We understands while a majority of California medical marijuana patients are pleased with just having safe, reliable access to legal cannabis while avoiding the dangers of obtaining marijuana on the street, not many have taken the time to ask these important questions:
A: A collective is a group of people who work together and combine their resources to achieve a common objective.
Cannivan Caregivers Collective, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization of qualified patients and primary caregivers who come together to collectively or cooperatively cultivate physician-recommended marijuana to meet the symptomatic relief measures of patients with chronic and acute health disorders. If you are a California resident who suffers from a serious ailment for which your Physician has recommended the use of natural medicines (e.g.medical marijuana), Cannivan may be the right option for you contact us to learn more.
A: Cannivan is not a dispensary (i.e. storefront collective) therefore, our members are not subject to a revolving door of patients, impersonal staff members or misinformation about the medicine they receive. Our collective was founded on the true spirit of SB 420 and the Attorney General’s “Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use” (PDF, New Window).
At present our membership is limited to 36 members and we usually have a waiting list of applicants. Keeping our membership numbers small ensures that our cultivation requirements are not overwhelming and that we are able to focus our complete attention on the needs of our patient-members.
Members who are unable to visit our wellness facility due to transportation and/or health reasons can schedule a delivery of their medicine for self-management, privacy and safety.
Cannivan also works with Residential Care Facilities (RCFE) and Senior homes who chose to accommodate a resident’s disability by allowing him or her to possess and utilize marijuana on its premises to treat a condition that is recognized by their physician and for which he or she has recommended the use of medical marijuana over harmful synthetic drugs.
A: It's a fairly common misconception that a medical marijuana collective or cannabis dispensary is a vehicle for illicit marijuana sales making high profits; however, this can't be farther from the truth. Just think about the financial, personal, knowledge and time investment that goes into cultivating high-grade medical cannabis.
Just as with any legally prescribed medication or potential for making money, there are people who will abuse the system and not play by the rules therefore, tarnishing the reputations of those who do.
All funds raised by Cannivan Caregivers Collective, Inc. are used to directly help manage day-to-day operations and production cost which include drug treatment and rental assistance grants for patients with serious and terminal conditions. Cannivan does not qualify as a 501(c)(3) charity therefore contributions are not tax deductible.
A: Dispensaries, growing collectives, etc. are licensed through local city or county business ordinances and the regulatory authority lies with the State of California Attorney General’s Office.
Our primary caregivers are registered under the California Department of Public Health's Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) program. In addition we have obtained all the required business licenses and permits to operate within our county and are in compliance with all city ordinances for operating a medical marijuana collective.
A: Cannivan's Mission is to ensure both our members and non-members live a better quality of life through compassion, education, empowerment and entrepreneurship. So what does that mean?
Compassion - Cannivan was founded as a response to the needs of California prop 215 patients who benefited medically from the use of natural medicines and healing herbs. We chose to stand up and offer a reliable voice for seriously ill patients who were in need of sympathy even though in the political arena it may not have been a popular position. In order for our organization to be effective and healthy we believe it was necessary to be disciplined and focused and that a channel needed to be created between the primary caregiver and the patient-members; a mutuality that extended beyond just medicine delivery. That bond continues to live on to this day.
Education - Our organization recognizes that we have a responsibility to convey the truth to our members and our community about the use of medical cannabis and other natural medicines. Although we work to remain knowledgeable about the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes we do not attempt to promote false claims, errors, guesses, or propaganda. We feel that the ability for the medical and scientific community to truly study and report on the many uses of cannabis are close at hand and the more transparent they/we are, the better our community will be.
Empowerment - Any kind of medical problem, even a minor one, takes a psychological toll patients. Helping them to make sure their sources of information are valid and credible is an important part of patient safety and advocacy. Our goals is to empower patients with the tools they need to take control of his or her own healing, improve their chances for a good medical outcome and reduce the dollars they spent on medical care.
Entrepreneurship - The California medical marijuana industry has to its credit may positive outcomes. Revenue generated from collectives assisting in the production and dispensing of medicinal cannabis has contributed millions of dollars to state/local taxes and businesses, helped to sustain and create new business ventures such as magazines, hydroponic stores, clothing shops, medical clinics, medical supply, etc. In addition, it has helped the troubled housing and commercial real estate markets and has created many needed jobs right here in California, including our own.
A: Yes, whenever there is a wide concern or matters arising that will affect our members we will announce and hold a meeting where members can meet with the board and share their views. Meeting also allow members to meet with other patients, learn about new projects, share research, and find out about new developments about cannabis as medicine.
Q: My collective had me sign a form making them my Primary Caregiver; what is a primary Caregiver?
A: A primary caregiver is a person (individual) who consistently assumes the responsibility for the housing, health or safety of the applicant (patient). This may be an individual or the owner, operator or employee of an appropriately licensed clinic, facility, hospice, or home health agency.
Q: Why are some transactions referred to as donations?
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Q: How do I know the medicine I received was grown organically, free of disease, mold, and harmful pesticides?
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Q: If I get ill from medicine that was dispensed to me, who’s held liable?
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Q: If I had no money, would my collective provide me my medicine free of charge?
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Q: What's the legal amount of medicinal cannabis my collective can cultivate/posses on my behalf?
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Q: If I only consume a small amount what happens to the rest of that medicine?
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Q: Can I legally redistribute my medicine to other qualified patients?
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Q: If I grew more medicine than I could reasonably consume, could I donate the surplus back and be reimbursed for my cost?
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