LOCAL GROUP AIMS TO HELP FUND PATIENTS’ MEDICINE

The Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) has announced its plans to start a fund to help low-income cannabis patients access their medicine. This comes as welcome news to patients all over the state who need help acquiring medicine.

The fund is a change of pace for the for-profit. The main line of business at WACA is to support and represent its members, licensed cannabis businesses in Washington. Members enjoy a third party buffer between their businesses and Washington State regulatory agencies and the legislature.

In a statement released by WACA, Executive Director Vicki Christophersen lays out their reasons for starting the fund.

“That’s why we are determined to address the challenges some face who, due to economic hardship, are not able to access the medicine they have been prescribed by a medical professional.”

“Our members strongly support a safe, quality-controlled and fully regulated marketplace for all cannabis products,” Christopherson stated. “That’s why we are determined to address the challenges some face who, due to economic hardship, are not able to access the medicine they have been prescribed by a medical professional. Under current state laws and regulations, as well as the economic realities of the marketplace, it is difficult to provide medical products at no cost to patients. WACA’s Board of Directors wanted to establish the Medical Access Fund to create a legal, regulated process whereby our members and their peers in the licensed industry can step up and support patients. Whether they are a licensed producer, processor or retailer, all of our members are committed to helping serve the communities in which we do business.”

CULTURE contacted Aaron Pickus from WACA to find out more about the fund. The question we really wanted answered was, how many patients the fund will help, and when it will be available for patient applicants? Pickus promptly replied. “I don’t have numbers for that at the moment, but we are aiming for the fund to be available for applicants in Q1 2017,” Pickus said.

“Under current state laws and regulations, as well as the economic realities of the marketplace, it is difficult to provide medical products at no cost to patients.”

Good to know 2017’s already off to a good start in terms of Washington cannabis. The results of this generous and ambitious fund remain to be seen, but the effort is a noble one. As time goes on, and laws change and evolve, it’s imperative that the cannabis industry looks within to protect and provide for consumers and competitors alike.