The one-business that proved it is possible to make money with cannabis just like any other business showed us this. A leading Arizona dispensary gathers donations monthly, and last month, successfully donated to a children’s hospital.

Flagstaff Business News reports that during the most recent month of donations, GreenPharms has been fundraising for Phoenix Children’s Hospital—making it the first cannabis company that the hospital has ever partnered with to date.

Marie Saloum is the owner of GreenPharms dispensaries. She said that it’s a personal project for her. “The work and effort that Phoenix Children’s Hospital provides the community is incredible,” said Saloum. “About two years ago, my friend’s child was admitted into the hospital and the care and treatment they received saved their life.”

You can help the children of need by becoming a current patron. GreenPharms is offering an in-house pre-roll, a $10 value, to anyone who donates a minimum of $5 to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

All proceeds donated to Phoenix Children’s Hospital from GreenPharms will aid in saving the lives of children, Flagstaff Business News reports.

This is significant. Because donations from cannabis companies are routinely rejected in multiple states by various entities—including organizations linked with children’s hospitals. Forbes reported in 2019 that donations from Organa Brands, for instance, were swiftly rejected by charities like Wounded Warriors and Children’s Hospital Foundation.

AZ Big Media reports that GreenPharms is a signature “deli-style” dispensary founded in 2013, with a large hybrid cultivation facility and extraction laboratory located on-site. GreenPharms is the recipient of numerous Cannabis Industry Awards, as well as other local honors like New TimesBest of Phoenix Award Winner. GreenPharms is located in Flagstaff, and has an office in Mesa.

The Arizona Department of Revenue reported that marijuana sales fell to $115million, which is a very low figure. However, the market remains a billion-dollar industry, and Grand View Research projects that the market will be worth $70.6 billion in 2028.

For donations, please visit GreenPharms Flagstaff dispensary located at Flagstaff’s 7121 US-89 Flagstaff. Or in Mesa at 235 East Hampton Ave #115.

Others dispensaries give back

The article highlights the creative ways dispensaries can give back to hospitals, or other similar facilities. Greenhouse, Walled Lake (Michigan) offered a donation program that gave away pre-rolls for patrons who donated blood. Owner Jerry Millen collaborated with UBaked Cannabis Edibles of Burton, Mighican on the “Pot for Plasma” promotion.

That particular program was made possible due to the fact that the American Red Cross doesn’t bar people who smoke pot from donating blood or plasma.

Some donation programs don’t always go as planned, and sometimes it’s just over worry about losing favor in achieving nonprofit status. It can also be an issue of conflict of interests.

D.A.R.E. America for example, rejected donations from cannabis companies and issued a press statement distancing itself from them. The company has an “absolute policy of never accepting donations from corporations, businesses, or individuals whose primary source of income results from the production and/or sale of alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or cannabis.”

In some states, however, the connection between marijuana and healthcare is deteriorating fast. California has some hospitals that allow medical cannabis. The legislation was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year and allows for medical cannabis products to be allowed in eligible hospitals.

NORML reports that Senate Bill 311, or Ryan’s Law,  provides for “a terminally ill patient’s use of medicinal cannabis within [a] health care facility.”