The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation

The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF) was founded in 1999[1] by Paul Stanford in Portland, Oregon. To date THCF has helped over 250,000 patients obtain a legal permit to use medical marijuana in the states where it is legal and where THCF has clinics.[2] THCF is the largest chain of medical marijuana clinics in the U.S. with clinics operating in 12 states.[3]

History

THCF has produced over 800 episodes of live TV programs of the Cannabis Common Sense TV show.[4] THCF is also the main sponsor of Hempstalk in Portland, Oregon which is celebrating their 11th anniversary as a yearly free festival dedicated to promoting hemp and cannabis.

In 1991, THCF started publishing an online newspaper called Hemp News,[5] which is the oldest online publication still published today.[6] Hemp News is also printed in Spanish.[7]

THCF, along with The Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH), was responsible for placing Oregon's Measure 80 to legalize hemp and cannabis on the ballot in 2012. Ballot Measure 80 received 47% of the Oregon vote[8] in November 2012.

In 2012, THCF helped Willie Nelson obtain his Oregon medical marijuana permit. THCF also helped other members of Nelson's entourage obtain their Oregon medical marijuana permits.[9] It was during this same visit with Nelson that Paul Stanford asked the singer to publicly support a proposed initiative to legalize marijuana in Oregon that was being sponsored by THCF. Nelson appeared in a 30-second public service announcement in support of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act ballot initiative.[9]

Business

Since the year 1999, THCF has opened medical clinics in 12 states.[10] 250,000 patients have gone through THCF's clinics to get their permits to use medical marijuana.[11] THCF also has medical marijuana gardens in Oregon and Washington where marijuana production is legal, and the medicine from these gardens have won many awards at yearly Cannabis Cup events.[1]

Activism

On May 24, 2007 the DEA along with the Federal Government and federal prosecutor James Hagerty filed a subpoena for the medical records of 17 individuals, 14 of which were patients who had received medical marijuana permits from a THCF clinic. Eleven of the patients who were named in the subpoena were legally registered patients with the State of Oregon's Department of Human Services medical marijuana program. The subpoena demanded that the State of Oregon turn over the THCF patients’ private medical records to the government.[12] Eventually a federal judge sided with THCF and the State of Oregon and granted a motion to quash both subpoenas. "Absent a further showing of necessity and relevance, compliance with the subpoena would impact significant State and medical privacy interests and is unreasonable," wrote Judge Robert H. Whaley of the U.S. Court Eastern District of Washington.[12]

References
  1. Dundas, Zach (January 24, 2007). "Garden of Weedin'". Willamette Week. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  2. Abney, Wes. "The Fighter" (September 2014). NW Leaf Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  3. KATU Communities Staff (September 19, 2012). "Salem to host cannabis tax act discussion on Sept. 28". KATU.com. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  4. King, Bonnie (January 14, 2011). "Oregon Marijuana Activists Make OCTA 2012 Official". Salem News. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  5. "The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF)". Cannabis.info. Cannabis.info. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  6. "Expo Cannabis". Expo Cannabis. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  7. News, Hemp. "Hemp News printed in Spanish". crrh.org. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  8. Belville, Russ (October 29, 2013). "Oregon's Inevitable Pot Legalization in 2014". High Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  9. Crombie, Noelle (March 20, 2012). "Willie Nelson throws his support behind proposed Oregon marijuana initiative". The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  10. Song, Anna (May 20, 2010). "How difficult is it to get a medical marijuana card?". KATU News. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  11. Scott, Tristan (January 11, 2010). "Applying for relief: Missoula clinic helps patients fill out paperwork for medical marijuana". Missoulian. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  12. Holden, Dominic (September 5, 2007). "US Court Rebukes DEA's Attempt to Crack Medical Marijuana Records". The Stranger. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
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