Calif Cannabis Patient/Activist SEEKS same for NEW CO-OP

[Ziggy Stardust]

greetings
I am a former Mkt Director and Sales Rep in LOS ANGELES who was forced into retirement do to a severe lower back injury.

Since that time ive become aware of the serious issues regarding medical cannabis and the law. I would ask that all those who are intrested in establishing a totally transparent non profit co-op whos SOUL intent is to - WITH the absolute co operation of local govt - develop frame work and operational procedures to allow MORE people to benefit from the use of cannabis - THIS IS NOT for those what to make $$$$ as we will use the following portion of the bill (SB 420) as foundation and charter:

(4) In addition, the act called upon the state and the federal government to develop a plan for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need thereof.

SAFE and AFFORDABLE for ALL people NOT just the rich

[email protected]

[daima]

Good luck with your adventure. Here in San Francisco the Love Shack keeps prices pretty decent. 40$ for a 1/8th of high grade cannabis. edibles, oil, and other grades of cannabis that cost less. Great club. Great folks, Always open 7 days per week, 365 day per year. Lighters and papers are part of every purchase.

dai*ma:thumbsup:

[Ziggy Stardust]

thats $320 on oz. So tell me how is an AIDS patient on welfare or a dsabled person living on half of his regular pay supposed to pay $320 for somthing that cost the growers MAYBE twenty??? and your welcome for the PLUG...please refrain from ADVERTISING on this thread :mad:

[iamapatient]

Ziggy:

Check your e-mail. ;) I'm gusssing you don't actually grow based on your 20/oz figure, that's just not realistic. Surely you've forgotten about the overhead involved in running a business like labor and supplies. Just a domain name is 3/mo. NPO Incorporation isn't free, either.

While I agree that 320/oz is too high (no pun intended), 20/oz is a virtual fantasy, IMHO. Maybe you meant 200/oz?

[iamapatient]

I'm all for the NPO part and freedom is important to me so jail is out. There are ways to minimize risk. Do you want to discuss/debate details here, in public, or is this thread just looking for interest?

[daima]

320$ an oz isnt bad when consideration is applied. Rent, grow cost, electric bills, plant food, soil, Lawyers(if need) Bail(if needed). Always a safe accessable place. Those who cant afford the highest quality can buy a lower cost brand. Until YOUR vote and YOUR government start to work in YOUR favor, take it easy on those risking federal charges,loss of home, loss of kids, loss of freedom. 320$ is a small price to pay.
Now, that being said, you can always buy a light, soil, bulb and fan for the cost of an ounce. You can also try to meet a better connnection.
These are SF prices. Some higher, some lower. Go north and the price gets a little cheaper, but you pay for gas, wear on the car, bridge tolls,meal, and 4-6 hrs of your time. Dont seem so bad now, does it?

dai*ma :D

[iamapatient]

320/oz is street price, that's steep for what's legal in this state, IMHO. There are various reasons why the prices are as high as they are and greed *is* one of them. There are also other pressures that keep the prices inflated.

That same 300+/oz on the street should be 200, for today's patients and even less when rescheduled. A small co-op/collective system can easily provide very high quality meds to members at 200-250/oz and still donate 10%(or more) to the needy. Imagine what large scale operations could do?

[daima]

I am very much aware of what a cannabis grow room can produce. I am also very much aware of the federal drug laws. I know what bail costs. I know how much lawyer fee's can be. I know what my house costs. I know what my kids and grand kids mean to me.

Would 200.00 and ounce be better? no shit. Is 320 an ounce too much when all risks are considered? I guess you could find many who would complain. Putting your ass on the line has got to be worth something. Until your government behaves the way you would like them , take your frustration out on them. They are keeping the costs high.

You have a right to be angry. I just wish you would direct the anger at those who deserve it and not at those who risk everything to open a club and operate it under war-like-conditions.

