On September 24, Eaze announced the official launch of Eaze Compassion . The statewide program that “targets patients left behind by California’s Proposition 64.” 

Eaze, which identifies as the nation’s largest cannabis delivery marketplace, is striving to restore medical cannabis access among those who have been deprived access due to flaws in California’s cannabis law system. The company has distributed more than 7.8 million cannabis deliveries to-date.

“Many compassion programs folded in the early green rush, leaving behind the very people cannabis was legalized to help,” said the Chief Executive Officer of Eaze, Ro Choy. “Eaze Compassion gives companies an easy way to donate and distribute products they’d otherwise have-to destroy, so I hope even more brands will join the program.”

Through collaborating with a network of brands and compassionate care organizations, the Eaze team is confident that they can help to execute the goals laid out in Senator Scott Wiener’s Senate Bill 34, titled “the Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Act.” The Act was signed into law by Governor Newsom in October 2019.

“Cannabis is medicine. Nobody should be forced to live with the effects of debilitating pain, PTSD, Multiple Sclerosis, or any other illness because they can’t pay or live under a local ban,” said Senator Wiener. “I thank Eaze and the many organizations that are donating cannabis for helping make the Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Compassionate Care Act a reality for patients.”

About Eaze Compassion 

According to an official press release published by the company, Eaze Compassion “bridges the “last mile” between low-income patients and the products they need to survive and thrive.”

“Utilizing Eaze’s statewide network of brands and delivery drivers, Eaze Compassion aggregates donated products and then — working with leading compassion organizations including Weed For Warriors, Operation Evac, This Is Jane Project and Brownie Mary Democratic Club — identifies patients shut out from the legal market by high taxes or residency in the 70% of California jurisdictions where legal cannabis commerce is banned,” the press release continues.

How is patient eligibility determined for Eaze Compassion applicants?

Patients can find out if they are eligible to receive medical cannabis under the Eaze Compassion project after close evaluation by the company’s partner organizations. Numerous types of criteria will be assessed to determine a patient’s eligibility for medical cannabis in California, including personal requirements, income level and medical diagnosis. Interested patients are encouraged to contact the following organizations for eligibility information:

• Operation Evac
• Weed for Warriors
• This is Jane Project
• Bay Area Americans for Safe Access 
• Dear Cannabis.

“Partnering with Eaze Compassion has been momentous for This is Jane Project! Eaze’s seamless onboarding and delivery process, plus the dedication of their team members, was a game changer in facilitating no cost cannabis donations for women and non-binary trauma survivors, said Shannon DeGrooms, Executive Director of This Is Jane Project, “A market that excludes patients is bogus. Together with partners like Eaze, we are committed to doing something about it.”

The program would not be possible without donations from licensed cannabis brands. Examples of the brands that are participating in Eaze’s new business venture include Fume’s Lake Grade, Island, S*SHOTS, SF Roots and Tempo.

“If we don’t donate unused product, we’re forced to destroy it under California’s rules. That’s heartbreaking given all the care and natural resources that go into every Fumé flower,” said Eric Sklar, CEO of Fumé Brands. His company has delivered more than 8,000 units of product to medical cannabis patients via Eaze Compassion. “Donating is a win-win — for us, because our plants are doing the most good, and for low-income patients, who can now access safe, legal medicine for free.”

Two years of lobbying led to the return of California’s Compassionate Care program. Prop 64 banished compassionate care by taxing donations in the same way as sales. Fortunately, two years of advocating, lobbying and organizing meant that Californians were reunited with the Compassionate Care program via Senate Bill 34.