NETA Now: Issue 1

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No.

T H E C H A N G I N G FAC E O F CA N N A B I S 1

There’s more to it than getting high.

Each person that walks through the doors at NETA has a unique relationship

with

cannabis.

It’s

important that their stories are heard. This is NETA Now.

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1

No.

March 2019

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NETA Now is a publication of New England Treatment Access. Our goal is to bring better health to the people of Massachusetts and beyond by providing lab-tested, cuttingedge cannabis therapies in an inviting, safe environment.

NORTHAMPTON 118 Conz Street Just Off Route 91

8am - 10pm daily

ď‚™

BROOKLINE 160 Washington Street At the corner of Rt. 9 and Washington - Brookline Village Monday-Friday

Saturday & Sunday

10am - 10pm

9am - 10pm

Follow us on Twitter @NETACareMass for daily menus, NETA News, product updates, and more.

Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older or persons holding a patient registration card. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks.

Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product.

KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of edible marijuana may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.

PRODUCED BY

PRINTED BY

Mat Dubord

AM Litho

Kevin Alves Victor Janczar

C O N TAC T

Jenn Whinnem

Suggestions, love letters and hate

Mikayla Bell

mail to: contact@netacare.org

Eddie Benjamin all who were photographed

N E TA N OW

and interviewed

is a publication of New England

and you

Treatment Access - the best in the art and science of cannabis

W W W. N E TACA R E .O R G 4

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N E TA CA R E S

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D AV I D N A R K E W I C Z

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THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

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DIY EDIBLES

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LESLIE LAURIE

This is how we’re showing it

Meet the mayor of Northampton

No matter what your thing is

Infused Salted Caramel Apples, a recipe

Increasing access to marijuana is a health justice issue. That’s how lifelong activist Leslie Laurie got involved with NETA.

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M E D I CA L | R EC R E AT I O N A L

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VETERAN STORIES

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

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BY THE NUMBERS

Just the facts

There’s hope in cannabis for many veterans

Meet NETA patients, Zeke and Daniel

NETA stats

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Chris Palames & Judy Kimberly DISABILITY ACTIVISTS N E TA PAT I E N T & CA R EG I V E R

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N E TA C A R E S

Helping the most vulnerable members of our communities is important to us.

As part of our dedication and service to our community, we run NETA Cares. NETA Cares organizes a robust rotating calendar of community charity drives and events by collecting food items and goods, contributing dollars, and donating our time.

414 PA I R S O F S H O E S

A half-ton of shoes for Cancer Connection, an organization offering programs and support free-of-charge to men, women, and children living with a cancer diagnosis.

216lbs of keys to Keys for Hope which were sold and melted down creating 750 free meals for Greater Boston Food Bank.

2,100 POUNDS OF FOOD

750 FREE MEALS

200+ lbs of food for MSPCA-Angell, (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center). $650+ worth of food for Kane’s Krusade 1000+ lbs of food and toiletries for Rosie’s Place 300+ lbs of food for Hurricane Maria relief for Puerto Rico via Western Massachusetts United.

Ongoing donations to the Brookline Community Foundation.

$1 for every patient who made a purchase at NETA towards Hurricane Harvey relief.

A $1,000 scholarship to UMASS Amherst’s Jazz in July program for one student.

3,283 MILES

$8,000 I N D O N AT I O N S

We also walked, ran, and biked in the Walk for Hunger, Gillian Reny Stepping Strong challenge, the Fenway Park Marathon and others, to benefit Brookline Mental Health Foundation, Brookline Education Foundation, Brookline Library, Brookline Teen Center, Brookline Symphony Orchestra, the Western MA Food Bank and more.

N E TA IS HE LP IN G

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DAVID NARKEWICZ What Would Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz Do with a Bar?

Tuesday, November 20, 2018, was a historic occasion at NETA’s facility in Northampton, Massachusetts, for three reasons.

