SAFE ACCESS, AND SAFER STREETS

The Citizen Collective Proposes a Place to Distribute Medical
Marijuana Legally, While Working With the Community

Recently, considerable attention has been given to medical marijuana
in Chico, throughout California, and across the nation. Communities
and citizens are debating important issues such as patient rights,
safe access, medical standards, business taxation, local zoning,
cultivation regulations, and community safety, to name just a few.

As I see it, the main question today is this: How can the city of
Chico best provide safe and affordable access to medical marijuana
for patients who choose alternative medicine and protect our
community? I believe I have the answer.

The Citizen Collective, of which I am the executive director, is a
proposed medical cannabis-dispensing collective (MCDC). My team and I
have spent hundreds of hours researching "best practices" while
engaging many different cities--many the size of Chico--about how
they successfully regulate collectives. Today, in California,
hundreds of storefront dispensing collectives exist throughout our state.

A responsible, community-oriented MCDC like the Citizen Collective
can, when working within regulations established by a proactive city
like Chico, provide patients access to the medicine they need and
safeguard our community. In order for this to happen the city of
Chico must draft an ordinance regulating medicinal-cannabis
cultivation and distribution.

MCDCs that work in tandem with their neighborhood, community and
local law enforcement reduce crime, reduce the need for patients to
grow medicine in their back yards, and provide patients with
high-quality medicine that is tested and safe. Medical cannabis has
been legal in California for more than 13 years; patients deserve to
get their medicine in a safe and comfortable environment, much like a
pharmacy, deal with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, and live
their lives with dignity.

The Citizen Collective will invest in high security that ensures
patient safety, including appropriate lighting, security cameras and
a private security guard. Only qualified patients with a doctor's
recommendation and a California ID will be allowed to enter the
collective. We will follow all rules and regulations provided by the
city of Chico. We also will conduct community-outreach projects that
actively promote health and wellness for patients and community members.

The Citizen Collective is working closely with the Chico City
Council, city staff, local leaders, the medical community, and
patients to create a standard of which we can be proud.