GROUP BRAINSTORMS WAYS TO PROVIDE POT TO AIDS PATIENTS

Marijuana Is Said to Ease Side Effects of Medications

The Palm Springs AIDS Medical Marijuana Patient Group met for the
first time on Saturday.

The group consisted of 15 Coachella Valley residents, patients and
dispensary owners all exchanging ideas on how to help provide
much-needed medical marijuana to these types of patients at a low
cost or as a no-cost option.

Many AIDS patients use medical marijuana to help curb side effects -
such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite - caused by their medications.

Unfortunately, some patients live on such limited incomes they cannot
afford the cost of medical marijuana, which can add up to around $200
a week, group members said.

"I'm here because if you want things done, you have to stand up and
take action," medical marijuana user Larz Neilsen said.

Saturday's meeting, held at Crystal Fantasy, 266 N. Palm Canyon
Drive, was productive, as several plans were set into motion.

A few projects the group discussed:

Hosting an information and donation booth at the Palm Springs
VillageFest on Thursday nights.

Approaching the Palm Springs City Council to see about using the old
police stables behind City Hall for a community medical marijuana garden.

Asking local dispensaries to commit a certain amount of medical
marijuana each month that would be donated to patients.

Making low-cost edible options such as salad dressings and spices.

Stacy Hochanadel, owner of CannaHelp, a medical marijuana dispensary
in Palm Springs, attended the meeting and offered to assist the group
in its search for a suitable area to start a garden.

Lenny Ozar, owner of Hazy Colitas Dispensary in Thousand Palms and a
medical marijuana user, said he understands the financial dilemma
medical marijuana users can face.

"I can relate to how important medical marijuana is when you are
suffering from an illness. I used it when I was battling bladder
cancer, and it gets expensive," Ozar said.

"I came out here to offer fair prices, good product and be all about
the patients," he added.

Patients would have to pass a financial "means" test to be eligible
to receive the donated or discounted drugs.

A few members voiced concerns about the legality of such a plan, but
meeting leaders focused on the group's main goal of finding ways to
help AIDS/HIV patients.

The dispensary debate has been a hot-button issue in valley cities
for the past five years.

Palm Springs is the only city in the valley to issue permits for
dispensaries to operate.

The city has three dispensaries that operate legally within its limits.