First, it was the first day marijuana could be legally sold in the state for adult use. Second, NETA Northampton was one of only two dispensaries that had licenses to sell it.

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And third, the first customer in line to

Yes, you read that right. Not only did a

buy it at NETA wasn’t just anybody. It was

government official make the first purchase, he did

Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, and

so surrounded by reporters and camera crews. It

for that historic purchase, he bought a choc-

was an event. Narkewicz made national news (as

olate bar containing 50mg of THC.

did the first-time purchaser at a store in Leicester, an Iraq War veteran named Stephen Mandile).

You’d probably think Narkewicz--a long-term advocate of marijuana legalization--would eat

If you’re still surprised by the mayor’s

that chocolate bar. After all, this was the mo-

participation, then you don’t know Northampton:

ment he’d been waiting for and working toward

a city celebrated for its artistic and cultural

for 3 years. Surely he would take a moment

diversity. It’s home to a large LGBTQ community,

to pause and savor his delicious victory?

a politically progressive majority, and countless musicians, artists, filmmakers, and countercultural

Actually, no.

idealists. Northampton voters voted way above the state average on both medical marijuana

Instead of eating the chocolate bar, Narkewicz

legalization (75%) and adult use (70%).

said he plans to frame it. (Because history.)

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Actually, Mayor Narkewicz has been integral to bringing marijuana to Northampton

As Narkewicz told us, “The feedback I’ve received from people who have benefitted from having

The sale of marijuana for adult-use was

access to medical marijuana without the stigma

legalized in November 2016 with the support

has been incredible. It ranges from people dealing

of Northampton and communities across the

with cancer to our very large veteran population

Commonwealth, and then it was October 2018

here in Northampton — veterans dealing with

when the state issued its first licenses.

PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. And of course, people who have been able to move away from

But medical marijuana was legalized in MA

opioids with the help of medical marijuana.”

in 2012, one year after Narkewicz was elected as mayor. He’s played an integral role in

Narkewicz is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and

laying the foundation to make Northampton

the Massachusetts Air National Guard himself,

a cannabis-friendly city. Rather than pushing

so the issue has been important to him. Of

marijuana dispensaries to the fringes of the

course, legalizing marijuana brings enormous

city, he treated them the same as any other

economic opportunity to the city. He believes

retail business like bookstores or restaurants.

the sale of marijuana will not only increase revenue to Northampton, but also attract new

His de-stigmatization strategy has worked.

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business and growth in the community.

Narkewicz has a long history of working alongside NETA, and recognizes our

“ Now we’re bringing it out of the shadows.”

contribution to the local community.

“NETA has been incredibly involved in the local community from day one,” Narkewicz told us. “It has shown itself to be a really solid business that’s committed to what it does and how it does it — and does it safely with a loyal customer base that’s well-informed.”

For all of these reasons, we were proud to invite the mayor to be our very first first adult use customer. Who better to be part of history than someone who’s been such a tenacious advocate for legalizing marijuana?

According to the Boston Globe, Narkewicz told reporters present at NETA’s first adult-use sale, “I’m proud to have been the first person to make [a] purchase. I think it sends a symbolic message that an elected official is giving credibility to this industry that for years … has been stigmatized.

Now we’re bringing it out of the shadows.”

As for that chocolate bar he bought?

Narkewicz says he plans to donate it to Northampton’s historical society. And that’s what the mayor of Northampton does with a (marijuana) chocolate bar.

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Many of NETA’s medical marijuana patients are not looking to get high at all, opting for a range of CBD products, from capsules to suppositories to relieve a number of symptoms

Now there’s so much more available in the marijuana realm.

relating to epilepsy, nausea, anxiety and more.

Recreational use is now legal (for adults over the age of 21) in 9 states and Washington, D.C. Medical marijuana is legal in another 30 states.

