I write silly stuff for fun and distraction. I don't usually show it around. I wrote a commercial for a fictional cannabis charity. I know it's strange. But my thoughts that led to it and the commercial itself may be somehow pertinent or helpful, so I'll post it. And I'll be ready for the razzing if you all so wish it.
I hear that the San Diego DA's office thinks that all dispensaries are for-profit and thus illegal. They site the advertisements of some dispensaries as examples of for-profit activity. I assume they have other reasons as well. But the point is that the San Diego DA's office believes that the goal of dispensaries is to keep the money for themselves.
I began thinking of these two issues of advertising and business growth on one hand and the net results for the goals of any non-profit charity. In the case of advertising I found no reason why any non-profit would fail to advertise. Who doesn't remember some celebrity telling how many cups of coffee it would take to feed a family of seven?
Besides, they must gain public awareness somehow, they must grow to at least pay their workers, they must grow as an organization so that they can help more people, they must maximize their income so they can also help the most people. So there is every reason for a non-profit to advertise. The Red Cross, March of Dimes, and an endless list of other non-profits would never have been able to help as many people as they have if they could not advertise and grow as an organization and yes, a non-profit business.
That left me with the question of what are the net results, the goals of these non-profit dispensaries. I assume they are contributing a percentage of their income to help those to whom they give care and from whom they have gathered that income. I also assume that they contribute another percentage to organizations that help address the issues of others that are in similar need. I assume NORML and the ASA as well as many others use contributions to further assist those who can benefit from safe access to medical marijuana.
But I wonder if they might benefit from their own local charity that will specifically help all those who suffer in California. They could all contribute a percentage of their income to this charity, less for new dispensaries who do not yet generate enough contributions and more for the established organizations. Then this charity would invest in medical cannabis research, research into non-drug related hemp products and businesses that can enhance California's financial strength and business community, and efforts to enhance public acceptance of this remarkable and valuable plant.
For instance, their first investment might be an advertisement to promote the it's own causes just like those ads we remember. For fun, I have written the script below. It could be something entirely different, but this is my take.
Fade in on an older gentleman wearing a medical smock and stethoscope, standing on dirt in an empty lot somewhere in California. "Hello," he says, smiling "My name is Will Willington, and I'd like to speak to you about Medical Marijuana."
Will turns and gestures, and is joined by a youngish middle-aged man, dressed simply and clean-cut. "This is Johnathan Doeson. He has insomnia."
"It's really terrible." Johnathan states, "It effected my relationships, my career, my ability to function. Other medications didn't help or had side effects."
Will turns and gestures again. He is joined by an elderly woman. "This is Martha Marida. She has arthritis."
"It helps with the pain." Martha claims, looking earnestly and sweetly hopeful into the camera.
Another man in a wheelchair rolls up and claims "My bones hurt! It helps!"
A woman walks up, bald with a bandanna on her head. "I get nauseous." She says. "I need to eat."
A crowd gathers and they all speak. You can't here an individual one, but they are all claiming help in need.
Will turns to the crowd and raises his hands for silence. Then he turns back to the camera.
"We are the California Compassion Collective." He states. "We are a charity devoted to assisting California residents and businesses gain the most benefit from all aspects of the cannabis plant." He pauses to let it sink in, then continues.
"We aren't asking for your money. This is not about donations. We are a charity funded directly by those who we seek to help." Again he pauses, then continues.
"What we are asking from you is your compassion and understanding. Dispensaries exist to provide the quality medication that your friends, family, and neighbors need. And in doing so they contribute to the economy and to your local business community. They are proud to be your friends and neighbors." Will allows another pause.
"These dispensaries and their members only want you to understand that they are genuine in their desire to contribute to a better life for everyone. They have a commitment to compassion, and they need your compassion to better succeed at those goals. They need you to write to your leaders local and state level to tell them that you support the legitimate operation of medical marijuana dispensaries. Tell them to stop raiding and terrorizing these law-abiding non-profit organizations, and start writing better laws to properly protect and regulate this worthy industry." Yet another pause.
Then Will steps in closer to the camera and shares "We need to stop the costly cycle of arrests and lawsuits back and forth between our leaders and those who provide help for those in need."
Will steps back with the crowd of people and says more loudly "So go to ccc.org and learn who needs to hear from you. We all thank you."
And the crowd erupts with a collective "Thank You!"
Fade out.
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