Blog

Holiday Food Drive at Patriot Care

This holiday season, we hope you’ll join us in giving back to the community and helping those in need. We’re excited to announce this year’s Holiday Food Drive, supporting the Merrimack Valley Food Bank (Lowell collections) and the Greater Boston Food Bank (Boston collections).

To show our appreciation for your support, we’ll give you $5 off your purchase* for every 5 canned goods or nonperishable items you donate between now and 12/20.

College Students Can Now Major in Medical Marijuana

As regulated medical marijuana programs continue to expand around the country, the next generation of cannabis professionals are eager to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the industry. Although a number of cannabis-focused training programs have emerged, there hasn’t been an undergraduate degree available in the medical cannabis field until now. Washington Post reports on the first-ever medical marijuana major, offered by Northern Michigan University:

The program, Medicinal Plant Chemistry, is the first program to offer a 4-year undergraduate degree focusing on marijuana, according to Brandon Canfield, the associate professor of chemistry who started the program.

“When my friends hear what my major is, there are a lot of people who laugh and say, ‘wow. Cool dude. You’re going to get a degree growing marijuana,’” Roth told The Washington Post. “But it’s not an easy degree at all.”

The former environmental studies major won’t be getting high in class or growing his own plants. Instead, his required courses include tough subjects such as organic chemistry, plant physiology, botany, accounting, genetics, physical geography and financial management.

Given the wide range of challenging tasks our team performs each day, we have no doubt that a well-designed curriculum in the cannabis field would be quite rigorous. Although interest in medical cannabis careers has increased dramatically in recent years, some may not realize the complexity of the skill sets necessary to operate a professional cannabis business. Advanced technology, high-level retail management, and sophisticated security protocols just scratch the surface of the multi-disciplinary expertise many positions in this field require.

As state-regulated programs around the country continue to redefine best practices for patient care in the cannabis industry, demand for quality academic programs focused on cannabis is likely to increase substantially. Public support for medical marijuana is at an all-time high and it would be wise for educational institutions to expect that some of their brightest students will be eager to explore this exciting field as part of their career planning.

Study Finds Many Cancer Patients Use Medical Marijuana But Want More Information

A recently published study highlights some very interesting data about the use of medical marijuana in cancer treatment:

One of the most well-known purported uses for medical marijuana is to alleviate symptoms related to cancer treatment, and a new study finds that use of the drug among cancer patients is not uncommon.

In the study, which included more than 900 cancer patients in Seattle, nearly one-quarter reported using medical marijuana in the past year. In addition, almost all the participants said they wanted to learn more about medical marijuana, according to the study, published today (Sept. 25) in the journal Cancer. [LiveScience]

On the surface, the researchers’ findings may seem intuitive. It’s well-known that many cancer patients have turned to medical marijuana for help alleviating their symptoms and cancer ranks among the most widely approved qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in states where its use is legal. Further, it comes as no surprise that patients treating a serious condition with a complex range of symptoms would be eager to learn more about any available treatment option.

The study’s results, however, also point towards a couple important topics in the broader discussion surrounding medical marijuana’s role in promoting public health. First, the authors report that “Legalization significantly increased the likelihood of use in more than half of the respondents,” demonstrating the importance of regulated medical marijuana programs in making this treatment option available to patients in need. The ability to access quality-controlled products in a safe and secure environment has long been a priority for patients considering cannabis as a treatment option. Efforts to establish responsibly run medical marijuana programs will continue to expand access for these patients and it’s important for all stakeholders to understand the critical role such programs play in ensuring that anyone living with a serious illness has this option available to them.

It’s also interesting to note the significant percentage of patients who stated that they’d appreciate receiving more information about medical cannabis from their doctors. The researchers stated that “Cancer patients desire but are not receiving information about cannabis use during their treatment from oncology providers.” This finding is consistent with the experiences many patients have shared with us regarding the difficulty of finding medical practitioners who are familiar with medical cannabis treatment. We’ve certainly had the pleasure of getting to know many superb physicians who’ve worked to educate their patients about cannabis, but it’s true that some practitioners have more experience in this area than others.

This issue highlights the importance of expanding clinical research so that all medical practitioners have access to extensive empirical data that informs the guidance they provide to patients. Collaboration between cannabis providers and healthcare institutions can also play an important role in bridging knowledge gaps where they exist and ensuring that all patients receive comprehensive information upon which to base their treatment decisions. Columbia Care is already developing such partnerships and we believe our efforts will play an important role in advancing cannabis science to better serve patients and practitioners in the years to come.

Monday / Wednesday Sweeps 2017

OFFICIAL RULES FOR PATRIOT CARE 2017 MONDAY / WEDNESDAY SWEEPSTAKES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. RECEIVE ADDITIONAL ENTRIES EACH TIME YOU MAKE A PURCHASE OF SPECIFIED PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS.

OPEN TO MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE VALID REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND ARE 18 YEARS OR OLDER AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE LAWS.

EMPLOYEES OF PATRIOT CARE, AFFILATED COMPANY EMPLOYEES, ITS ADVERTISING OR PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES AND MEMBERS OF THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES OR HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ENTER.

By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the interpretations and decisions, which are binding and final on matters relating to the Official Rules and this Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

HOW TO ENTER:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO RECEIVE ONE FREE ENTRY. Customers may receive additional entries through the following promotional efforts:

Entry period begins at start of business on November 6, 2017 and closes at close of business on November 22, 2017.

