Cannabis Provisioning Centers. Nearly everyone has an opinion, some are louder than others, but not all are equally informed!
I want to touch on the most heated arguments that I hear, namely in my own hometown. 
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Endocannabinoid system
If you haven’t heard of it or know what it does and who has it and how it effects human physiology and neurology, I implore you to do so.

Cancer
I’ve been in the field of integrative oncology for 13 years. Initially, I was strictly against cannabis use until I learned how devastatingly wrong I was. My opinion was due to societal persuasion campaigns that I had been conditioned to believe. They worked until I had collaborations with medical doctors, scientists and researchers from around the world and allowed for the space to understand the mechanisms of action between human physiology and cannabis. Since my harsh initial instinctive denial of cannabis consumption, despite a person’s health conditions, I have retracted my assumptive statements and have become a researcher in the field of naturopathic care and medicine, specializing in Endocannabinology and cannabis. I look forward to the day it is included in medical curriculum as a foundational rather than elective. This will happen once pharmaceuticals are not in control of our healthcare system. (sarcasm) Until then, medical professionals will have to take this specialty on as a chosen specialty and all the others will resort to opinion and assumption.

Smell
This is personal opinion so if we are opening the topic regarding cannabis smell due to possibility of business that provides cannabis in the city, let us please discuss other approved and accepted businesses that lead to unpleasant odor. The aroma of carcinogenic oils chemically altering meat, sugar and carbohydrates from multiple businesses to me, is disgusting. But, to each their own! I have every right to move to the country if I don’t want to smell the smells of the city. Do you know the effects of inhaling off gassed by products of fast food over an extended period of time? If there’s evidence to support benefit, please share.  
Personal preference here but cigarette smoke is nauseating to me. A smoker can buy from multiple businesses in the city and consume right there on premises. I don’t get to tell others what to do with their habits so I keep my opinion to myself and move on. Sometimes this means getting in another line at the grocery store or standing in another location if someone saturated in the odor is near me. Additionally, 2nd and 3rd hand cigarette smoke is carcinogenic so not only is it a cancer causer to the person exposed, but also to those inhaling a habit that isn’t theirs. There is documented evidence to support this. Cannabis “smell” may not be pleasant to some, but does not negatively impact the health of those who smell it. If you have documented evidence to prove otherwise, please share. I’ve yet to read any study as such.

Smell continued, Landfills
The by-products of solid waste deposited in a landfill has adverse effects on the surrounding environment and humans living closer to landfill sites. Respiratory symptoms were detected among residents living close to waste sites. Studies have shown possible increased risks of certain types of cancer, including lung, bladder, brain and leukemia, among people who live near landfills. Recent study found that living near a landfill could expose residents to chemicals that can reduce immune system function and lead to an increased risk of infections. These were linked to inhalation exposure to endotoxin, microorganisms, and aerosols from waste collection and land filling. The extent to which toxic landfill contaminants suppress the immune system has been grossly underestimated. I haven’t come across documented evidence to prove smell from a cannabis grow leads to any negative health issues. Let us keep in mind we aren’t considering grows in the city so smell from them isn’t applicable. Despite this argument, exhaust is regulated so for city’s who allow grows, smell isn’t a factor. Having a store that sells cannabis contained in sealed packaging also doesn’t leave a sniff trail. I haven’t come across documented evidence to prove there is harmful smell emanating from cannabis sold in enclosed packaging purchased at provisioning centers.

Loitering and Littering
I previously owned and operated a business for many years on Quarry Rd. I had to pick up litter; leftover food, food containers (bags, papers, Styrofoam, empty plastic liquor bottles, pop bottles, cups, straws, cigarette butts) on a DAILY basis from the passer byes who made purchases at the neighboring liquor and party stores. This garbage that was tossed on the sidewalks, building sides and grassy areas was from items labeled as “food”.

Since many are concerned by the idea of having cannabis in your city, as a health practitioner I am incredibly concerned for the health and mental state of these people (mainly the high schoolers walking to and from school for lunch break) purchasing and consuming these so called “food” items. I am offended by the ingredients and hope that one day many of you join the real food movement over this toxicity called food. Ironically, many of the reasons people seek cannabis therapy are in hopes of overcoming ailments caused by the fake foods sold …. everywhere … to everyone of all ages!

