For the majority of California’s cannabis history, the community revolved around medical patients. In the 1990s, access to cannabis grew faster than ever and collectives were allowed to provide medical marijuana to patients for free — a practice known as compassion.
All that changed when Proposition 64 came into existence. Inadequate licensing along the supply chain leaves medical cannabis patients with limited options and inconsistent supply. Meanwhile, the cost of retail makes it hard for those on fixed incomes to afford.
But things are improving. SB 34, signed into law in early 2020, helped provide a pathway for compassionate cannabis to once again enter the legal landscape. This collaborative effort by advocates and legislators is just one step of many needed to establish a thriving cannabis economy in the state.