[Skinzy420]

I purpose something groundbreaking and controversial...We need a Patient Council. That can oversee dispensaries, make important decisions, and help the communities we live in. If we can be a positive force in this movement, show the rest of the public what we are doing, we can get more support for this! I am interested to hear some ideas...I think this would work. A panel of patients getting together like a neighborhood council to discuss problems and concerns. We can have members from every county and city!

[kennabis]

great idea! let's come together, figure it out, and take it to the city! make them realize it! i believe we really need to "tell" them how we are goin to be doin things....

you know you got my support skinzy boi

[Skinzy420]

Originally Posted by kennabis

great idea! let's come together, figure it out, and take it to the city! make them realize it! i believe we really need to "tell" them how we are goin to be doin things....

you know you got my support skinzy boi

Thank you brother...You will be Cannabis Liaison for Universal Acceptance

[superface13]

That's one of those ideas that makes you say, "Wow!!! Why didn't anyone think of that before?" Awesome idea Skinzy!! I'm in!!

[cephas]

I'v been trying to talk to people about that for months now.

So far no interest for it down in Imperial Beach at least.....

I would love to see something like this fly in LA though...

[wallawalla]

I would help out !!

[Greenbud]

Think that's a great idea. An official council to liaison between co-ops and city.

I think we also need a California Cannabis Party, a real political action group.

We need to come out of the wood work and be open about our commitment to cannabis.

Best,

GB

[washgirl]

Originally Posted by Skinzy420

I purpose something groundbreaking and controversial...We need a Patient Council. That can oversee dispensaries, make important decisions, and help the communities we live in. If we can be a positive force in this movement, show the rest of the public what we are doing, we can get more support for this! I am interested to hear some ideas...I think this would work. A panel of patients getting together like a neighborhood council to discuss problems and concerns. We can have members from every county and city!

This is good....but the problem does not start with the shops it starts with Dr.s and then moves on to dispensaries (they should be co-ops) A law needs to be passed that the police can keep the profits from a Drs raid just as a dispensaries raid then there will be more of that raiding going on! Too many Dr.s giving recs for cash make it a horrible stigma for a reputable Dr (ie your PCP) to write them!

Then we move to the shops, stores, dispensaries.....
If we made all shops into co-ops like prop 215 intended, then there would be a governing group over each one, every patient would have a voice in his/her meds. Every able patient would have a hand in one way or another, farming, cropping, curing, delivering to members who are housebound. A co-op would have the right to turn kids away that got their rec by showing a scar they got from falling out of a tree when they were four. (and those kids could make their own co-op)

[washgirl]

Originally Posted by kennabis

great idea! let's come together, figure it out, and take it to the city! make them realize it! i believe we really need to "tell" them how we are goin to be doin things....

you know you got my support skinzy boi

The problem is that the dispensaries are PRIVATELY OWNED. No one can appoint anyone to oversee them. There can be "complaint" Depts like the BAR, Public Utility Commission and the BBB but really those are just complaint depts and the repair shops, the utility companies and other companies can choose to accept or deny the solutions these councils come up with. WT is kinda like the BAR, PUC and BBB in that we get to complain and offer solutions to the shops.

Within all the above rambling my point is no body can make a private company do anything! .

Really the only solution is co-op in it realest truest form! Not one person owning a store, calling it a co-op...calling a lower "cap" then the place next door compassion. I can see WT evolving to be the number one source of connection to your home co-op. The place to come with help to file the right paper work for your non profit status. The place to see how a Mission statement is written. See what the bi laws should look like, and see how the board of directors works in a non profit. (wonder how many shops that are open as "non profit" can show you any of the above!)


If we had co-ops
No body in the IE will have to pay 560 a month for meds (the price of an ounce approx what I need a month I have been told that is on the low end of amount needed a month!), people won't have to drive to shady areas that are unknown to them (one wrong turn and you are in deep trouble!) to get their meds for a bit less, or drive to LA on a deal you found on WT (like match deals) to find out they "just ended" that promotion, but we will give you five dollars off, a gram of "shake" (people water leaf is NOT shake!!!) and a pre roll (of the same water leaf)

Or I could go back to using hard core pain killers and be unable to work ever and suck off those LAPD officers tax dollars!