Cross-bred strains for the perfect therapeutic

Legalization has created regulated,

effect; Extraction methods that produce

organized, and safer options for buying

pure concentrates; A wider variety of

marijuana. Dispensaries like NETA allow

products; Varying chemical formulations

today’s cannabis connoisseurs access to

(THC-only, CBD-only, or THC:CBD).

products that have been tested, packaged properly, and are generally much safer than

The influx of scientific and legislative

what they could have accessed from shady

advancements has paved the way for cannabis

Cousin Joey (AKA, the black market).

connoisseurs--people who know the specific marijuana strains used for specific health

NETA is excited to stay on the cutting edge

conditions, and the best delivery method

of cannabis in Massachusetts and beyond.

for each. These cannabis connoisseurs

Thank you for making history with us.

have their morning strain, a “daily driver” infusion, and their evening remedy.

S OM E THIN G FOR EVE RYON E

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Angela Cheek STORE MANAGER, NORTHAMPTON

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INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 cup coconut sugar

1. Place coconut sugar, coconut cream, and salt in a small sauce pan. Heat slowly while stirring to dissolve the coconut sugar.

1 cup coconut cream

Infused Caramel Apple

2. Once mixture is boiling, reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon Elevation Oil

10-15 minutes. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.

3. Stir vanilla extract and Elevation Oil into finished caramel sauce.

4. Cut the apple into wedges, place a skewer in the end.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5. Dip each wedge into the caramel sauce. Make sure to use all of the 1 apple

caramel sauce to ensure the correct dosage. Top with sea salt.

This and a bunch of other recipes that get you high are included in Elevations, the new Elevation oil cook book, coming soon to NETA dispensaries and places books are sold.

R ECIP E : IN F US E D CA R A M E L A P P LE

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T H E R E ’ S A B I L L B O A R D O N I - 9 1 J U S T O U T S I D E O F N E W H AV E N , C O N N E C T I C U T, T H AT S AY S :

WEED IS LEGAL IN 60 MILES

W H AT ’ S 6 0 M I L E S A W AY ? W H Y, M A S S A C H U S E T T S , O F C O U R S E .

MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF LEGALIZING M A R I J U A N A F O R B O T H M E D I C A L A N D A D U LT U S E . O N E O F T H E P EO P L E W E CA N T H A N K F O R T H AT I S

Leslie Laurie.

You probably know Leslie as NETA’s Regional

identity, or sexual orientation has been her

Director for Western Massachusetts and Director

lifelong commitment.

of Patient Services. As Regional Director, Leslie works outside of NETA to identify philanthropic

More recently, Leslie’s commitment to social

opportunities and collaborate with external

justice led her to marijuana as a public health

stakeholders, such as Northampton Mayor David

issue. After several years of helping make medical

Narkewicz. In her role as Director of Patient

marijuana a reality in our state, she joined NETA

Services, Leslie runs educational programs and

in 2009.

works directly with patients who have special needs or issues.

“I always say I’ve been working since I was one years old,” quips Leslie. “As a child of progressive

Or, maybe you know Leslie from her days of

parents and a product of 1960s counterculture,

serving as the president and CEO of Tapestry

advocating for social justice has always been an

Health. Tapestry Health, formerly the Family

important feature of my life.”

Planning Council of Western Massachusetts, is an organization she founded more than 40

Her childhood involvement in social justice

years ago. It remains an important provider

issues led to her pursuing an M.S. in Community

of

Organizing and Planning from Columbia University

community-based reproductive and sexual

health services in the region.

in New York City. From there, her focus on women’s reproductive rights took off. She joined Planned

Or maybe you’ve seen Leslie in downtown

Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania as

Northampton, partaking in the cultural activities

their Director of Education and Outreach, and

and atmosphere of the city.

later went to the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts in the ‘70s.

Still don’t know Leslie? Oh, but we’re sure you

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do. We guarantee you’ve felt the impact of her

And that’s when something critical happened:

decades of activism for health justice issues.

she fell in love with Northampton and Western

Expanding and protecting access to health care

Massachusetts as a whole. She and her husband

for everyone, regardless of income, race, gender

decided to start their family here.

