HomeMy WebLinkAboutPackets - Council Packets (130) May 19,2016 Regarding the extension of hours for Catalina Care, Medical Marijuana Dispensary Dear Oro Valley City Council, I felt it was imperative for me to provide some educational and informative details to be considered for the vote on extension of hours. There are several things for us citizens to take into consideration: • The unique opportunity that we have to partner as a community with this business to educate and benefit our community. Oro Valley has a majority population of adults that are age 55+. This age group actually represents the largest growing number of medical cannabis users and group that is interested in gaining education on cannabis. Seniors also represent a population of cannabis users who respond to and prefer a more discreet, classy and professional approach when it comes to the dispensary that they choose. Again, Oro Valley has a unique opportunity because this location is just that— it's not the flashy, gaudy off the highway dispensary, or the downtown one that has silly gimmicks and representation. It is classy and understated and focused on being on the "good side" of medical cannabis — this would be what we would want as far as the dispensary that represents our community. After all, doing business in this manner and focusing on education and community involvement breaks down the stigma associated with cannabis because it demonstrates how it does good in the community and then creates for more people who may have been closed off due to the stigma to be more open minded, understanding and accepting. • Out of all the dispensaries in Southern Arizona, only 1 dispensary owner was present at the 1st Annual Medical Cannabis conference at Harvard Medical School (in April 2016) and he was 1 of less than a handful that were present for all of Arizona. This conference was for the medical advancement of cannabis and to reveal the medical research and scientific studies and progress being done in the treatment of epilepsy, autism, Alzheimer's, cancer, brain & mitochondria disease, brain injury, migraines, arthritis, diabetes, substance abuse of opioid and prescription drugs; just to name a few. It is important to realize the intent of this dispensary owner and understand how that intent and his way of doing business are unique and valuable to our community. I would happy to share some of the footage and presentations from this monumental conference that was held at Harvard Medical School. • As most of us that follow the OV retail sale campaigns and fiscal budget discussion know; Oro Valley is need of retail tax dollars. I have included the document off of the www.orovalleyaz.gov/business regarding "showing support for local businesses and helping to maintain your quality of life in Oro Valley that discusses the huge role that sales tax plays as a major revenue source for the town of Oro Valley. If you google articles that outline the tax revenue and benefits from medical marijuana sales you will see a plethora of studies and research that indicates with certainty how this revenue stream has improved communities and the lives of the citizens that reside in them. We would be foolish as a community to not partner with Catalina to contribute to their growth and revenue and we would be direct benefactors of that growth. • Currently the hours are so restrictive that patients who work normal business hours and reside in Oro Valley have to drive outside OV to another dispensary to get their medication because of the restrictive hours. I don't have to drive outside of Oro Valley to obtain my medications from Walgreens or CVS. The same goes for care givers who work normal business hours and then get home to take the patient that they are caring for to get their medication. It seems absurd that we have to drive outside of our community and place our dollars towards another community's budget and growth. As I reviewed documents for the city council meeting, I noticed that we are considering postponing our 1st debt payment on the El Conquistador which is another indication that we need to partner for mutual growth with this business. • As an advocate, I am very familiar with the ins and outs of this industry and unfortunately it is the minority of dispensary owners who are truly and genuinely focused and dedicated to the patients and the community that they do business in. Fortunately for Oro Valley, the owner of Catalina Care is part of that minority and this is why we need to embrace and truly partner with this business for the betterment of our community. As we all know, if a business is not generating enough revenue to operate efficiently they will suffer and not have growth and possibly risk closure which would then mean that another business owner who sees this as just a money making opportunity could come into our community and carry out their less than ethical intentions in their pursuit of profits over people. • Mr. Cottrell and I have discussed at length projects and involvement in the community to truly help educate our community, be a socially responsible business partner and even contribute and donate to our community. Mr. Cottrell has demonstrated that he has a genuine interest in bettering our community and helping it grow and being on what I call "the good side" of this movement. Thank . • or yo e, Ad° Monica L J Ismay If you would like to email me with any questions or to inquire about information that I discussed; I can be reached via email at The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 1 of 11 %kJ What's Happening The Patients Room Consultation Education Get Involved Dor Our Mission The Benefits of Cannabis and H it Helps the Sick and Eld Perspective fromSt. JudesRetreat M a V 5 •2014. £..A-`,..Y f`..1.. May --,19eckea/c&aii n (A4 11.4.1No ASK AN EX •' a(�." Jr�r�c«ttr.