Let me guess. Those who open a club and spend their whole day there should also be working another job to help cover all the cost that are associated with a club, so they can keep pricesdown for the poorest?
That doesnt sond very good......, to me.

dai*ma :stoned:
Your flag decal wont get you into heaven anymore
They're already over-crowded from your dirty little wars
Now Jesus dont like killing no matter what the reason for
And your flag decal wont get you into heaven anymore :dance: :dance:

[iamapatient]

"I am very much aware of what a cannabis grow room can produce. I am also very much aware of the federal drug laws. I know what bail costs. I know how much lawyer fee's can be. I know what my house costs. I know what my kids and grand kids mean to me."

I've got grandkids and a house too. ;)


Would 200.00 and ounce be better? no shit. Is 320 an ounce too much when all risks are considered? I guess you could find many who would complain. Putting your ass on the line has got to be worth something. Until your government behaves the way you would like them , take your frustration out on them. They are keeping the costs high.

Let me ask you something; is the risk lower at 320/oz or the same as 200/oz? Of course it isn't lower. Is the risk lower providing meds to patients than a street user? Of course it is. You say putting your ass on the line is worth something, and it is, but it's because of greed, in part, that patients pay the same (or *more* in some cases) as non-patients. I'm all for rescheduling but that's another thread. ;)


You have a right to be angry. I just wish you would direct the anger at those who deserve it and not at those who risk everything to open a club and operate it under war-like-conditions.

You've obviously confused me with some one else, I'm not "angry" at all. I even pay club prices when I'm not growing. I'm not the type to get angry at something I agreed to do. That we agree to pay club prices, for whatever reasons, doesn't make the overpricing right. They have less risk selling to patients than street users, the price should be lower for patients.

Let me guess. Those who open a club and spend their whole day there should also be working another job to help cover all the cost that are associated with a club, so they can keep pricesdown for the poorest?
That doesnt sond very good......, to me.

You're not very good at guessing. First you blew it with the angry guy guess and now this. :D Seriously though, that's not the case at all. A non-profit org can pay their employees a fair wage, that's perfectly legal and California mmj laws allow for caregivers to recover costs. That said, those same mmj laws specifically state that these businesses can NOT be "for profit" so there's a difference between getting paid for your work and getting rich off sick mmj patients.

If you're starting a co-op to get rich, you're already violating the law, imho.

[Ziggy Stardust]

ill be back with a full respones soon BUT u see how fast the focus becomes $$$$? if your in a state where there are no cannabis laws then you shouldnt be breaking the law by cultivating -YOU SHOULD BE WORKING TO CHANGE THE LAWS! remember all your investing is your time, equipment and some electricity. if you dont break the law you dont need an atty and bail. here in calif our laws are set in such a way so as the legitimate cannabis patient has nothing to fear. and, if he choses to work w others who are of the same mind, after seeing to their own cannabis needs - THEN they look to the needs of others. some day cannabis will be decriminalized when it is WHO do you think the GOVT will look to for safe regulation and distribution? the moral....helping your fellow man is good both morally and bottom line

[iamapatient]

remember all your investing is your time, equipment and some electricity. if you dont break the law you dont need an atty and bail. here in calif our laws are set in such a way so as the legitimate cannabis patient has nothing to fear.


Sorry Ziggy, that's not entirely true, either. While California prop 215 and sb 240 provide state protections for qualified med patients and caregivers, there are no federal protections so there is still risk involved, just not nearly as much. That's why clubs have the advantage of being able to open a store front, if they so choose. That said, there are ways of minimizing risk. (for example; keeping plant numbers low, not making obscene profits, not drawing undue attention, being a good member of the community instead of a liability, etc...)

How many ounces a day (avg) do you think the avg med club sells in California, not including edibles, etc? Frankly, I don't know but I'd guess 20+oz/day. The bigger clubs might do 100+oz/day for all I know. Does that sound about right or am I WAY off? Anybody else want to guess?

[iamapatient]

Change your mind already? ;)

[Myth1184]

its that much because 99% of the people that buy weed from these "medicinal only" shops have no medical condition at all. Its just a ploy by potheads to smoke pot.

