1
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
08
D AV I D N A R K E W I C Z
12
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;
•
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;
•
Testified many times before Congress to advocate for legislation on reproductive health;
•
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
26
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
29
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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