[cephas]

If all the Co-Op's agree to (and sign documents to that effect) be held accountable by an independent regulating body, then the Patient Council would work perfectly.

It would essentially be like how the Movie Studios allow themselves to be overseen, and regulated, by the Motion Picture Association of America. Or how car dealers are regulated, overseen, and obtain group advertising by the respective dealer associations (IE: Acura Dealers of Southern California)

Many industries have developed similar types of independant regualting bodies, to keep the government from coming in and doing it ( The Motion Picture Association of America is the best example of this, formed by the independently owned film studios to keep the Government from coming in and rating/censoring films).

The only problem I could see for our movement is that it seem like most of the Co-Ops are unwilling to deal with anyone else, not all but far too many...of course this could be easily overcome if the patients stopped purchasing meds from non-board supervised Co-Ops...

How much support can be gathered for such a council?

What do you say Trackers, what if only 20 Co-Ops city wide agreed to be regulated by the patients, would Trackers respond by no longer purchasing meds from any but those member Co-Ops?

The truth is, self-regulation is the best way to keep law enforcement and other legal entities from bothering with you....

[Skinzy420]

I think if we can find a way to govern, to add our voice of concerns, we can make this better for everyone. The co-ops need to realize, they can be next...They should want to be a part of something just as much as patients so we can all feel safe from persecution.

[PrincePrada]

very smart. solid idea.

[superface13]

Has anyone ever been part of an advisory council before? I can start researching the formation and such, but I'm WAY BUSY for the next few weeks (moving) We'll need help becoming a legal entity (which will cost money). We'll need to work on a charter, bylaws, etc. etc. If anyone has any experience with this type of stuff, we will REALLY appreciate input.

[washgirl]

Please stop calling stores/shops/dispensaries co-ops, they just are not! Co-ops are member owned, operated and funded. And if you did belong to a co-op you would not be paying much for your meds at all!

[Skinzy420]

a co-op is actually not member owned....A collective is...

A collective is supposed to be a group of patients who pool their resources and talents together to provide MMJ to each other. Technically it should be non-profit and they shouldn't be able to provide meds to outside patients.

A Co-operative is a non-profit entity that provides MMJ to patients in more of a shop like setting.

A Dispensary is a for-profit entity that simply dispenses MMJ to any qualified patient. The difference between a Co-Op and a Dispnesary is the tax-status and the corporation type.

[washgirl]

Originally Posted by Skinzy420

a co-op is actually not member owned....A collective is...

A collective is supposed to be a group of patients who pool their resources and talents together to provide MMJ to each other. Technically it should be non-profit and they shouldn't be able to provide meds to outside patients.

A Co-operative is a non-profit entity that provides MMJ to patients in more of a shop like setting.

A Dispensary is a for-profit entity that simply dispenses MMJ to any qualified patient. The difference between a Co-Op and a Dispnesary is the tax-status and the corporation type.

I disagree here is co-op defined by webster An association of persons who have voluntarily joined together to achieve a common end through the formation of a democratically controlled organisation, making equitable contributions to the capital required and accepting a fair share of the risks and benefits of the undertaking in which the members actively participate.

I currently belong to three food co-ops for fresh organic foods, I must contribute in some way shape or form to the farms usually you will find me picking produce and delivering to the homebound members. We all pay membership fees/dues to offset the costs.

A MMJ co-op would work the same. All able members would do what they could for the farm and everyone would get their meds at a very low monthly fee, to pay for electric, water, soils, nutrition, equipment and rent. Say someone has a warehouse (anyone?lol) that is their contribution. Say someone else cannot be on their feet or bend over to tend to plants, they can deliver to the members who cannot get out of their homes (which provides a visiting service!) that would be a great contribution. Everyone must contribute somehow if able. This will also end the sales of recs because we would be policing ourselves and the "hang nail" cases that buy their recs will have no place to turn for their "drugs"

imagine not having to pay 560 dollars a month for an ounce of MMJ

A collective is nothing more then signing your right to grow your MMJ away to some grower/vendor somewhere and when you sign that you also agree not to go to Joe Shmoe down the street to get meds (regardless of how much the collective you signed up with is charging) Most of us have signed these and ignore them (I know I have/do) I have signed one at the most expensive shop in IE He is most definetely for profit.....I have not seen one member owned anything I have not signed up to a shop where I have a say in anything except to make a purchase!

