Top Takeaways from the Inaugural Leaf Learning Series
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Were you able to join us on Thursday, August 20th, for our first online Leaf Learning Series? If not, don’t worry! We plan to release an archive of the event at a future date. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to find out when the content is available! As a newsletter subscriber, you’ll also be the first to learn about our next session covering all things CBD hemp.
In the meantime, we thought we’d share some of the top cannabis takeaways from our inaugural session.
When it Comes to Cannabis, Everyone is Different
Everyone has an endocannabinoid system—but everyone’s endocannabinoid system is just a little bit different. Leaf411’s Founder and CEO/ED Katherine Golden, RN, and our Advisory Board member Dr. Dave Gordon from 4 Pillars Health & Wellness always recommend starting low and going slow when finding your optimal dose of CBD hemp or marijuana containing higher levels of THC, in part because everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique. The dose that works best for your friend or partner might not be the best amount of CBD or THC for you.
During the learning session, Dr. Dave also talked about how there’s no one best way to use cannabis. Different product types offer different benefits, depending on your health issues and wellness goals.
Understanding the basics of your endocannabinoid system and how CBD, THC and other cannabinoids interact with this system is a great place to start on your cannabis journey, saving you time and money as you begin exploring the best cannabis options for your health goals. That’s why we focused on Cannabis Therapeutics 101 for this first session!
In a subsequent session during the event, Dr. Dave addressed the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids like CBN for sleep, and THC-A as a non-intoxicating alternative to help manage pain and nausea. He also talked about how some peoples’ sensitivity to minuscule amounts of THC might actually be due to either inconsistent product quality or the type of product they’re using—this is a much more common experience with edibles as a result of how THC is metabolized by the liver.
Want to learn more? Keep an eye out for the recorded session, and in the meantime, we encourage you to look through our blog and Leaf Library, which includes useful FAQs.
Of course, you are always welcome to call us at no cost at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat us from the Leaf411.org homepage during our hotline hours.
Cannabis Medicine: Don’t Be Afraid of Inhalation
Dr. Dave and Katherine tackled one of the biggest hesitations many people have with cannabis—smoking and vaping. They discussed how inhalation methods may provide a safe, effective way to use cannabis medicine. Inhalation can be especially effective when seeking immediate relief for breakthrough pain or nausea. Dr. Dave suggested that vaping flower is a good approach, especially if you’re concerned about unwanted ingredients in vape cartridges.
If you are shopping for oil vapes, look for products with limited ingredients, and which don’t contain propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), or vitamin E acetate (the identified source of last year’s 2019 vaping-associated lung injuries).
Several of our supporting members have developed cannabis edibles that utilize cutting-edge technology to deliver a delta-9-THC inhalation type experience—check out Quiq’s wide range of products or Wana Brand’s Fact-Acting Gummies as examples of this new type of product.
Cannabis Product Quality Matters
At Leaf411, we know that quality matters. Product quality and safety are always in the front of our minds when we review potential members.
During our Leaf Learning Series, we were excited to provide a platform for many of our members to talk about their ingredient sourcing and product manufacturing processes. Attendees chatted with company representatives, including founders and CEOs, during live sessions and in the vendor expo hall.
Nature’s Gift Shop, an incredible family-owned dispensary in West Pueblo, and Lightshade Dispensary, with locations throughout the Denver metro area, both shared dispensary tours along with live Q&A, with participants asking questions about the different products they offer. Both dispensaries are dedicated to making every visit a positive experience by meeting consumers where they’re at, whether they’re brand new to cannabis or an experienced user. By the way, the next time you visit Nature’s Gift Shop, be sure to check out their Willie Nelson sculpture that was made by a local artist!
Robbie Wroblewski also provided an incredibly fun and interactive virtual tour of Seed & Smith’s Growhouse, answering a wide range of audience questions. While we missed smelling the extract room (a feature of their pre-COVID in-person tours), we appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at how cannabis is cultivated.
All of this content will be available on-demand soon. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for updates!
Learning From Top Cannabis Experts
Remember how we said that everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique? Cannabis retailers and manufacturers understand that consumers have different health goals, tolerances and product preferences as well!
Many of our supporting members employ food engineers, chemists and other industry experts to develop reliable, high-bioavailability cannabis products. If you weren’t able to attend the August 20th session, we hope you’ll find time to join us in the future, because you’ll be amazed by both our supporting members’ professional backgrounds and the science that they’re bringing to their product development!
A Special Thank You to CannOccasions
We also want to extend special recognition to the amazing CannOccasions team who managed the registration, online event platform and all logistics. If you’re seeking a professional cannabis events management company for your virtual or IRL event, we highly recommend CannOccassions!
Looking Forward to Our Next Leaf Learning Event: All About CBD
Our next Leaf Learning event will be all about CBD! We’ll cover the differences between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate forms of CBD hemp, and provide education to help you find the right CBD for your health goals.
We also know that many people, including first responders and healthcare workers, are concerned about whether CBD hemp can trigger positive workplace drug test results, despite the fact that it’s a non-intoxicating substance. Join us during our next Leaf Learning event to hear answers to these concerns and more.
We’re still in the process of scheduling our CBD hemp-focused Leaf Learning event. Sign up for our Leaf411 newsletter below to stay in the loop as we release more registration details!
