Fact Checked by Doctor NameWhat is a Co-op?
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Cannabis co-ops cultivate and distribute cannabis in medical and recreational cannabis-legal states.
Patients get low-cost medicine via co-ops.
History of marijuana co-ops?
In the early 1990s, San Francisco medicinal cannabis cooperatives provided HIV/AIDS sufferers with cannabis. Dispensaries were few, and grassroots co-ops were formed.
Rules around cooperatives remained loose until the state passed SB 420 in 2003, which formally recognized medical marijuana collectives but left specifics unclear.
Hundreds of small co-ops popped up, some more legitimate than others.
Issues around taxation, regulation, and potential abuse led to a crackdown on many facilities.
Today, properly organized, transparent co-ops operate successfully in legal states like California and Colorado.
Who can enter a co-op?
Membership requirements vary by state and facility, but most co-ops allow entry to adult residents with a valid medical cannabis card.
Some are strictly medical, while others serve both patients and recreational consumers in legal states. Membership often requires an application, fees, and agreement to rules.
Members can then access affordable medicine cultivated by the cooperative. Patients who rely on cannabis to manage serious conditions, especially benefit.
Besides offering fair pricing, co-ops build a community between consumers and cultivators.
Members can get involved in governance and educational opportunities. Well-managed co-ops prioritize positive social impact over profit.
