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compassion club
DCHP-2 (Aug 2012)
n. — Urban culture
a community-based, non-profit organization which dispenses medical marijuana, either free or at discounted prices.
Type: 5. Frequency — The term is used predominantly in Canada (see Chart 1). Canada's oldest and largest organization, the British Columbia Compassion Club, was founded in 1997 and has provided the model for other clubs across Canada (see the first 1997 quotation). See also BCCCS reference.
See also COD-2, s.v. "compassion club", which is marked "Cdn".
See also COD-2, s.v. "compassion club", which is marked "Cdn".
Quotations
1995
Todd McCormick sits in an Ohio jail charged with possessing 14 kilograms of marijuana, eagerly awaiting the day when he can resume giving away the drug. McCormick and his girlfriend were arrested driving from San Diego to Providence, R.I., to start a "compassion club" for seriously ill people who use marijuana to dull their pain.
1997
For months, members of the Compassion Club have been quietly distributing marijuana free or at reduced rates to sick people throughout the Vancouver area.
1997
The service would be modelled on the Compassion Club of Vancouver which makes marijuana available to persons whose doctors provide written confirmation that their patients are being treated for cancer, AIDS or multiple sclerosis.
1999
The non-profit Compassion Club organization, located on Vancouver's popular Commercial Drive, dispenses marijuana at low prices to those who produce a doctor's certificate prescribing the drug for medical purposes.
2002
Buors is the founder of the Manitoba Compassion Club, an organization that sells pot to people with a medical need for the drug.
2013
In 2011, Anderson was running a compassion club out of a storefront, which he had as a licensed business with the City. He was selling medical marijuana products, however, which was not permitted.
2015
Regulations for medical marijuana-related businesses
Key points of the regulations
Medical marijuana-related businesses are only allowed to operate:
1. In commercial zones
2. At least 300 m from:
Schools*
Community centers*
Neighbourhood houses*
Youth facilities that serve vulnerable youth
Other marijuana-related businesses*
* Similar to the 1,000-foot distance required in Washington and Colorado states
3. With a business licence (the licence fee is $1,000 for compassion clubs or $30,000 for medical marijuana-related retail dealers)
4. With a development permit that includes a standard community notification process
5. With a signed good neighbour agreement
References
- BCCCS • "About Us"
- COD-2
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