FIRST TIME ALL FOUR NY MEDICAL CANNABIS ORGANIZATIONS UNDER ONE ROOF

DATE: Tuesday, January 31st, 2017, 6:30-8:30 PM

LOCATION: District CoWork, 1204 Broadway, New York, NY, 10001

Please join the Cannabis Cultural Association (CCA) as we kick-off the New Year with “The Compassionate Care Act: Where Are We Now 2 Years Later?” We have invited all 4 registered medical cannabis organizations (dispensaries), and the New York Department of Health (DOH), to share their trials and tribulations of the past and present, and hopes for the future. CCA will also be announcing a new spring/summer community health and wellness program, done in conjunction with the dispensaries, targeting the elderly population to help bring in more patients. Dr. Bernard Lee will lead a panel discussion Dr. Stephen Dahmer from Vireo Health, Hillary Peckham co-founder of Etain, LLC, Nelson G. Cuevas Rph of PharmaCannis, and Tricia Reed PharmD the lead pharmacists of Columbia Care NY. The event will end with an audience Q&A.

“Medical cannabis as a valid and safe treatment for qualified New Yorkers is a topic shrouded by misinformation,” says Dr. Stephen Dahmer. “We are excited to participate in any educational activity directed at dispelling myths and misunderstandings and hopefully decreasing barriers for patients that could utilize medical cannabis to safely alleviate their pain and suffering.”

Seniors are the fastest growing demographic of cannabis users. The community health and wellness program will target the senior population, by holding events in safe spaces such as community centers and churches. There we can educate them on the benefits of cannabis and even start their registration process onsite. Currently, the program has almost 11,000 registered patients and about 750 registered physicians. While the numbers have grown, it’s nowhere near some estimates of 400,000 eligible patients. It’s been slow because patients don’t have access to a list of eligible physicians. Only physicians do. The state has also only allowed up to 20 dispensaries, 17 of which are open. Most have limited hours of operations on limited days. This leaves many people to travel hours for their medicine, or find caregivers to do so.

The Department of Health announced it would make several needed recommendations. They are adding chronic pain to the list of qualifying ailments and are allowing nursing assistants and physician assistants to make recommendations. Advocates say changes are happening too slowly. But, the RO’s warn that more dispensaries, or more ROs, will only flood the market making it harder to stay in business.

As always, light food and beverage will be served, and were provided by the Law Offices of Joseph A. Bondy. The event is $25 – $30. Tickets can be bought at Eventbrite.com. Members of the press can join for free.

About the CCA
The Cannabis Cultural Association strives to involve underrepresented communities in the legal cannabis/hemp industry, by providing informational workshops, cultural programs, and community events with an emphasis on issues disproportionately affecting communities of color: access to medical cannabis, adult use legalization, and criminal justice reform.

Media Contact
Leland Radovanovic
845-200-5249
[email protected]

With Panelist & Women Grow Member: Etain Health / Hillary Peckham

Hillary Peckham co-founded Etain, LLC, the only women-owned business to receive one of the five competitive medical marijuana licenses in New York State. When awarded the license at 24 years old, this made Hillary the youngest person to ever receive one a competitive marijuana license in the Unites States. Hillary and her co-founders built an application and operations strategy founded on small-scale, deliverable plans with room to grow and a commitment to economic development as well as quality of life for patients in New York State. Etain opened its dispensaries to patients within five months of being awarded a license, and is the second company to open all four of its allocated dispensing locations around New York State. In addition to her role as owner, Hillary is the Chief Operating Officer and oversees all operations for Etain, LLC at their manufacturing facility and 4 dispensing locations. She is the acting spokeswoman for the company as well as liaison between Etain, LLC and the NYS Department of Health.