cannabisnews.com: Introduction To Genesis 1:29 Introduction To Genesis 1:29 Posted by FoM on November 28, 1999 at 10:01:25 PT By Maer Israel Source: Genesis 1:29 When the Genesis Foundation asked me to ride along on a delivery, my mind conjured up an image from a bad 80's television show: Wait until the cover of night, drive to some remote location to meet, and deliver the merchandise. That image was quickly shattered by a well thought out process and a hard working group of volunteers dedicated to changing the country - one law, one judge, one district attorney, one cop, one doctor, and one patient at a time. Proposition 215, passed by California voters in November of 1996 paved the way for this group, led by Robert "Duke" Schmidt and Sydney Ford. Nearly two weeks after Proposition 215 was passed, the Genesis Foundation was formed. Presently, it is stands as the only organization in the country that possesses a state license to cultivate, harvest, and distribute clinical cannabis to patients.** This was the foundation's fifth delivery, and the destination was Petaluma Valley Hospital in Sonoma County, California. We climbed in the pickup truck the local Ford Motor Company dealership specially outfitted for the foundation. On the way, Duke (who is, to understate the case, an energetic man raging with information and ideas) explained the organization's immediate future plans interjected with parts of a spiritual diatribe. Duke is, as is the case with many in the foundation, an extremely spiritual man. Shortly after meeting the man, one understands that he has a firm understanding of his actions, beliefs, and relationship with the world. He does not have a limited concept of what Genesis does, but instead expounds upon the unlimited benefits wrought from the organization - presently, and in the future. Ted Perry is a 41 year old paraplegic who lives in Sonoma County. Disabled while serving in the Army in Germany, he has used clinical cannabis for 19 years to treat the chronic pain through out his back and hips. When we arrived, he seemed elated to see Duke, and welcomed us warmly. Presently in the hospital for an infection on his legs caused by several insect stings, he has been a recipient of the foundation's for 14 months. Ted reached for his wallet, and pulled out his Genesis Foundation recipient card, which identifies him as a clinical cannabis patient only by a number. Duke took the card and checked it against a patient list to ensure Ted's identity. The card is bright blue and white, but makes no allusion as to what it signifies for two reasons: so as not to endanger the patient, and to avoid abuse of the distribution program. Duke opened his brief case, took Ted's card, and began writing a receipt. With the cannabis in hand, Ted took out a small pipe emblazed with a red cross that Genesis supplied him. "Victory. This is victory," he declared. Ted has been subject to the punitive laws for nearly two decades which have at many times jailed him for "drug offenses." After meeting this man, extremely intelligent, physically fit, with a sharp awareness - it is evident that he is not a criminal. He is merely a patient like any other. Ted has been in the hospital for three weeks, medicated with morphine and Demerol. He has absolutely no desire to be medicated with heavy narcotics. "Being confined to a wheel chair, I have enough physical and emotional problems without being hooked on heavy narcotics," he stated. Without the cannabis, he believes that he would have a difficult time dealing with the withdrawal of these drugs when his hospital stay is over. "This may be the first hospital in the country to allow a patient to use clinical cannabis within its facilities," Ted declared. "That's a real powerful thing." Due to the use of oxygen in the building, Ted is not able to use the cannabis inside, but the hospital allows him to go outside to use the medication. The cooperation of the hospital acknowledging patients' needs in this manner is something both Ted and the Genesis foundation are immensely proud of. Ted is the ninth member of Genesis...One patient among dozens that the foundation administers its own clinical cannabis to. This number gives rise to a 7,500 ounce per month demand in the San Francisco Bay area, which the organization cannot currently provide. Given this, Genesis does not refuse legitimate patients (those who posses the appropriate documentation from a physician.) The foundation maintains a close relationship not only with its patients, but their physicians and caregivers (friends or family members who assist the patients) as well. Unlike a pharmacy, where a patient merely picks up a prescription, the foundation provides information and support for its patients. Both Duke and Sydney vehemently state that in order for the program to work effectively, constant communication must occur between the foundation and those who treat the recipients for many reasons. The most important reason being to respond to patient needs quickly and effectively. Attempting to describe the Genesis Foundation entirely or all the work its volunteers do is a overwhelming endeavor. Genesis attacks on all fronts: law, medicine, industry, politics, media, community, and spirituality. To operate effectively, the organization must have the cooperation of many people from all sectors of the community: district attorneys, judges, politicians, lawyers, police, community leaders, business owners, writers, photographers, botanists, and volunteers from the community. As the foundation picks up momentum, all these people become integral to the main goal: the safe, legal, and timely administration of the medicine patients require. The Genesis Foundation's license also includes the ability to manufacture cannabis related products. Click the link to read much more:Genesis 1:29's Web Sitehttp://www.genesis129.org/ Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by Flora Care on January 11, 2001 at 15:42:35 PT GREATINGS CHECKING IN ON YOU GUYS.HELLO FROM ALL OF US.THANK YOUJENELLE L. DAFFRON [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by observer on December 12, 2000 at 20:45:39 PT google cache trick For the time being (who knows for how long), you can use google's page chache to dig out copies of the missing pages. For example...for this page:http://www.genesis129.org/try this cache access:http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.genesis129.orgfor this page:http://www.genesis129.org/about.htmlcache:http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.genesis129.org/about.htmletc.Hope that helps! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 12, 2000 at 20:22:49 PT The web site link isn't working Hello Donald,The link to their web site isn't working. I'm not sure what happened to it. Maybe they are upgrading and the site will be back up soon.Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Donald on December 12, 2000 at 20:14:13 PT: Info Request Greetings, I am a chronic pain sufferer and I have a written physician's statment. I am also an Oakland CBC member. I was inquiring about your facility location, prices, and membership requirements. I would appreciate a response Thank you, Donald [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 19, 2000 at 10:52:22 PT It's down Hi Abdullah,I just checked the link on my home page and in a search tool and the web site is down. Hopefully it isn't down accept to fix something. I'll try the link later on today to see if it is back up.Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Abdullah Muhammad Ba on November 19, 2000 at 10:23:39 PT: genesis website not displayed please send address in petaluma [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: