WAMM and KindPeoples providing free cannabis to eligible patients

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) WAMM, or Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana, is teaming up with KindPeoples to distribute free cannabis products to eligible patients Sunday.

WAMM said it was able to provide free or sliding-scale cannabis to low- income patients with cancer, AIDS, epilepsy or other conditions until January 2018, when recreational cannabis stores opened for the first time and products became subject to cultivation, excise and use taxes.

“It’s darkly ironic that after being at the forefront of the cannabis movement for decades, including facing a DEA raid in 2002 and the threat of life in prison, it was legalization that closed WAMM’s doors,” says WAMM co-founder Valerie Corral.

On March 1, WAMM said SB 34 will take effect and allow legal cannabis suppliers to provide free cannabis to those who cannot afford it without paying taxes on it as if it was sold at a market rate.

The first distribution will happen on March 1 at the KindPeoples location on Ocean Street starting at noon. Regular distributions will start on March 17.

WAMM is hoping regular meetups eventually lead to a permanent location in Santa Cruz.