Mother Earth's Alternative Healing Cooperative medical marijuana dispensary in Fallbrook could be featured in an upcoming reality TV series about California's pot culture.
Two Los Angeles television producers were in town Wednesday to film interviews at the dispensary for a pilot episode they plan to pitch to Showtime, Bravo, Lifetime and other networks.
Between the two of them, Reel Reality Productions and G-Town Productions have produced several popular TV shows, including "Blind Date," "Rock of Love" and several VH1 reality series.
Reel Reality producer Dave Wilson said this week he has a good feeling about the show.
"This show with the real stories is going to be a hit," he said.
The series, tentatively titled "Grass Roots," will explore the "exploding pot culture," from growers in the northern part of the state to Southern California dispensaries that provide marijuana to medical patients, producers said.
California voters legalized marijuana for medical use in 1996 when they passed the Compassionate Use Act.
The nonprofit dispensary provides marijuana to about 1,000 patients with medical prescriptions. Doctors typically prescribe marijuana to help patients suffering from pain, to increase the appetites of patients going through chemotherapy, and to relieve eye pressure for people with glaucoma, among other things.
The dispensary charges patients $35 to $50 for an eighth of an ounce of marijuana.
Wilson said he began tossing around ideas with G-Town producers two years ago for a TV series, but that they had trouble finding dispensaries that would give them enough access to capture the personal stories unfolding behind the scenes.
He said many dispensary operators were reluctant to give his crew complete access to their facilities, saying they were concerned that publicity could lead to raids even if they're following the law.
"People want to do it, but they're very limited about what they want us to see," Wilson said. "It makes me think that maybe they're doing something wrong."
Mother Earth president and founder Bob Riedel said he's trying to make his business as transparent as possible, saying openness is the key to legitimacy and acceptance within the business community.
"I think our reputation is getting out there that we are compliant and trying hard" to be legitimate, he said.
The co-op joined Fallbrook's Chamber of Commerce in November and participated in the community's Christmas parade.
During his taped interview, Riedel talked about the organically grown marijuana, marijuana growing and cooking classes, and marijuana-based lotions and oils his co-op offers qualified patients.
The episode will also focus on patients, many of whom are suffering from serious or terminal illnesses.
"What happens is that sometimes people will come in and say, 'I probably won't see you again next week,'" Riedel said. "It's devastating around here. It's the worst feeling in the world to see someone you've laughed with go away and never come back."
Riedel said he hopes the series will capture the contrast between legitimate medical dispensaries such as Mother Earth and those that cater to recreational marijuana users.
"There are people out there doing this for the wrong reason; we get that," he said. "But the work we do here is really good and it's for the right reasons."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: North County Times
Author: MORGAN COOK
Contact: North County Times
Copyright: 2010 North County Times Californian
Website: Medical marijuana dispensary headed for reality TV
Two Los Angeles television producers were in town Wednesday to film interviews at the dispensary for a pilot episode they plan to pitch to Showtime, Bravo, Lifetime and other networks.
Between the two of them, Reel Reality Productions and G-Town Productions have produced several popular TV shows, including "Blind Date," "Rock of Love" and several VH1 reality series.
Reel Reality producer Dave Wilson said this week he has a good feeling about the show.
"This show with the real stories is going to be a hit," he said.
The series, tentatively titled "Grass Roots," will explore the "exploding pot culture," from growers in the northern part of the state to Southern California dispensaries that provide marijuana to medical patients, producers said.
California voters legalized marijuana for medical use in 1996 when they passed the Compassionate Use Act.
The nonprofit dispensary provides marijuana to about 1,000 patients with medical prescriptions. Doctors typically prescribe marijuana to help patients suffering from pain, to increase the appetites of patients going through chemotherapy, and to relieve eye pressure for people with glaucoma, among other things.
The dispensary charges patients $35 to $50 for an eighth of an ounce of marijuana.
Wilson said he began tossing around ideas with G-Town producers two years ago for a TV series, but that they had trouble finding dispensaries that would give them enough access to capture the personal stories unfolding behind the scenes.
He said many dispensary operators were reluctant to give his crew complete access to their facilities, saying they were concerned that publicity could lead to raids even if they're following the law.
"People want to do it, but they're very limited about what they want us to see," Wilson said. "It makes me think that maybe they're doing something wrong."
Mother Earth president and founder Bob Riedel said he's trying to make his business as transparent as possible, saying openness is the key to legitimacy and acceptance within the business community.
"I think our reputation is getting out there that we are compliant and trying hard" to be legitimate, he said.
The co-op joined Fallbrook's Chamber of Commerce in November and participated in the community's Christmas parade.
During his taped interview, Riedel talked about the organically grown marijuana, marijuana growing and cooking classes, and marijuana-based lotions and oils his co-op offers qualified patients.
The episode will also focus on patients, many of whom are suffering from serious or terminal illnesses.
"What happens is that sometimes people will come in and say, 'I probably won't see you again next week,'" Riedel said. "It's devastating around here. It's the worst feeling in the world to see someone you've laughed with go away and never come back."
Riedel said he hopes the series will capture the contrast between legitimate medical dispensaries such as Mother Earth and those that cater to recreational marijuana users.
"There are people out there doing this for the wrong reason; we get that," he said. "But the work we do here is really good and it's for the right reasons."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: North County Times
Author: MORGAN COOK
Contact: North County Times
Copyright: 2010 North County Times Californian
Website: Medical marijuana dispensary headed for reality TV
Dave Wilson probably knows Mike Pack out in LA for our contact info.