[Albee420]

Sounds like a damn good idea to me. Let's make it happen, just tell me when and I will be there. We should set up a meeting or something to talk about this some more. Skinzy glad to see u back pimp, send me a pm if u need anything.

[Skinzy420]

Taken from ASA website and updated with revisions in SB 420
The following models have developed since the passage of the CUA and SB 420:

1. The Cooperative Model seeks to combine the efforts of patients and caregivers, as the two groups work together to educate the public and grow marijuana. Each individual involved is expected to give what he or she can to the endeavor. In return, the cooperative offers its members safe access to medical marijuana, often at no cost. While caregivers can be part of a cooperative, none need to participate for a cooperative to be viable. It should be noted that cooperatives are entities defined by state law, and that law must be consulted and followed before a cooperative is formed.

2. The Collective Model is considered very similar to the Cooperative Model, with the difference being that state law does not define collectives.

3. The Collective Dispensing Model is perhaps the most commonly used model across the state. Due to the conflict between state and federal law, specifically with regard to "distribution," ASA encourages caution when implementing such a model. From a patient's standpoint, this model is the most simple mechanism through which the patient can receive medical marijuana. Each dispensary maintains its own membership of legally qualified patients, and those members are allowed safe access to marijuana. A Collective or Cooperative Dispensary with patient services is a more comprehensive model. Using this model, the dispensary does not simply provide its members the opportunity to secure marijuana, but it also offers other services to meet the needs of the patient's general well being. At these facilities, health-care providers may offer services, such as peer counseling, hospicestyle care, classes on various topics like cultivation, as well as other special events benefiting patients.

[washgirl]

Originally Posted by Skinzy420

Taken from ASA website and updated with revisions in SB 420
The following models have developed since the passage of the CUA and SB 420:

1. The Cooperative Model seeks to combine the efforts of patients and caregivers, as the two groups work together to educate the public and grow marijuana. Each individual involved is expected to give what he or she can to the endeavor. In return, the cooperative offers its members safe access to medical marijuana, often at no cost. While caregivers can be part of a cooperative, none need to participate for a cooperative to be viable. It should be noted that cooperatives are entities defined by state law, and that law must be consulted and followed before a cooperative is formed.

2. The Collective Model is considered very similar to the Cooperative Model, with the difference being that state law does not define collectives.

3. The Collective Dispensing Model is perhaps the most commonly used model across the state. Due to the conflict between state and federal law, specifically with regard to "distribution," ASA encourages caution when implementing such a model. From a patient's standpoint, this model is the most simple mechanism through which the patient can receive medical marijuana. Each dispensary maintains its own membership of legally qualified patients, and those members are allowed safe access to marijuana. A Collective or Cooperative Dispensary with patient services is a more comprehensive model. Using this model, the dispensary does not simply provide its members the opportunity to secure marijuana, but it also offers other services to meet the needs of the patient's general well being. At these facilities, health-care providers may offer services, such as peer counseling, hospicestyle care, classes on various topics like cultivation, as well as other special events benefiting patients.

So what I said in fancier words LOL...OK now we have the definition down lets make one

[mooniegoogoo]

I like it, lets do it

[ladyknight]

I am in

[zbestwun2001]

[custom]

i would love to be a part of this


patients need to know when they are being taken advantage of!


clubs shouldn't feel they can do whatever they want. there needs to be a code of conduct!


this is like the British navy forming and fucking up the pirates lol

[Jeffster]

I like this idea, too, Skinzy420. Count me in.

It may be too early to discuss the criteria for grading the shops, but I'd like to suggest we look to the strengths of MMJ as medicine. In other words, some of what we would be grading the shop on includes how well it meets the various aspects of what we decide is the model place for MMJ patients' needs, aong with service, price, location, safety, attention to specific patient concerns, etc.

I could go on, but again, I may be too early with this type of talk.

[zbestwun2001]

Me Too.