LE S LIE LAUR IE

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T R A N S F O R M I N G T H E P I O N E E R VA L L E Y I N T O A P I O N E E R F O R H E A LT H J U S T I C E

At the time, family planning access in Western Mass was disorganized at best, making it difficult for women to find the medication and devices to control fertility. Leslie leveraged Title X and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to write grants to fund the creation of the independent family clinics that became the backbone of Tapestry Health.

That alone is a significant accomplishment, but Leslie kept going. She:

•

Introduced the sliding fee scale for clients with low income, a strategy which was perceived by some local doctors as a “conspiracy” for socialized medicine;

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Started a successful needle exchange program to prevent the spread of HIV in the ‘80s;

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Served one term as president of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, and over a decade as the president of the Massachusetts Family Planning Association;

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Testified many times before Congress to advocate for legislation on reproductive health;

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Was one of five women in the United States Delegation to the First International Conference of First and Third World Women on Reproductive Health.

When medical marijuana became a more

her community and seeing the difference

serious conversation in Massachusetts,

she and NETA are making.

Leslie’s initial thought was to have Tapestry Health apply to become a

Leslie’s

licensed

the

Northampton and NETA have influenced

application fee was too steep for a non-

how the sale of marijuana is structured

profit like Tapestry Health--especially

throughout

since there was no guarantee they’d be

committed from the beginning to be a

granted a license.

“good neighbor” in Northampton: joining

dispensary.

However,

particularly

the

proud

state.

of

NETA

how

was

the Chamber of Commerce, supporting Legalizing

marijuana

had

become

a

the city’s less fortunate, and signing a

passion for Leslie, and joining NETA was a

Community Agreement with the city in

return to her roots: working directly with

regards to economic benefits.

“I’m glad to have Northampton be the model for how medical and adult-use marijuana could be provided in a way the community would support,” said Leslie. “Not just a model for Massachusetts, but for the country. For the entire world! There’s such a need, and I love being at the forefront.”

LE S LIE LAUR IE

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Melisa Pantoja N E TA O P E R AT I O N S S P EC I A L I S T

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Danial Czitrom CHAIR OF HISTORY; PROFESSOR OF H I S TO RY O N T H E F O R D F O U N DAT I O N N E TA PAT I E N T

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MEDICAL USE PREFERRED TERM

RESTRICTIONS

Medical use

No smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles, in public or on federal land. Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

WHO IT’S FOR

Massachusetts residents who have a qualifying medical condition and are registered in the MMJ Online System.

AVA I L A B I L I T Y NETA reserves 35% of its inventory for patients.

TA X E D No tax

S U P P LY L I M I T S

60-day supply, with no upper limit on the amount of THC contained in a single product.

INCIDENT REPORTING Dispensaries are required to report incidents, such as emergency response or security breach, to state regulators.

PRODUCT TESTING Every batch of product must be tested by an independent, third-party lab, and results must be presented on the product label.

PRODUCT LABELING Medical use products have symbols and imprints that go on the packaging of the product to make clear it is not for children and contains THC.

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R EC R E AT I O N A L U S E PREFERRED TERM

H OW M U C H A P E R S O N CA N P O S S E S S AT H O M E

Adult-use.

10 oz of marijuana, and any marijuana produced by plants cultivated there.

WHO IT’S FOR

H OW M A N Y P L A N TS A P E R S O N CA N G R OW AT H O M E

Adults over the age of 21 with a government-issued identification card, regardless of where they live.

6 plants.

PURCHASE LIMITS

RESTRICTIONS

Edibles are available in 5mg servings, with a 100mg limit per product.

No smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles, in public or on federal land.

W H E N A P E R S O N N E E D S TO LO C K I T U P AT H O M E Amounts over one ounce, but it’s best to keep any amount locked away to keep kids and pets safe.

Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

TA X E S

A person can purchase up to 1 ounce of flower or 5 grams of concentrate.

A 20% tax is levied on each purchase.

INCIDENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: Dispensaries are required to report incidents, such as emergency response or security breach, to state regulators and local law enforcement.

TESTING OF PRODUCT: Every batch of product must be tested by an independent third-party lab. Results must be presented on the product label.

PRODUCT LABELING: Edible products must have a visible imprint on the product itself (stamped into the chocolate bar itself or lozenge, etc.) to show it contains THC. This is in addition to the package symbols and product imprints that make it clear it’s not for children.

M E DICA L & R ECR E ATION A L

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Veteran Stories The statistics are grim, but there is hope in cannabis for many veterans.

More than 20% of the 2.7 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.

More than 260,000 of those veterans have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Approximately 7% of veterans suffer from both PTSD and TBI.

The VA’s solution for these complex mental and

abuse.” As a comparison, other Schedule I drugs

physical issues has been a slew of perscription

include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD),

drugs, sleeping pills, benzodiazepines, and even

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy),

the opioids currently driving an addiction crisis all

and methaqualone (Quaaludes).

over North America. These prescription drugs are risky because abuse and addiction are very real

While participation in a state marijuana program

side effects, and too often lead to life shattering

does not affect eligibility for VA care, VA clinicians

addiction.

are prohibited from completing the paperwork required for patients to participate and marijuana

As a result, more and more veterans are turning

is also prohibited at VA-run housing.

to medical marijuana to treat their conditions. At NETA, veterans constitute a sizable portion of our

In Massachusetts, veterans who benefit from

medical marijuana patients.

medical marijuana are becoming advocates.

They’re spreading the word to their former army

Unfortunately, federal law currently makes it

buddies and even meeting with local veterans

difficult for veterans to access medical marijuana.

associations.

Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), cannabis is a Schedule I drug “with no currently

We are lucky to have 3 such veterans work for us at

accepted medical use and a high potential for

NETA. Michael Moore of Ludlow, Massachusetts is one of them. He is tall and bald, opting instead for

SOURCES www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp www.veteransandptsd.com/PTSD-statistics.html

a wild tuft of beard – the most obvious indication that he is no longer active duty. His eyes are big and friendly, like that of someone who just smoked a joint.

VE TE R A N S TOR IE S

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For Michael, September 11, 2001 was the day he

smoke a joint with him on the porch. He’d been

knew he would join the United States Army. He

scared off by the stories of addiction he’d heard

was 10 years old at the time.

in the barracks, but something made him say yes that evening.

Seven years later, at the start of his senior year in high school, he enlisted. “I was 17, but I’d never

“The biggest issue I encountered when I left the

even shaved my face before. Three days before

army was not being able to sleep. I was given all

I left home, I asked my father to show me how.”

kinds of crap to take — sleeping pills and so on.

recalled Michael (stroking his beard).

They would always put me right to sleep but I would wake up the next day groggy and in a haze

He started as an early warning systems operator

of confusion.”

in Kuwait and Okinawa, where he protected the bases from missile attacks using radar technology

He felt the fog of uncertainty and listlessness that

and sensors. Next, Michael was posted to South

had hung over him seem to momentarily lift. “That

Korea, where he worked with satellites as part

trip changed my life,” said Michael. He began to

of a larger missile defense command post. After

smoke regularly and noticed he was much more

8 years Michael had fulfilled his duty to serve

relaxed during the day, and finally, was able to

his country, and it was time to go home. He’d

sleep through the night.

sacrificed a lot during those 8 years: time, family, friends, and his physical and mental health.