�r 3 M y ✓ �. , err/raicnn/.vii hoc;3rrirrcx/frig/Nia/ lieweA o/ el,t4.F,i,ata/Xiu u4 ran 3orrr ad 4'4E1 C 0 T C .r/i/r 4/lm,'k,,/.,nit/irn#d/�j,ari/i.�lJvhl- - mPrr/isi,amd/rair,-;nme174febil"r r'/f. {� r Y�' y may Gr/WI//r'alfa y ehrr:nir cull-raw- yyy;. rrre.ad,ain.(.P/W////11l17 and itau-rrr•e(ttc!icw/ t., "�"-'�""" • eietwiff//rrrr�.y.2 r/rrrtr I/Itri I/4'air/In f`�` Your e m a i JOIN of I grew up in the 70's with my father who was constantly getting high on marijuana and spending all the monies he had on weed. My mother would crochet and make crafts just to put food on the table, handmade our clothes and did what she had to do just so we could survive.She even went barefoot so that my sister and I could have shoes on our feet. My father was irresponsible in every sense of the word. I had no respect for him and for always putting his marijuana http://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016 The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 2 of 11 first. I had so much hurt and anger inside of me,that I would deliberately search the house and garage for his Dosing stash and misplace his drugs on purpose.When I was fl ot t eleven years old, I got the courage to flush a gallon bag of his marijuana down the toilet. St . - As a young girl,and later as a young woman, I could never see the positives in marijuana because most of ttWch my life, all I had seen was the negative effects it had (32-3p co-8730 -until now. I did some research and realized that I was misinformed about marijuana and that the"Reefer Madness" mentality I had all along was wrong. I saw 1*, that it was not just being used as a recreational drug, but that this wonderful plant had so many useful _ benefits! I was being told by friends,family members,and even co-workers about their parents,grandparents,aunts, uncles and _ even their siblings taking I A ;t',114. For us, cannabis in " . - • --, some form to 0. - • black help with their . 4- „.. chronic illnesses,pain, PTSD (Post- MarysiS Traumatic Stress Disorder),and to help ease the side effects of chemotherapy. I spent hours reading through articles and watching documentaries. I became dumbfounded but yet so very excited about the • positive benefits that Cannabis provided.Cannabis has become a safe alternative drug that has been treating and curing people of all ages-from children to the elderly— who have a variety of illnesses and disorders such as sleeping disorders,eating conditions,skin problems,seizures,and cancer. http://unitedpatientsgroun.com/blog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016 The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 3 of 11 Cannabis has been being used by man for centuries. Dating back to 2000BC,the Chinese have used cannabis as an anti-inflammatory to help with rheumatoid arthritis. In western medicine,as early as the 1700's, it was used as a way to treat musclo- skeletal pain,and, in folk medicine,it was used as a remedy for cancerous ulcers and tumors. There are different strains of marijuana and 11111 1111 each has a special use. There is the indica strain which helps with sleeping problems,pain and provides a feeling of calmness.The saliva strain infuses one's body with energy and helps stimulate appetite.There are many ways of taking marijuana besides smoking it. It comes as tincture with drops which are placed under the tongue, comes as an ointment or cream for arthritis,can be baked in foods such as cookies,muffins,and brownies,as oil for the control of seizures, and in so many more useful ways. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),from 2002-2008, the number of those using marijuana tripled among those aged 55 to 59 years old.Young people are no longer the primary ones using marijuana: it is now the baby boomers who are retiring from work, encountering the aches and pains of old age, and remembering the beneficial qualities of marijuana use. There are so many elderly who are taking prescription medications with the resulting side effects such as nausea, seizures,and http://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016 The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 4 of 11 emotional 404 problems. '414. Some senior .474,1 d 1,utot -.is, citizens are being - overmedicated due to their physicians prescribing them additional drugs to help with the side effects of their initial prescriptions. But now,doctors,advocates,and the elderly themselves have discovered the wonders of cannabis and what it can do.They are no longer feeling sick and tired and have realized that they can get by with fewer medications or with no narcotics use at all. Cannabis is helping seniors to cope with ailments such as the following: • Reduced appetite • Low energy • Insomnia • Mental confusion • Pain associated with inflammation of joints and stiffness of limbs • Agitation from degenerative and/or dementia related diseases • Glaucoma Dr. Robert Melamede,an associate professor at the University of Colorado,testified as an expert witness in a Canadian court that the cannabinoids in marijuana "staves off inflammation and delays the onset of auto- immune diseases, inhibits the formation of Alzheimer's disease and can help treat or even cure some types of cancer.Cannabinoids have curative or at least palliative properties." He also stated that cannabis is safer than aspirin and it restores balance in our bodies to help fight illnesses. Israeli professors Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni worked with THC,the active ingredient of httn://unitedoatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helns... 