Provisioning centers may not, by Michigan law, allow anyone age 21 or under into their business. The garbage that I’ve been picking up for years has been carelessly thrown after being purchased by children (under age 18) from liquor and beer stores – that are frequently robbed I might add. I haven’t come across documented evidence to prove there is benefit to alcohol, yet children are allowed to be in businesses and make their other purchases. Repeated exposure conditions individuals to become comfortable with said item or product. We are allowing children in places that sell many brands and types of alcohol, day after day look at advertising signs and how many people are giving it a second thought as to how “normalized” this is by the time they reach adulthood.

Alcohol kills, there’s no argument against this to prove any benefit to its consumption, but the kids in Riverview will certainly know where to get it and what’s available by the time they graduate! FYI according to the WHO, the harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Worldwide, 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol. I think a proposal to the city for consideration of an ordinance that restricts kids from exposure to alcohol and cigarettes, perhaps something equivalent to that of provisioning centers, be considered!

Quantity of cannabis businesses
According to ordinance, the size of the city’s landscape will potentially allow for 3 - 4 provisioning centers. How many places and city sponsored events sell alcohol and cigarettes? How many places allow for the consumption of alcohol with children present? Provisioning centers may not lawfully allow for anyone under age 21 to enter the building nor do they allow for the consumption of purchase on premises. Riverview allows for individuals to become (alcohol) intoxicated with kids in tow, but the proposed ordinance for allowance of sale of cannabis does NOT.
Capital
It’s no secret, the city of Riverview is not in good financial standing. Entertaining any route to funding should be entertained from a business perspective. Nickel and diming potential revenue, without suggestion of how to make it up otherwise is not conducive to the circumstance. Should the provisioning centers be denied business in Riverview, where is the list of realistic revenue ideas with timeline of access to the funding, longevity of the funds, and continued sourcing of funds? According to the potential ordinance for provisioning centers, immediate revenue will be obtained, continued revenue will be accepted, significant employment will be given, possible increase of business for current businesses will be created, and contribution to community programming will be required. Correct me if I’m wrong, but NO other business in the city is required to financially contribute to community enhancement programs.

This is a very emotionally charged topic due to the taboo cannabis has been labeled with since the early 1900s. Emotions form an essential part of our lives, personal and professional. But in any successful company, or city management, emotions have no place in the decision-making process. Decisions, no matter how small or large, must be made solely on factual data and without any bias or emotions. One cannot rely on emotion, opinion or instinct in the decision-making process.

I’ve maintained my business as a cannabis wellness advisor and CBD product specialist for several years in Riverview. I’ve been ridiculed, questioned, verbally attacked – put down – accused – and shamed by quite a few. It was all appreciated as each circumstance gave me the opportunity to provide information and resources. I have assisted people of all ages (average age of my clientele is 62) learn how to better care for their health, have discussion with their healthcare providers, conduct constructive conversation with family and friends, get off of addictive drugs, recover from surgery – anxiety – sleeplessness – disease – pain and mental struggles.
I’ve also dealt with clients whom cannabis doesn’t work for. It’s not a cure all and people need direction and guidance. With wider community acceptance they are more apt to seek out counsel to avoid adverse consequences which is why I’ve stayed the course and followed through to this point. Sending my clients to a local source that is trusted and regulated in an environment that is clean, kept and aesthetically pleasing would be a progressive step alongside the times.

Medicinal vs recreational cannabis is legal jargon for tax purposes. We don’t get to decide what the plant does once its consumed whether someone is using as therapy or seeking to get “high”. There will always be both types of users, whether we have provisioning centers in our community or not.  

Every problem passes through three stages before it is recognized. In the first stage it is ridiculed, in the second stage it is opposed, in the third stage it is regarded as self-evident. - Schopenhauer

To find out if cannabis is right (or wrong) for you, send me an email to schedule a consultation: info@thetaliving.com