Now 27, Michael is thriving and consuming cannabis regularly. He is a NETA security

Back home, Michael was finding civilian life to

specialist for our Northampton dispensary whose

be more challenging than defending outposts

responsibilities include monitoring surveillance

against missile attacks. “Imagine you are a seeing-

cameras, and maintaining safety and security for

eye dog for years, and then you are turned loose

the dispensary.

to do whatever you want,” Michael said. “The army had provided structure and without it, I was

His main motivation in joining NETA, however,

at a loss for what to do with himself.

was helping other veterans struggling with the same things he did. “I have a couple friends who

He enlisted in college, hoping for some structure,

I have lost throughout the years to suicide, and

but even that proved problematic. No one was

knowing that cannabis could have potentially

rushing him or making him turn up to class on

helped them pisses me off. My job at NETA is

time so he didn’t.

enabling me to learn more about how marijuana can help veterans so I can spread the message:

“For almost a year I didn’t see my friends or even leave my room unless it was to go to a class. It felt as though everyone else had everything figured out and I was way behind.” His family and friends were sympathetic and supportive, but Michael didn’t feel like he could talk to them. They simply didn’t understand what was happening in his head.

Things changed when a former army buddy invited Michael to his wedding in Colorado. After dinner one night, Michael’s friend invited him to

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there is hope after war.”

“ Imagine you are a seeingeye dog for years, and then you are turned loose to do whatever you want.�

- Michael

VE TE R A N S TOR IE S

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Jake Moriarty, 24, says sleeping has been the

accessing medical marijuana may be impossible.

hardest part of returning to civilian life. “I was

The VA is governed under federal law, which

avoiding sleeping at night due to the constant

makes marijuana illegal. So VA providers may

nightmares and waking up in cold sweats.”

not sign paperwork allowing a veteran to enroll in a medical marijuana program. The VA will also

Jake was on a mission in Kandahar province,

not cover the cost. For veterans who are able

Afghanistan, when a vehicle in his convoy was hit

to obtain medical cannabis, they can’t have it in

with an IED. He was medically discharged due to

their VA-run housing.

his subsequent back injury, and returned home to Holyoke, MA.

This frustrates many vets, including Jake.

He was excited to be home, but normal activities

“I know 22 veterans a day commit suicide,”

like grocery shopping or being in public with

Moriarty says. “In my opinion, that’s 22 too many.

friends were suddenly impossible.

With cannabis, I’ve seen so many of my veteran friends make complete changes in their life for

“I would walk in a room and immediately try to

the positive. I don’t know the answer on how

find where the exits were. If I was seated in a

we can make this a reality other than legalizing

restaurant with my back towards other people,

cannabis on a federal level, but until that day, my

I’d have to switch places so I could properly ‘scan’

goal will be to help as many veterans out with

the room,” said Jake.

cannabis until I’m buried six feet under.”

Although he was prescribed medication for

“Once I returned from the Gulf War, I had

dealing

medically

tremendous difficulty with traffic and erratic

discharged, Moriarty found cannabis helped him

drivers. My reactions to stressors were way

much more. “It allowed me to breathe, and just

overboard. I was constantly on edge, hyper-

slow down my mind to the point where I could

vigilant, and combative. I didn’t realize I was

function like a regular human being.”

showing symptoms of PTSD,” said disabled

with

PTSD

after

being

veteran Thomas J. Steele, 51, from Norwood, MA. Jake joined NETA as a trainer, and he teaches new patient service advocates (PSAs) how to

Thomas sought treatment at his local VA medical

compliantly

provide

center, which became his primary source of

excellent patient care. In this role he has met and

support. At the time, Thomas had a support

spoken to many Massachusetts veterans who rely

network consisting of only a few family members

on marijuana to deal with symptoms of PTSD and

and friends. None of them knew how to help. He

other army-related trauma.

was geographically and psychologically separated

dispense

cannabis

and

from his former army buddies. Aside from the For veterans who are completely dependent

therapist he saw at the VA, he had no one to call

upon the VA for treatment and assistance,

for help.