[iamapatient]

That many have no condition is beside the point. They still have a dr rec and are therefore legal potheads so the price *should* be cheaper. You want to guess how many oz/day the avg med shop sells? ;)

Now there *is* an argument for keeping the price at street levels to prevent "members" from buying cheap and selling on the street for a profit. I've heard that some LEO/local gov requests (or demands in some cases) that the prices not be too low for that reason. That problem can be managed without keeping the prices high but it takes more work and less volume. I guess it depends on your motives.

[AmberL]

It makes me sad to think that something like a plant that god himself, planted for all to have , as become a feared and forbidden fruit.So many people could benfit from it. Does seeing what can become possiable, make us daydreamers, or fools? Has it become such a bad thing, to want to help those poor souls, with something like PAIN? HAs it. Does it make you a fool, when trying to help. Or when u don't help at all. To hate is to fear. To give up both, and you have, what? Then again, what the Fuck do I know.

[iamapatient]

Amber, I think we all agree that it is medicine that could help a lot more people than it currently does, but you can't expect everyone to be able to help. If everyone could help nobody would need any. We all have our limitations. What did you have in mind to help? ;)

[AmberL]

Limitations. Think of all the things marijuana,can do. Think about all that money, lost to all that Hemp. growing everywhere, suppling, supporting, and allowing so many areas of life, worldwide. Imagine that. Weed doesn't have limitations. Either do we. AS a whole, not just acouple. Im just a girl , who loves marijuana. And i'm Proud of it. So u let me know what i can do to help. HAve to give I n order to Get....

[iamapatient]

Sorry Amber, but that's a little too idealistic and I'm a little more realistic. Marijuana and people do, indeed, have limitations. That's not to say that people or mj have seen their full potential but that's another story.

Oh, I bet you're more than "just a girl that loves mj" see how you just limited yourself, right there? ;)

As for what you can do, that's completely up to you. You can vote and write legislators, you can educate, you can participate, you can create and support. Unfortunately, part of the problem is internal, we've got a bad image problem and some "advocates" actually do more harm than good by driving away those that could be educated and turned into supporters. That's really another thread but being a positive image is something else you could do. (I'm not saying you're not, just making a point)

Actually, IMHO, if you give in order to get you're not giving at all, you're investing. Giving expects no return nor reward beyond personal satisfaction. :D

[Euphoric]

i'D just like to say good luck :)

[iamapatient]

Well Ziggy said he was going to post 2 weeks ago but he hasn't so maybe he's decided there was more too it than he thought and gave up on his idea. ;)

[Ziggy Stardust]

actually ...no i havent given up. see in my working life i learned to channel myself to what i needed to do to get what i wanted DONE not moan about why it wont work - soooo ive been 1st working on my garden and responding to others who have shown intrest in OUR efforts to get med cannabis into the hands of those who NEED it. beginning 04.01.06 West Coast Dist - a Los Angeles based non profit organization will be conducting interviews of low income patients outlining exactly what is expected of them and the services WCD provides along with financial and medical disclosures. these patients will have already spoken w their treating Dr of record about the benefits of cannabis therapy and are in need of a Dr reccomendation. upon determining that they are suitable patients (demonstrating a visable obvious need) we will make referal to a prescribing psycologist who at a reduced price (not the 200-300 range quoted by "mill Drs") will provided the needed paperwork... that is the 1st step ...THEN we will.......LOL!!

....Action ...Action ....gimme Action NOT words....

other than growing.March will be dedicated to determining HOW much $$ will be needed to ADVERTISE...and YES your right their are things we can do to minimize risk. the FIRST thing is to make sure the patients we serve are indeed legitimate

[email protected]

[del...]

and the 2nd is flying below the fed's radar...iow, keeping it quiet. but how can you do that while "distributing to the needy"? i'm sorry but i see a no win situation with running a distribution service (for profit or not) until the feds change their attitude towards cannabis. just a week or so ago another major co-op was busted by dea in the bay area and i'll bet there have others since that we haven't heard about yet. i'm legal in nevada so am definitely for your success but i'm also for your liberty and right now i'm afraid it'd be in jeopardy if you went ahead with this right now...surely you can wait 3 1/2 years. or just keep it on the down-low and perhaps quit advertising (i don't mean here) because that will only draw 'them' to you. we have a friend in the bay area who posts at marihemp's med board often and that is his scheme to get around the feds while helping those in need...clandestinely and only face-face. have you been there? it's our sister site and has been around much longer... http://boards.marihemp.com/

