Oct. 18, 2020 Media Release

OPENING TO THE PUBLIC MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 AT 12:00 P.M.

LEES SUMMIT, Mo. – fresh.green dispensary, located at 1041 NE Sam Walton Lane, will open its doors Monday, October 19 at noon with medical marijuana product available to state-approved patients.

fresh.green is the first dispensary with medical marijuana to open west of St. Louis in Missouri. fresh.green’s second location, located at 7130 Wornall Road in Kansas City, is nearing construction completion.

The dispensaries will offer a fine selection of locally cultivated flower and eventually delightfully crafted infused edibles and lab-tested manufactured THC products. 

Few cultivators are currently operating, meaning inventory will be limited at dispensaries statewide for the next months. Though 60 cultivation facilities have been licensed by the state, only 9 are currently approved to operate. Two cultivators have submitted medical marijuana for testing. 

“fresh.green looks forward to continuing to grow our inventory for patients as our industry partners are approved,” said Bianca Sullivan, dispensary owner. “It’s amazing to see this industry come to life with so much support throughout the state.”

For the opening, the dispensary will have pre-ground medical marijuana flower available for purchase, including the strains Paris XXX OG and Critical Mass. fresh.green is expecting additional inventory in the next weeks from their cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution partners. Those interested can check freshgreen.com for inventory updates.

Both available strains were grown by Solhaus, a southeast Missouri outdoor state-licensed cultivator. The flower was tested and approved for sale by state-licensed lab MoCann Labs. Both strains available Monday will be available in pre-packaged 3.5-gram pre-ground form. 

The dispensary will also have locally-owned and operated Hari Om Hemp products. Hari Om owner and registered nurse Leigh Carr will be on-site to consult with patients about using cannabis therapeutically. 

fresh.green dispensary is a state-licensed and approved dispensary that can only sell to Missouri patients who have received their patient care card from the state. Discounts are available for veterans, seniors, and low-income patients.

As of October 16, the State of Missouri has approved two testing labs, 9 cultivation facilities, and 10 dispensaries to operate. Additionally, 14 more facilities have requested their commencement inspection and are in the process of approval in order to operate. 

No manufacturing facilities, where anything from edibles to capsules to pre-rolls are made, have requested state inspection and are currently approved to operate.

WHAT TO EXPECT MONDAY

• Patients must bring 
  • government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license; 
  • a copy of the patient card, 
  • cash or debit cards for purchases. 
• Masks are required for entry. 
• For the initial opening, only pre-ground flower will be available for purchase. Patients are encouraged to check freshgreendispensaries.com for inventory updates.

ABOUT FRESH.GREEN

fresh.green dispensaries are owned and operated by Rob and Bianca Sullivan, longtime Lee’s Summit residents. The Sullivans, both lawyers, applied and received two dispensary licenses from the State of Missouri in January 2020. From volunteering Prop 215, the first legal medical marijuana law in the United states and at an AIDS non-profit in the 90s to helping clients at Sullivan Law, Bianca is a woman with a passion for medical cannabis that only matches her education and experience. 

HOW TO BECOME A PATIENT

Missouri’s medical marijuana program was established in 2018 with over 65% of voter approval. The program has a constitutional framework that outlines 9 specific qualifying conditions, as well as permitting physicians to certify patients for other conditions. 

Per Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution, a qualifying medical condition is:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment
• A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome
• Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress order if diagnosed by a state-licensed psychiatrist
• Human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to physical or psychological dependence, when a physician determines that medical use of marijuana could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medication
• A terminal illness
• In the professional judgment of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating, or other medical condition, including, but not limited to, hepatitis C,
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, Huntington’s disease, autism, neuropathies, sickle cell anemia, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia, and wasting syndrome.”

Patients must visit a physician to be certified as having a qualifying condition in order to make a purchase at a dispensary. To receive a patient care card from the state, both the patient and the physician must file paperwork with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and await approval after paying a processing fee. Patient cards are accessed as a printable PDF provided by the state. Approved patients have a constitutional right to purchase medical marijuana from licensed facilities and possess medical marijuana within possession limits. 

There are over 65,000 patients in the state of Missouri. Many clinics around the state offer certification services, most also offering telehealth services for increased ease of access. 

ABOUT CANNABIS AND CANNABINOIDS

The most commonly known compounds are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the component that produces the “high” associated with marijuana use. Much interest has been seen around CBD and its potential related to health benefits.

THC is an antiemetic and orexigenic compound predominantly found in cannabis and can reduce nausea and vomiting while increasing appetites. 

CBD is a single compound found in the cannabis plant known to reduce pain and anxiety, as well as reduce insomnia and seizures for some. 

Cannabis has over 100 identified cannabinoids, which make up to 40 percent of plant extract. 

Cannabis being extensively studied throughout the world for its potential to treat conditions ranging from migraines to cancers to epilepsy and beyond. Cannabis is also a go-to for treating symptoms related to AIDS. The FDA approved a cannabis-based medication for anxiety and insomnia this spring. Previously, the FDA approved a separate prescription CBD-based medication to treat two rare, severe forms of epilepsy. 

It is vital patients inform their physician about use of medical marijuana. 

ABOUT THE STRAINS

Paris XXX OG is a hybrid strain, meaning it is a product of crossing indica and sativa strains. It has 10.78 percent THC and 0.02 percent CBD. Descended from strains such as OG Kush, Headband OG, and Chemdawg, this strain is known to relax the body and stimulate the mind and appetite. The Paris OG family of strains has placed in many Cannabis Cup competitions and is regarded as fast-acting. This is a popular strain for those seeking relaxation, pain relief, and insomnia relief. 

Indica strain Critical Mass, with 11.31 percent THC and 0.05 percent CBD, is a calming strain. Increased consumption can leave users sleepy. A cross between Afghani and Skunk #1, Critical Mass is known for inspiring creativity, calmness, and sleepiness. This strain is named for the tendency of the plant’s branches to break under the weight of the flowers. This is a popular strain for those seeking relaxation, pain relief, and insomnia relief.