Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Live Oak - For a final time, roughly 60 U.S. military veterans gathered in the parking lot behind the Santa Cruz Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7263 on Monday to receive support - and free medicinal cannabis.
The Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, which provides a community-oriented cannabis program for local military vets facilitated by fellow disabled combat veterans, has held its meetings for nearly two years at VFW Post 7263 on 7th Avenue.
However, the VFW Post 7263 administration informed the alliance a month ago it could no longer host or support the group's meetings. As a result, the alliance is actively seeking an alternative spot to hold its twice-a-month meetings.
Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance Director Jason Sweatt said the decision reflects the post's concerns about its public image and the potential of losing its permit to serve alcohol.
"We're looking for a community space anywhere in the county to gather, distribute medicine to our members and host speakers," Sweatt said.
Unfortunately, the eviction will cut short a study directed by the Palo Alto Department of Veteran Affairs researching the benefits of medical cannabis. The six-month study, "Cannabis Use Among Veterans for PTSD and Insomnia," was two months from completion.
"Tonight will be the researchers' last to collect data for the study. Apparently the research application was tied to this site," Sweatt said.
While it is unclear exactly why the post leaders decided to end the alliance relationship, the decision speaks to the gray area in which the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance currently operates. While the alliance meetings at the VFW have received national media attention because of the marijuana giveaways and have received the blessings of First District Supervisor John Leopold, who represents Live Oak, the organization was omitted from a list of medical cannabis dispensaries eligible for licenses.
"This is private property and we've decided to move in another direction," said a representative of VFW Post 7263 who asked to remain anonymous. "We've been walking a tightrope here and we're tired of walking a tightrope. That's all I'll say."
Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance members are U.S. military veterans that are mostly low income and/or disabled. The majority have seen combat in Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan, according to Sweatt.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Santa Cruz Group Seeks New Space To Dispense Medical Cannabis To Vets
Author: Ryan Masters
Contact: 831-423-4242
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Santa Cruz Sentinel
The Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance, which provides a community-oriented cannabis program for local military vets facilitated by fellow disabled combat veterans, has held its meetings for nearly two years at VFW Post 7263 on 7th Avenue.
However, the VFW Post 7263 administration informed the alliance a month ago it could no longer host or support the group's meetings. As a result, the alliance is actively seeking an alternative spot to hold its twice-a-month meetings.
Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance Director Jason Sweatt said the decision reflects the post's concerns about its public image and the potential of losing its permit to serve alcohol.
"We're looking for a community space anywhere in the county to gather, distribute medicine to our members and host speakers," Sweatt said.
Unfortunately, the eviction will cut short a study directed by the Palo Alto Department of Veteran Affairs researching the benefits of medical cannabis. The six-month study, "Cannabis Use Among Veterans for PTSD and Insomnia," was two months from completion.
"Tonight will be the researchers' last to collect data for the study. Apparently the research application was tied to this site," Sweatt said.
While it is unclear exactly why the post leaders decided to end the alliance relationship, the decision speaks to the gray area in which the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance currently operates. While the alliance meetings at the VFW have received national media attention because of the marijuana giveaways and have received the blessings of First District Supervisor John Leopold, who represents Live Oak, the organization was omitted from a list of medical cannabis dispensaries eligible for licenses.
"This is private property and we've decided to move in another direction," said a representative of VFW Post 7263 who asked to remain anonymous. "We've been walking a tightrope here and we're tired of walking a tightrope. That's all I'll say."
Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance members are U.S. military veterans that are mostly low income and/or disabled. The majority have seen combat in Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan, according to Sweatt.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Santa Cruz Group Seeks New Space To Dispense Medical Cannabis To Vets
Author: Ryan Masters
Contact: 831-423-4242
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Santa Cruz Sentinel