good luck

[Ziggy Stardust]

its funny you should say that..."under the radar" ...to what? evade? hide? remain annonymous? thats part of the problem. we have LAWS and the only way we assure that those mandates of the people are adheared to, we must face the issue and demand our rights in courts of law when challenged. as far as the FEDS are concerned the only reson they are now busting so "clubs " is because of MONEY. the basis and grounds for the FEDS to intervene arrest those who operate "clubs" IS NOT BECAUSE their laws say cannabis is dangerous but because interstate trafficing or exporting a comodity that has the potential to destabilize statewide economies is UNLAWFUL. NOW stand back and think - club opens up selling to anyone who hasa reccomendation an 1/8 of cannabis for 50-80 (thats $400 - $640) - they even reccomend a Dr to you. that same club THEN starts trying to use loopholes in the law to cultivate HUNDREDS or THOUSANDS of plants for a small amt of people...why? now, law enforcement (here in calif) now sees using cannabis casually as almost a judgemental "call" - i.e. "as long as this guy aint an asshole ill let him go its only a small bag". then theres the peoples mandate to allow those who demonstrate a legitimate medical need and its THESE people im talking about servicing - NOT the 19 yr old whos rich mummy and daa decide to save themselves the legal hassle by tossing him a credit card for some unscruplous Dr type to reccomend he be allowed to use cannabis to treat some non exhistant malidy. hiding is not the awns ...WORKING with local govt to proivde them with the totally transparent organization they NEED inorder to allow others to see that our new industry CAN be regulated and TAXED and thats where IAM is right being open and honest with local govt is the awns ...more to come .....

[NewYorkDiesel]

w0w

[Ziggy Stardust]

sry NY but no go please email me maybe then i can get back 2 u:(

[iamapatient]

Actually, I'm with del about staying under the radar for my coop. I'd rather serve an extremely small group of needy patients and make less money than to run the typical club that I see here in SoCal. I don't want a store front, walk-in clients and federal attention. I just want to get meds to sick people at a generous discount and try to help certain other groups with donated meds. I doubt I'd go over 6kw until it's rescheduled and the laws change. I agree that most current clubs charge way to much. I know vendors that were willing to sell to clubs at a discount but the clubs charge street prices (or above) so they jack up their wholesale price too. Until a few bigger clubs start a price war, it'll stay inflated for the average patient. One of the local clubs in my city was charging over 200/oz for fluffy stress looking mids. Another club was selling shake and had something they *called* medicine that looked like it was grown under an incandescent bulb. Decent meds ranged from 45-90 1/8th. Most barely give any break, even when buying over an oz, and are unwilling to haggle at all. If you have good street connections, you can often find better deals on an oz or more. The greed is astounding. :(

[Graehstone]

I guess I fall in to that group that really canâ??t afford it. I am a cold war vet and unemployed with the wife being the only earning member, so needless to say even living in a 2 bdrm apt here in the San Diego area we can hardly afford the $60 for an eighth which lasts all of perhaps a week if that long.
I am not complaining mind you, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to buy something to help deal with the pain from degenerative disc disease, migraines, Scheuermanns disease, etc â?¦ and even more grateful for not having to take those demandable oxycodones when I do have something to smoke.
Funny that my prescription for those only costs me $7.00 through the VA and the really good (healthier) meds (Marijuana) that make life livable again are out of my price range.
And as to growing my own even though I am legally allowed to being a MMJ patient â?¦. Yeah right, lol.
I went to a new one (dispensary) today that is closer to where I live and they too are in the $60 to $80 range for an eighth so it was like Christmas for me today having saved up $80. I got a Veterans discount, or so was told and left with $120 worth. I never did get around to weighing it to see how much it actually was, but it too will have to be stretched and saved for the really crappy days. Ok, Iâ??ll shut up now.

