Pubdate: Thu, 13 Nov 2014
Source: Tucson Weekly (AZ)
Copyright: 2014 Tucson Weekly
Contact:  http://www.tucsonweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/462
Author: Chris Flora

SMASHING THE STIGMA

At Cathy's Compassion Center, a cancer survivor helps others with 
their struggle

For medical marijuana dispensary owner Cathy Mead, opening up Cathy's 
Compassion Center in December 2012 wasn't just a business decision.

Mead's father died from lung cancer, but Mead saw first-hand how his 
passing was made more bearable through the use of marijuana.

"It changed the quality of his life," said Mead. "He could drink, he 
could eat, he could sleep."

So, when Mead-who is a cancer survivor-had the opportunity to pass on 
the benefits of medical marijuana to others, it was a no-brainer.

"I've seen both sides of the issue, so I figured I could offer some 
value and education to the people who otherwise might have been 
apprehensive of trying it," said Mead. "It was a lot about helping 
people in overcoming the stigma that comes with marijuana."

Cathy's is looking to reverse the negative connotations that come 
with medical marijuana by offering an environment that is welcoming 
and professional, and which offers an educational and informative 
experience for patients who may be unfamiliar with the benefits of 
the medicine.

As a partner of two major cancer centers in Arizona, Mead says it is 
rewarding to help those who experienced the same trials as she and 
her father did battling the disease.

"I've always been in a service-oriented business, but this is by far 
the greatest service experience of my life," she said. "For so many 
people, this is the last chance for relief. We've had people walking 
in, shaking in their boots because they'd never smoked, but we made 
it such a welcoming and warm experience."

Cathy's is just as focused on providing top-notch product.

Having established its own grow, Cathy's is able to offer a large 
number of strains, all of which are tested for mold and pesticides. 
Because of the flexibility that comes with its own harvest, Cathy's 
is also able to experiment with new strains, giving patients a wider 
variety to choose from, important since some prefer the "high" 
feeling while others are simply after pain relief or sleep aid.

Patients preferring the edible route will have a broad selection as 
well. Cathy's offers it all-from candy bars and brownies to oils, 
waxes and vaporizers.

"We try to keep all of our products' prices the lowest in the state," 
said Mead. "We are a boutique. We are a small dispensary, but we care 
a lot, and we want every customer experience to be a positive experience."

Located at 1825 W. Dragoon Road near Willcox, Cathy's offers delivery 
services throughout Arizona.

For more information on Cathy's Compassion Center, visit their 
Facebook page or view their website at www.cathyscompassioncenter.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom