In all honesty, the issue of marijuana legalization is pretty complicated. From its roots on the Pacific Coast, the movement to accept this little green plant has pretty much torn the country in half and has spawned a polarized mix of overwhelming support or extreme disgust. (Quite literally, over half of our country supports the plant, while the other portion is not budging.) Of course, you would think the tides would change as more states join the cause, but the opposite can be said for California (of all places). While Californians initially supported Proposition 64, the residents of the Golden State are starting to understand the reality of “recreational use” and have started digging their heels into the dirt. One place to start is a non-profit group in California, which has been shut down due to the pot controversy. Let’s take a closer look at this bizarre situation rolling out in our state.
Compassion-Forward Business
On January 1, 2018, the State of California ordered all marijuana businesses to start paying taxes for products, including strings of samples and donations. For Sweetleaf Collective, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to low-income HIV/AIDS and cancer patients, this pretty much spelled doom for their business model. Due to the fact that it does not charge a single dollar for its medical products, the company cannot pay thousands of dollars in state taxes, meaning Sweetleaf has been forced to stop its production for now. Joe Airone (Sweetleaf’s founder) emphasized how the recent tax was created without consideration of non-profit marijuana groups, adding another wrench to the chugging engine of confusion.
Charity instead of Charging
Due to the fact that the sunset clause is put into effect after a 30-day period (from now), Sweetleaf recently teamed up with the Dennis Peron Legacy Project to give one more batch of medical marijuana to HIV/AIDS and cancer patients. Although the group was able to donate 100 pounds of the plant in 2017, the California government will not allow Sweetleaf (and other non-profits) to conduct this business without paying a hefty tax. So, we have to ask ourselves, how far can legalization efforts go?
Seeking Treatment for Marijuana Use Disorder
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
