribute medical marijuana. It also allowed designated primary caregivers to charge for their labor and services in providing marijuana.

But a promise by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in March to ease up on Bush administration raids on dispensaries seems to have spurred interest across the state.

Redding doesn't have a specific ordinance regarding medical marijuana and the operation of co-ops within the city limits. However, the city requires the nonprofits do business in appropriately zoned areas.

"In other words, you can do this in places, for example, where a medical office might be allowed," Redding Assistant City Attorney Barry DeWalt said.

Because the co-ops or collectives are nonprofits, the city doesn't require a business license, DeWalt said.

Earlier this month, a business owner asked the Anderson City Council to allow her to open a medical marijuana dispensary. The city balked.

Anderson officials say there isn't a zoned district that would accommodate the proposed medical marijuana dispensary.

Meanwhile, Trusted Friends has a monthly operating budget of some $35,000, which includes wages, taxes and rent. The cooperative has five full-time and two part-time employees.

Brewer wouldn't put a value of the medical marijuana that comes through his doors.

Both Trusted Friends and Nature's 420, which opened two weeks ago on Hilltop Drive, have specific membership agreements. Members must be at least 18 and qualified medical marijuana patients at both dispensaries.

Consumption of marijuana is not allowed at either Trusted Friends or Nature's 420.

"Our neighbors have been gracious, so we need to be good neighbors," said Dan McLind, 49, of Nature's 420. McLind's co-op has about 50 members.

McLind worked for years as a civil engineer but got tired of the job. He started researching medical marijuana after his girlfriend had two bouts with cancer.

"She went through hell with cancer. She told me it saved her life," McLind said of medical marijuana.

Skeptical at first, McLind's attitude changed after studying the subject and he started using medical marijuana to treat his arthritis.

"It's fulfilling because we provide a safe place for people to get their medicine," McLind said of his operation.

Brewer at Trusted Friends says about half his members are professionals like doctors, lawyers and real estate agents. More than half his members also grow marijuana at home and bring what they don't use to Trusted Friends, Brewer said.

Trusted Friends member Mike, who didn't want to give his last name, said he makes about $10,000 a month selling medical marijuana on consignment. Mike travels across the state to deliver his home-grown product.

"I make treats, I make hash - I do a lot of edibles," said Mike, who has arthritis in both knees and uses medical marijuana.

Mike was a pharmaceutical sales representative before he started growing medical marijuana for distribution.

"I would rather use this than codeine, which has some bad side effects," Mike said.


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: Redding Record Searchlight
Author: David Benda
Contact: Redding Record Searchlight
Copyright: 2009 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Website: Policy Shift Opens Door For Medical Marijuana Dispensaries In Redding