One free entry per patient, no purchase necessary (limit 1 entry per sweepstakes period)
One additional entry for each purchase of $150 or more after all other offers, discounts, or coupons (limit 1 entry per day through purchase)
Bonus entries may be awarded through other promotions during the period
Entries received before or after the Entry Period will not be eligible. Incomplete entries will not be eligible.

Entries generated by script, macro, or other automated means are void.

All entries become the property of Patriot Care and will not be acknowledged or returned.

See dispensary for official sweeps rules and prize details. Prizes will be non-medicated accessories.

DRAWING: One Monday winner and one Wednesday winner at each dispensary will be selected at random from all eligible entries received at that dispensary during the Event Days. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winners must be in good standing with MA Medical Marijuana Program and adhere to State of Massachusetts Regulations and Possession Limits.

NOTICE TO WINNERS: Patriot Care will notify the potential winner by telephone or email if the potential winner is not present at the time of the drawing. If a potential winner declines, or does not fulfill the requirements for the award of the prize, an alternate potential winner will be selected by random drawing.

PRIZE: One Monday winner and one Wednesday winner at each dispensary will receive a pre-selected accessory.

RETAIL VALUE OF PRIZE IS ESTIMATED AT A MAXIMUM OF $200 PER WINNER. The winner may not substitute, assign, or transfer prize or redeem prize for cash. Credits are valid for in-stock merchandise. No cash value and no cash will be issued if full credit is not used. The winner is responsible for all taxes in connection with his/her prize. Patriot Care reserves the right to substitute the prize with a prize of equal or greater value if the advertised prize becomes unavailable.

USE OF INFORMATION: Patriot Care will use data about entrants obtained in connection with the entry into the Sweepstakes for the administration of the Sweepstakes and otherwise in accordance with Patriot Care’s privacy policy. By submitting an entry, entrant agrees to such use of personal data.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Releasees (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, undelivered, garbled, or illegible entries; failures or difficulties, or other errors of any kind, whether human, mechanical, electronic, or network; or the incorrect or inaccurate capture of entry or other information, or the failure to capture any such information. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes, as solely determined by Patriot Care, will be disqualified. Should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Patriot Care’s sole opinion, compromised by unauthorized human intervention or other causes, which, in the sole opinion of Patriot Care, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, Patriot Care reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify, or terminate the Sweepstakes and select the winner from all eligible, non suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Patriot Care.

Entrants, by participating, agree that Patriot Care and its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, and all their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, and agents (collectively, the “Releasees”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind, including death, to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of the prize or participation in this Sweepstakes.

Each winner, by acceptance of the prize, except where legally prohibited, grants permission for Patriot Care and its designees to use his/her name, address (city and state), photograph, voice, and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, trade, and promotional purposes without further compensation, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the Internet and World Wide Web, in perpetuity, without notice or review or approval.

Patriot Care may require the potential winner to sign separate written agreements confirming the agreements, releases, and permissions described above. In addition, the winner agrees to sign releases, assumption of risk, and other agreements and documents required by Patriot Care.

WINNER’S NAME: For privacy reasons, we will not publicly release the name of the Sweepstakes winner. For questions, please contact Patriot Care.

FDA Requests Public Comments on the Benefits of CBD

Patients using CBD-rich cannabis products to treat their conditions regularly share their positive experiences with our staff, including reductions in anxiety, inflammation, chronic pain, seizures and more. We’ve been excited to hear about the benefits our patients have discovered and we’re excited to report that the FDA is now requesting public comment regarding CBD as it prepares to submit policy recommendations to the World Health Organization:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting interested persons to submit comments concerning abuse potential, actual abuse, medical usefulness, trafficking, and impact of scheduling changes on availability for medical use of 17 drug substances. These comments will be considered in preparing a response from the United States to the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the abuse liability and diversion of these drugs. WHO will use this information to consider whether to recommend that certain international restrictions be placed on these drugs. This notice requesting comments is required by the Controlled Substances Act (the CSA). … Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. CBD has been shown to be beneficial in experimental models of several neurological disorders, including those of seizure and epilepsy. In the United States, CBD-containing products are in human clinical testing in three therapeutic areas, but no such products are approved by FDA for marketing for medical purposes in the United States. CBD is a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA. [Regulations.gov]

Anyone wishing to participate can do so by clicking here. If you’ve benefitted from using CBD products, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to share your perspective. The site has already received hundreds of testimonials from patients discussing their experience with the medicinal benefits of CBD:

“CBD has been very effective in treating my anxiety. I am a more productive and happy person as a result. I have not experienced any side effects and am still very alert. More people need access to CBD.” “I have been using CBD to treat mild anxiety and severe chronic stomach pain. It’s almost like magic with how it makes me feel. The pain or anxiety is lifted and I’m felt feeling back to normal. The best thing about CBD is that it doesn’t alter my state of mind, it just makes my mind at ease and pushes all my symptoms aside.” “I have been using CBD oil for my anxiety and depression for two years now, and CBD has done nothing but positives for me. Any time I feel anxious I have been consuming the oil and within the hour feel almost completely relieved. There have been absolutely no side effects no matter how much CBD oil is consumed. My mother also tried CBD oil for her back and neck pain at my recommendation. Typical pain medications did not alleviate her back pain, her doctor could not identify the source of her pain or treat it and her chiropractor could only help so much. A few days after taking the CBD tincture she reported almost no back pain and could move her neck freely again without pain.”

If you’re interested in participating, you must submit your comments by September 13, 2017. Also, please note that your online comments can be submitted anonymously if you prefer. Sharing your experiences as a patient is an important step towards demonstrating the public health benefits of well-regulated medical cannabis programs.

Blog

Footer