VE TE R A N S TOR IE S

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Therapy was helpful for his PTSD symptoms,

marijuana and the lingering attitudes from the

but Thomas’s progress was accelerated when he

‘war on drugs.’ I have met younger veterans who

added in medical marijuana. The combination of

use medical marijuana, but there are many more

cannabis and therapy was more effective than

veterans who could potentially benefit from it.

therapy alone. It also alleviated his low-grade,

They just don’t have the information or support

chronic pain.

to engage in the program,” said Thomas.

Thomas has gone on to advocate for

“The stigma is incredible.

by

joining

the

advisory

board

for

the

Massachusetts Patient Advocacy

it’s to

veteran access to medical marijuana

Thomas

Many older veterans are not open to the idea of marijuana as medicine. I

knows

now the

up federal

government

to

allow VA to do what is required to open up this avenue for those who need it.

Alliance.

Many are

veterans surprisingly

resistant idea

to

the

of

using

marijuana

for

medical purposes.

Thomas has met with

the

think it’s a combination

Officers

and

attended

local

meetings

about

are

people

me

like

of the federal stance

who chose to lay

on marijuana and the

defend the ideals

lingering attitudes from

down our lives to of our nation. We should be cared for with the best possible treatment

local

Veteran Assistance

“Veterans

the ‘war on drugs.’

- Thomas

options. I believe our

federal

government should immediately open avenues for

health care. Each time, he has limited success engaging other

scientifically-based testing, so the VA can access

veterans.

effective treatment--regardless of the opinions of non-medical government employees or elected

“The stigma is incredible. Many older veterans are

officials who have limited knowledge of the

not open to the idea of marijuana as medicine. I

promise of medical cannabis.”

think it’s a combination of the federal stance on

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Mikayla Bell PAT I E N T A DVO CAT E N E TA PAT I E N T

31

N E TA : M A K I N G A D I FFE R E N C E

Daniel “As a Patient Services Associate (PSA), I

was severely depressed. He had an air of

can’t make any promises to patients about

defeat that was in his downcast eyes, his

our medical cannabis products. I can’t tell

heavy shoulders, and his stony face.

them, “This will lessen your pain.” Why not?

Because there are no guarantees with any

Daniel was feeling hopeless. So I told him how

therapeutic treatment. Different people

I had hope for him and how our treatments

respond differently to different medications,

could help him. Could he at least give it a try?

therapies, and yes even cannabis.

He looked at me levelly and agreed. “Yes, I’ll try.”

But I can give them hope. I can encourage them. I can be that person in their lives who

And he did. Daniel is now a changed man.

cheers them on. I can do this because I have

Now, when he walks into the dispensary,

hope for them. I know our products are

he shouts out the name of the NETA staff

making a big difference in people’s lives.

members he sees. “Sarah! Jacob! Darnell!”

Take Daniel*, for example. Bipolar disease

And then, he shouts “Thank you!”

had taken a toll on his happiness, his wife, two children, and business.

It doesn’t matter how many times he shouts, “Sarah, thank you!” It still moves

He simply couldn’t find joy in any aspect

me. Daniel now gives me hope--for every

of his life. When he came to NETA, he

new patient who walks in NETA’s door.”

- S A R A H

N E TA PAT I E N T S E RV I C E S A DVO CAT E , N O R T H A M P TO N

*Name has been changed as per HIPAA regulations.

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Donna Jenson A U T H O R & P L AY W R I G H T N E TA PAT I E N T

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N E TA : M A K I N G A D I FFE R E N C E

Zeke “I remember the first time Zeke*

wife speaking for him. Followed by his

stepped through NETA’s doors.

wife--not Zeke--picking up the order.

