Pubdate: Tue, 07 Aug 2012
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Steve DeAngelo

IT WAS NO PARTY FOR MEDICAL POT USERS

I founded Harborside Health Center six years ago to establish a model
cannabis dispensary, one that would set the gold standard for legal
compliance and a truly medical approach.

Since then, my staff and I have accomplished that goal and more.
Harborside was the first to laboratory-test cannabis to ensure its
safety, and measure its potency.

When our testing program revealed that today's cannabis had an
overabundance of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), we launched a program to
breed cannabidiol (CBD)-rich varieties of cannabis that provide
medical benefits, but markedly reduce the psychoactive effects or
"high." In response to concerns about smoked forms of medicine, we
developed a wide range of alternative forms of medical cannabis that
had never been seen before: capsules, tinctures, tonics and sublingual
sprays.

We even developed completely non-psychoactive topical preparations of
cannabis, which are used for rheumatoid arthritis and skin conditions
like psoriasis.

Every step of the way, we carefully studied and complied with the laws
of the State of California. Prior to accepting a new patient, we
contact the Medical Board of California to ensure the doctor who wrote
the recommendation is in good standing; and then contact the doctor's
office to ensure the information on the recommendation accurately
reflects the doctor's records.

Our medicine is sourced exclusively from within the closed loop of our
own collective, and our staff is trained to spot and interrupt any
suspicious transactions. Nobody has purchased medicine from Harborside
that was not legally qualified to do so, and nobody will.

In the spirit of Proposition 215, the initiative approved by voters in
1996 that legalized medical marijuana in California, we have also done
our best to create a truly medical environment, where all patients are
cared for irrespective of financial ability.

All of our patients can access health care services at no extra
charge, including an on-site holistic health clinic, which offers 70
hours a week of acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy and several
other therapies. We provide classes on responsible cannabis use, and a
substance dependency program administered by a trained addiction
counselor. Our low-income program provides sliding-scale care packages
to about 500 patients a week, and our volunteer program allows any
patient to obtain medicine for work in lieu of cash payment.

In order to get a fix on exactly how cannabis helps our patients, we
have partnered with the University College of London, and are
conducting an extensive research program to determine the efficacy of
different types of cannabis, as compared with pharmaceuticals used for
the same symptoms.

Harborside has achieved what I set out to do: It is a model in
ensuring that medical cannabis patients receive medicine that is safe
and effective, and is provided in full compliance with state law.

That's why U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag was unable to allege even one
specific act of wrongdoing on the part of Harborside Health Center
when she initiated legal proceedings to seize the properties where we
are located.

There was no allegation that we were too close to a school, or that we
had violated state medical cannabis laws. Instead, she justified her
actions by articulating the general principle that, "The larger the
operation, the greater the likelihood that there will be abuse of the
state's medical marijuana laws." But the reason Harborside has the
largest number of patients is because we've provided our patients the
highest level of care. And that is a principle we will not compromise
- - ever.
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MAP posted-by: Matt