[AmberL]

Do u ever think, that those who don't smoke pot, but show concern, and know what this plant can do, will ever step forward? I mean really put hmself on the line, for something they don't even do. Or will it take, those who do smoke, and also hold the same positions, to come forward, and confess? They would be quickly ignored. What sort of person does it take, to get the job done? I wonder just how many people in the world smoke weed. Maybe we even outnumber those who don't. Wouldn't that be funny.

[iamapatient]

I guess I fall in to that group that really canâ??t afford it. I am a cold war vet and unemployed with the wife being the only earning member, so needless to say even living in a 2 bdrm apt here in the San Diego area we can hardly afford the $60 for an eighth which lasts all of perhaps a week if that long.
I am not complaining mind you, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to buy something to help deal with the pain from degenerative disc disease, migraines, Scheuermanns disease, etc â?¦ and even more grateful for not having to take those demandable oxycodones when I do have something to smoke.
Funny that my prescription for those only costs me $7.00 through the VA and the really good (healthier) meds (Marijuana) that make life livable again are out of my price range.
And as to growing my own even though I am legally allowed to being a MMJ patient â?¦. Yeah right, lol.
I went to a new one (dispensary) today that is closer to where I live and they too are in the $60 to $80 range for an eighth so it was like Christmas for me today having saved up $80. I got a Veterans discount, or so was told and left with $120 worth. I never did get around to weighing it to see how much it actually was, but it too will have to be stretched and saved for the really crappy days. Ok, Iâ??ll shut up now.
Thank you for your service. I'm in a similar situation, I'm also a disabled Vet, mmj patient. In fact, my coop is geared towards helping Vets, Altzheimer's, cancer, AIDS and other terminal diseases. My grow is down right now because I have to get contractors in my house to replace the flooring and upgrade the electrical, etc, before I start again but hopefully that won't take too long. If you are a legal california patient, you could grow your own, let me know if you need advice.



Do u ever think, that those who don't smoke pot, but show concern, and know what this plant can do, will ever step forward? I mean really put hmself on the line, for something they don't even do. Or will it take, those who do smoke, and also hold the same positions, to come forward, and confess? They would be quickly ignored. What sort of person does it take, to get the job done? I wonder just how many people in the world smoke weed. Maybe we even outnumber those who don't. Wouldn't that be funny.
Yes, it's possible to win hearts and minds but, unfortuantely, many of the stoner types and kids (as evidenced on this site) drive away those we need. I've talked about this subject on many mj forums but trying to reason with angry children on the internet is like a humming bird farting in a hurricane. No effect. ;)

[medicinalhigh]

i am with you man,i am tired of this mentality that we all have to hide.i dont want any person to come out that does not want to.why cant i meet with other patients and have a support group and access to seeds clones and meds for trade.or a club agrreed basic price agreed by members when signing up.honestly 25dollars us a 1/4 is pretty fair then you give it to patients on ssi disability who demonstrate the need,humbolt 240 a ounce and low income prices.we dont need to order seeds from other countries and break laws we need a place to meet and share.where genetics like cheese and og can be bought and seeds maid and passed onto legal members for pain killing or anti deppressant qualities,the law is in place the OCBC seems to do a good job on cards MEDICANN 125.00 for a appointment cheapest aroun,if patients cant afford it we setup a fund from med sales so patients can get there script or we ask for dr time donations.

[iamapatient]

i am with you man,i am tired of this mentality that we all have to hide.i dont want any person to come out that does not want to.why cant i meet with other patients and have a support group and access to seeds clones and meds for trade.or a club agrreed basic price agreed by members when signing up.honestly 25dollars us a 1/4 is pretty fair then you give it to patients on ssi disability who demonstrate the need,humbolt 240 a ounce and low income prices.we dont need to order seeds from other countries and break laws we need a place to meet and share.where genetics like cheese and og can be bought and seeds maid and passed onto legal members for pain killing or anti deppressant qualities,the law is in place the OCBC seems to do a good job on cards MEDICANN 125.00 for a appointment cheapest aroun,if patients cant afford it we setup a fund from med sales so patients can get there script or we ask for dr time donations.
I don't think some people have a realisitic view of overhead costs and yield per kw, but show me?