5/19/2016 p The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 5 of 11 cannabis,and what it was capable of doing in the health support of senior citizens.These researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel decided to do a study with 19 residents from the Hadarim Nursing Home. The residents ranged in age from 69 to 101 years old and all were suffering from different chronic ailments such as chronic pain, muscle spasms,loss of appetite, and tremors. In this study,they all were treated with medical cannabis in various forms of vapor,powder,oil, and smoke three times a day for a year.Staff from the nursing home and the researchers monitored them for signs of improvement in their conditions and for their quality of life. 17 patients achieved and/or maintained a healthy weight, reduced their muscle spasms,tremors, pain and stiffness in their joints.Almost all of the patients who used cannabis actually slept longer and better.Those who had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)found cannabis use helped with reducing their flashbacks and nightmares. Researchers also noticed that there was a decline in both the number and dosage of some of the prescribed medications patients were taking including pain relievers,mood stabilizers,and anti-psychotics. 72%of the patients ended up reducing http://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016 The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 6 of 11 their medication intake by an average of 1.7 meds per day. To sum it all up,cannabis (marijuana) has so many useful benefits for mankind. It seems so unfair that the elderly and sick that are in nursing homes and hospitals, are being t;:411/ prohr •ted N �• �' - i�F r from using s ', cannabis to relieve .. • fi• r; .. their -� • � • -ei4; - ailments i`�(�'�`t:, h. and4 r suffering. This is due to fear. Fear of facilities losing federal funds, fear of judgment and stigma of allowing cannabis use among the elderly,and on the federal level with it being illegal.According to worldwide research,there are indications that further experimental opportunities should be more available with targeted populations including the terminally ill,those with chronic or intractable conditions,and the elderly.These groups are likely to show the most benefits from cannabis use, but who also have the fewest alternative options available and least options for misuse.There are currently marijuana advocates that are trying to get marijuana classified as a Schedule 1 drug so it can be used to help those in need. It would be wonderful to see more doctors, hospitals,nursing home organizations, and our federal government to give patients the choice to have medical marijuana as an option-just like any other medication. Bio: The above is a guest post by Brenda Abbott,Executive if - Assistant at Saint Jude Retreats,an http://unitedpatientsgroup.comlblog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016 "[he Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 7 of 11 alternative to SAINT." U DE traditional substance RI. use treatment.Saint Jude Retreats provides a program for people with substance use problems that concentrates on self-directed positive and permanent change. Through the program, we offer the opportunity for individuals to self-evaluate and explore avenues for life enhancement. Resources Rannals, L. (2013,January 24). Marijuana's medicinal value vindicated once again,this time for the elderly [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.redorbit.cominews/health/1112770306/medicinal- benefits-ofmarijuana-elderly. St.Pierre,A. (2012, November 3). Norml's eleven surprising things about marijuana that seniors need to know[Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blog.norml.org/2012/11/03/normis-eleven- surprising-things-about-marijuana-that-seniors-need- to-know/. Medical marijuana and aging[Web log message]. (unknown,unknown unknown). Retrieved from http://medicalmarijuana.com/experts/expert/title.cfm? artl D=826 Aghajanian, L. (2013,August 23).Why the elderly should get marijuana [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.alternet.org/drugs/why-elderly- should-get-marijuana Unknown. (unknown). Cannabis use in nursing homes- an emerging issue[Web log message]. Retrieved from http://berkeleypatientscare.com/2011/12/13/cannabis- use-in-nursing-homes-an-emerging-L. http://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016 The Benefits of Cannabis and How it Helps the Sick and Elderly: A Perspective from St. ... Page 8 of 11 Gomez,G. (2010, February 23). Marijuana smoking on rise for seniors [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://patients4medicalmarlivana.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/marijuana- smoking-on-rise-for-seniors/ Unknown.(2013, May 27). Medical marijuana helps seniors sleep,contend with other problems of aging [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2013/05/271- marijuana-helps-seniors-sleep-c.. 1 Debunkinl t ; - The MMJ Interestinl • ' Demograr Rise of Seniors within Medical Marijuana ?ci;1.2 Drew 1ri 8, Bright Wait til they see how effective it is for Alzheimer's and Diabetes!! htto://unitednatientseroun.com/blo2/2014/05/05/the-benefits-of-cannabis-and-how-it-helps... 5/19/2016