News for $MJNA - (Statewide Medical Cannabis Nonprofit Launches Awareness Initiative)
TAYLOR, Mar 27, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Patients who might benefit
from Medical Marijuana for cancer treatments and other qualifying medical
conditions now have a new resource for information and advocacy.
Michigan Compassion launched in January and is the state's only federally
recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated solely to Medical Cannabis Education and
Advocacy. The organization is one of only four in the country to be granted this
nonprofit status. Michigan Compassion is different from most Medical marijuana
organizations because it does not dispense Cannabis and cannot lobby. Its
mission is to help the public, patients and healthcare professionals understand
what Medical Cannabis is and what conditions can be helped by it. The
organization also helps patients and professionals navigate the Michigan Medical
Marihuana Act passed in 2008 along with all the recent related bills and changes
to the MMMA.
Michigan Compassion, formerly known as the Downriver Community Compassion Club,
has always considered itself a trusted resource in southern Wayne County for
Medical Cannabis education and advocacy. Upon the approval of its 501(c)3, it
expanded its name and outreach to help all of Michigan with continuing education
about the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act and Medical Cannabis.
Cannabis is the botanical name for marijuana and can be used for pain
management, reduction of epileptic seizures, Multiple sclerosis, Crohn's
Disease, relief of nausea and vomiting, and killing cancer cells along with many
others. The benefits vary by condition and patient, according to clinical
studies.
Michigan Compassion was founded by a Medical Cannabis patient who has
experienced first-hand the benefits of its use.
"Through my own experience using Cannabis and the improvement I saw in my health
and that of others, I realized there was a need for a statewide organization
dedicated to bringing awareness to those who didn't understand or know about the
law or medicinal value of this plant," explains Heidi Parikh, executive director
and founder of Michigan Compassion.
Parikh points out that there are many organizations around the state that
support the use of Medical Cannabis, but none are recognized by the federal
government as 501(c)3 nonprofit. The political nature of the medical marijuana
issue led Parikh and her supporters to differentiate from dispensary-like clubs
so they could raise funds for advocacy efforts and be recognized as a vetted
charitable organization.
In December 2012, the Michigan Attorney General's Office granted approval to
Michigan Compassion to solicit in the State of Michigan for Cannabis and Cancer
awareness. Soon after, the first Cannabis awareness billboards went up on major
highways in southeast Michigan with the message, "The Answer to Cancer,
Cannabis." Though some may consider this a provocative message, it would only be
natural to start with cancer first, states Parikh, considering there is often no
time to waste in getting treatment. The billboards will eventually reach
throughout the state.
Michigan Compassion continues to take Medical Cannabis mainstream as it has
become the only nonprofit Medical Marijuana organization in the country to
receive a "lifetime" grant from Google. Parikh says the yearly $240,000 in-kind
donation will be used to heighten Michigan Compassion's profile in search
engines and gain it national visibility.
Michigan Compassion currently operates by a volunteer board of directors and is
funded through donations, memberships, and in-kind services. It also has planned
giving options and corporate sponsorships. The organization has earned the
GuideStar Exchange Seal, demonstrating its commitment to transparency. It is
currently exploring the possibility of opening chapters in other areas of the
state.
For more information, visit www.mycompassion.org or call 734-931-0620.
CONTACT: Heidi Parikh
Executive Director
734-931-0620 office
734-678-9675 mobile
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