Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jan 2015
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Sarah Massah

MEDICAL-MARIJUANA ADVISER OPENS SHOP

Mostly Positive Reaction In White Rock, Entrepreneur Says

You could say she's following in her father's footsteps.

Tara Caine - daughter of Hempyz Gifts & Novelties owner and marijuana
proponent Randy Caine - opened her own White Rock storefront in Five
Corners Saturday, but instead of a hemp-themed retail store, the
35-year-old is working to provide public consultation and education
for those who use medicinal marijuana.

"We're strictly advocates for people who want to incorporate
(medicinal marijuana) as a part of their health," Caine said last
week, of the Releaf Compassion Center. "Once they walk through the
doors, that's the first step. Getting to know the information. Then
they can choose whether they'll continue on or whether they'll go back
and consult with a physician."

Caine is quick to note that Releaf Compassion Center is not a
dispensary. Confusion as to what work Releaf does at the first
location in Langley last June caused a bit of controversy.

"Langley is a little more afraid I think, there is a lack of
knowledge, stereotypes and things in the media," she said. "They were
a little hesitant and reserved."

However, Caine notes, the feedback in White Rock has been mostly
positive, with many other businesses in the area inquiring about the
centre.

"There are a lot of people for it. There are a lot more people who had
done the research of it and are very aware of the benefits and cons of
it," she said.

The topic of medicinal marijuana has been a much-debated topic on the
Peninsula - where a pro-medical marijuana rally was held outside of MP
Russ Hiebert's South Surrey office in February 2013 - and across Canada.

Last month, the courts rejected the federal government's appeal of a
March 21, 2014 injunction that temporarily allows previously
authorized medical marijuana patients to continue growing in their own
home, or have pot grown for them, despite new federal regulations that
outlawed home grows.

At Releaf, after all paperwork is vetted, a member is connected with a
reputable dispenser, who will work with the patient on strain
selection and delivery method. No marijuana will be dispensed at the
centres, Caine said.

The aim is to bridge a gap that she first noticed when inquiring about
medicinal marijuana for herself. The former residential care aid
suffered an injury to her lower back in November 2013, and last
January she was told she could not continue working in that capacity.

After trying to alleviate her pain through muscle relaxants and
over-the-counter medication, Caine tried medicinal marijuana for her
injury.

"I came into it as very cynical, because I really had to look at if
this was something I honestly, 100-per-cent believed in," she said. "I
found, at the end of the day, that this works=C2=85 It definitely was not

something I foresaw in my future."

Caine noted the journey to deciding to use medicinal marijuana was
what pushed her to open up the compassion centres, after encountering
a lack of education from dispensaries.

"It just wasn't the one-on-one I was looking for. It's like when you
have a doctor, you want them to explain and take time for you," she
said. "That's what we provide.

"Caring for others is truly my passion."

There is no cost for the counselling and information provided,
however, the centres ( www.releafcompassioncenters.com ) work on cost
recovery and a $1 per gram dispensing fee through the membership-based
Langley Medical Marijuana Dispensary and other dispensaries.
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MAP posted-by: Matt