“His severe PTSD meant he couldn’t make

“But at his 8th consultation, Zeke spoke.

eye contact. The noise and people in the

And over time, he began speaking more and

dispensary overwhelmed him. He couldn’t

more. He even stopped bringing his wife.

bring himself to speak, so his wife spoke for him. ‘My husband needs a private

“And I’ll never forget the day I rounded

consultation room,’ she asked softly, while

the corner and there was Zeke--

holding his hand. Zeke’s face was calm, but

in line, with all the other patients. He

it was clear his PTSD was being triggered.

was talking and smiling at them.

“One of our Patient Services Associates,

“He actually hugged me when he saw me.

Brian, quickly ushered Zeke into a room for

He told me how much his life had changed

a consultation. The next day, Brian shared

because of NETA, and thanked me repeatedly.

with staff during a patient debrief how Zeke stood along the back wall of the private

“When I have a bad day--which is rare at

consultation room. Not speaking. Looking

NETA, but it does happen!--I think of Zeke

at his feet. His wife speaking for him.

and his transformation. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to help people like Zeke

“Each of Zeke’s next 7 visits unfolded the

return to living happy and fulfilling lives.”

same way: private consultation room, his

- L I S A B A M E L

N E TA T E A M L E A D, BROOKLINE

*Name has been changed as per HIPAA regulations.

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Kelly Turner N E TA PAT I E N T

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N E TA’ S P R E PA R AT I O N S F O R . . .

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PAT I E N T S A R E OUR PRIORITY NETA is a dual-use dispensary, which means we are providing products for medical and adult use.

We began dispensing marijuana for adult use on November 20, 2018.

However, our medical patients are and will continue to be our priority.

To uphold the level of quality and service we’ve been providing to our

I M P R OV M E N T / R E N OVAT I O N S / U P G R A D E S

AT N E TA , O U R

NETA’s Northampton dispensary has undergone extensive renovations to accommodate the needs of our medical patients.

We’ve added new, private consultation space for our patients.

Renovations included the addition of a new area for adult-use customers, so that our patients can continue using the same space.

medical-use clientele, we’ve made quite a few changes to our facilities.

We’ve increased our hourly staff by roughly 50% in both Northampton and Brookline to prepare for adult use.

We’ve changed some of our production processes to create adult-use products. However, medical patients will continue to have access to all products.

To meet the increased demand for marijuana products, we’ve made some changes to our Franklin production facility. A new CO2 system, as well as 268 new flower lights and 80 vegetative lights, will increase yield and speed up production.

. . . A D U LT U S E 37

BY THE NUMBERS

590 P A T I E N T S A D AY NETA is proud to serve the ~590 medical marijuana patients who come to our Brookline and Northampton locations daily.

600 E M P LOY E E S At NETA, we’re committed to enriching the vibrant communities we call home.

We know strengthening employment for our community members creates financial

A variety of health conditions can cause people to seek relief through medical marijuana.

•

People dealing with pain resulting from cancer, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia

•

Veterans coping with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, and depression

•

People struggling with the effects of opioid addiction

resilience for us all. To that end, we’ve actively participated in several Massachusetts job fairs:

• • • •

United South End Settlements job fair

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Urban League job fair

INFUSED PRODUCTS

Roxbury Community College job fair

Mass CBA job fair We’ve seen so many of patients turn their

NETA held one of the the first-ever cannabis-

lives around thanks to our extensive product

focused job fair in the state. We’ve even

line, which includes more than 60 types of

successfully hired employees from these efforts.

marijuana-infused products, including:

We’re looking forward to getting even more involved.

• • • • •

Flowers Edibles Topicals Vaporizers Concentrates

We’re truly humbled to serve our patients in the way we do.

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“Because there are so many people throughout history who have done prison time for such minor offenses, like having weed paraphernalia or small amounts – the fact that I can walk out of the store and not be afraid of anything happening to me is great.”

Daquaan Hamilton FIRST CUSTOMER, NORTHAMPTON, MA Daquaan waited in line for nearly 8 hours to become the first customer through the doors on the day NETA opened for Adult Use.

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AWARD WINNING DISPENSARIES N E TACA R E .O R G

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