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Tragic Irony: After Defeating U.S. Government, WAMM Shut Down By California Government
Since January 1st, 2018, WAMM has been unable to dispense medical cannabis to its patients because of California's new cannabis law. The irony is tragic as the U.S. government was unable to shut WAMM down, but the California government has effectively shut them down.
Valerie Corral is the co-founder and director of WAMM, the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana. They are the nation’s oldest continuously operating cannabis collective, having opened in 1993. They still serve as a model of truly compassionate care 25 years later.
Valerie Corral discovered the benefits of Medical Cannabis when she was 20 years old, in the mid - 1970’s, while she was recovering from a car accident that left her with epilepsy and brain damage. After two years of beginning regular cannabis use, Corral was seizure-free.
Valerie Corral has been at the forefront of several lawsuits against the government. In 2002, the federal government raided WAMM's farm. After fighting the case, the Feds dropped all charges. WAMM had plants back in the ground a week after the raid. The federal government was unable to shut them down.
WAMM was serving more than 2,000 men and women, some of whom suffer from serious life threatening illnesses. Since January 1st, 2018, WAMM has been unable to dispense medical cannabis to its patients because of California's new cannabis law. The irony is tragic as the U.S. government was unable to shut WAMM down, but the California government has effectively shut them down.
Follow and support them: @wamm_collective
We must fight to protect compassion!
#CannabisCompassionHeroes
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Sweetleaf Bay Area
Providing low-income AIDS/HIV and cancer patients free medical marijuana since 1996 in the Bay Area
Valerie Corral discovered the benefits of Medical Cannabis when she was 20 years old, in the mid - 1970’s, while she was recovering from a car accident that left her with epilepsy and brain damage. After two years of beginning regular cannabis use, Corral was seizure-free.
Valerie Corral has been at the forefront of several lawsuits against the government. In 2002, the federal government raided WAMM's farm. After fighting the case, the Feds dropped all charges. WAMM had plants back in the ground a week after the raid. The federal government was unable to shut them down.
WAMM was serving more than 2,000 men and women, some of whom suffer from serious life threatening illnesses. Since January 1st, 2018, WAMM has been unable to dispense medical cannabis to its patients because of California's new cannabis law. The irony is tragic as the U.S. government was unable to shut WAMM down, but the California government has effectively shut them down.
Follow and support them: @wamm_collective
We must fight to protect compassion!
#CannabisCompassionHeroes
---
Sweetleaf Bay Area
Providing low-income AIDS/HIV and cancer patients free medical marijuana since 1996 in the Bay Area
For more information:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgglmmCBOmv/
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Please explain the details.
One reason may be if they did not report income/pay taxes. Their patients should be able to acquire their meds from any number of other providers.
...but this article may give some indication: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycarreon/2018/01/29/californias-new-cannabis-laws-push-out-compassionate-care-programs/#366a863a25fd
It's a sad irony that WAMM, a pioneer in years past, became a sole source distributor of medical marijuana (to a small number of people). From 2000 to 2005, WAMM's back room deal with the Santa Cruz City Council, shut down the other medical marijuana providers in town.
Lack of unity and solidarity then. But perhaps some now might help all low-income people who need marijuana--medically or recreationally--get what they need. Access, of course, has been further suffocated by abusive restrictions on cultivation, sales, and use by the City Council and the Board of Supervisors.
Instead of seeking special exemptions, it would be refreshing (and common sense) to see WAMM act in broader solidarity with those in need generally.
What about it, Valerie?
It's a sad irony that WAMM, a pioneer in years past, became a sole source distributor of medical marijuana (to a small number of people). From 2000 to 2005, WAMM's back room deal with the Santa Cruz City Council, shut down the other medical marijuana providers in town.
Lack of unity and solidarity then. But perhaps some now might help all low-income people who need marijuana--medically or recreationally--get what they need. Access, of course, has been further suffocated by abusive restrictions on cultivation, sales, and use by the City Council and the Board of Supervisors.
Instead of seeking special exemptions, it would be refreshing (and common sense) to see WAMM act in broader solidarity with those in need generally.
What about it, Valerie?
This poorly written article neglects the 5 Ws and 1H of basic journalism --who, what, when, where, why, and how. How exactly does California law prohibit WAMM from dispensing medical cannabis? The article does not say. It is practically useless.
...nobody's comments made prior to mine loaded when I commented. Robert, thanks for the link. That article may explain it.
WAMM is no victim of CA Cannabis laws, WAMM is a victim of mis-management & poor leadership. I started with WAMM 24 years ago in the original garden as co-founder/grower Mike Corral's Assistant. The last 10 yrs I worked as the Product Manager at the dispensary. In terms of WAMM obtaining licensing by 2018 co-founder/director Valerie Corral simply hired her nephew to start this process in November 2017. Yes, just 2 months before the application deadline a family member with zero experience was given this task and though the City licensed WAMM the landlord refused permission for a cannabis business to operate in his building. Though WAMM has been at the same location it was an unregulated operation like all medical marijuana business. The landlord had always voiced concerns of the Feds and the current government administration has threatened federal loans etc. Obtaining that sig, probably should be secured first since the licensing is intrinsic with the building. There were options a half million inventory, no debt and over $300,000 in the bank but WAMM closes and plays victim. So much more to tell about why WAMM always needs saving, saving from itself.
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