Cannabis for Sleep: Tips to Find the Best Product for Your Needs
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Cannabis can be a powerful tool for a good night’s sleep, whether you’re dealing with stress or simply age-related insomnia, a topic we discussed in a recent blog post.
However, when it comes time to find the best cannabis products for sleep, your choices may feel overwhelming. Today, we’ll take a look at cannabis products legally sold in medical and adult-use (recreational) dispensaries, breaking down the options. If you’ve ever been confused when it comes to strains (chemovars), ratios, or the pros and cons of edibles versus inhaled products, then today’s blog post is for you.
A Quick Refresher on THC, CBD and Terpenes
We previously talked about the role that the cannabinoids THC and CBD play in our post on using cannabis for pain.
- CBD: This cannabinoid is the star player in hemp products which are federally legal. CBD hemp products are required to have below 0.3% THC, which is such a small amount that it’s not intoxicating and won’t get you high. You’ll also find CBD in cannabis products that contain higher levels of THC.
- THC: The cannabinoid responsible for the “high,” if used in large enough amounts. Cannabis products containing over 0.3% THC remain illegal at the federal level and can only be legally purchased in states that have legalized adult-use (recreational) or medical marijuana.
Of course, CBD and THC aren’t the full story. Terpenes are increasingly understood to play a major role in cannabis’s therapeutic benefits. Plant terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many different plants—for example, the relaxing linalool terpene is found in lavender as well as cannabis.
Terpenes and other plant compounds work together with cannabinoids to create an entourage effect that provides therapeutic benefits beyond any one single compound. Terpenes can also help buffer THC’s intoxicating impact, based on research conducted by Dr. Ethan Russo.
If you’ve ever wondered how some cannabis strains can promote relaxation and sleep while other strains are known for boosting energy and creativity, the answer is largely due to different terpene profiles. We’ll dig into this topic more below.
Finding the Best CBD:THC Ratio for Sleep
You may hear budtenders, your friends and especially the Leaf411 nurses talk about the importance of understanding the “ratio” in products. They’re referring to cannabis products manufactured with specific ratios of CBD to THC. For example, a 1:1 ratio product will contain equal parts of CBD and THC, while a 5:1 ratio product will contain five times as much CBD as THC. Understanding different ratios can be a huge help when finding the best sleep product.
Many of our supporting members manufacture different ratio products in addition to THC products. We encourage you to check out each manufacturer’s website to see the range of ratios they offer. Here are some examples showing how different options can help you dial in your cannabis dose for sleep:
Many people find success with a ratio product that’s THC dominant. While these can be more challenging to find, several of our supporting members, including Conscious Medz, have developed products to address this need.
Our Recommendation for the Best CBD:THC Ratio for Sleep
What’s the best ratio to start with? This depends on two factors: (1) The cause of your insomnia (pain, inflammation, stress, mind chatter, etc); and (2) How sensitive your body is to THC.
Typically, we suggest starting with the current gold standard which is a 1:1 ratio, equal parts of CBD to THC, following our mantra of starting with a very low dose and slowing building up. However, depending on your specific health concerns, you might do better with a different ratio. For example, if you have anxiety at night, a 2:1 ratio of 2 parts CBD to 1 part THC may be a safer choice since too much THC for your body can actually worsen anxiety.
Remember that you can always call our free nurse hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat us from the Leaf411.org homepage for personalized guidance that will help you save time and money.
What You Need to Know About Inhalable Cannabis for Sleep
You may be wondering how ratios work when it comes to cannabis flower (bud). Most cannabis sold in dispensaries is THC dominant, with very little CBD. That doesn’t mean that CBD-dominant strains don’t exist, though! They can be challenging to find and don’t necessarily provide the best sleep solution for everyone, however.
Remember, a small amount of CBD alone can actually make your mind more alert. If you’re trying a CBD-dominant flower, you’ll want to experiment with your inhaled dose earlier in the evening versus when your head is about to hit the pillow to ensure you are feeling the sedation you desire. You can always adjust by adding a bit of THC if not.
As you recall, THC and CBD are only part of the story. In the next section, we’ll dive into different cannabis strains and talk about how they impact sleep quality.
Cannabis Strains and Sleep: Untangling the Puzzle
What’s a cannabis strain (chemovar)? That question can be tricky, but it’s important to understand when shopping for cannabis. (Note: We use the terms “strain” and “chemovar” interchangeably, though chemovar is a scientifically more accurate representation of the compounds in the plant.)
Broadly speaking, cannabis strains are often sorted into one of three categories at the dispensary:
- Sativa: Provides an uplifting, energetic, creative high
- Indica: Provides calm and varying degrees of sedation
- Hybrid: Balanced effects
If you look at actual plant genetics, most of today’s legal cannabis is hybrid, combining the strongest genes from different plants to produce healthy flower. So why are these terms still used?
They continue to be used as a shorthand to describe the plant’s effects. In fact, those effects are mostly the result of other plant compounds—namely terpenes along with minor cannabinoids which give each strain its signature effect.
For example, our Supporting Member Seed & Smith offers two different flower strains, Midnite and White 99, with very similar THC potency levels. Based on that alone, you might expect both to have similar effects, but that’s not the case at all, in large part due to the different terpene profiles!
Midnite flower
Dominant Terpene: beta-Myrcene (sedating effect)
Subordinate Terpenes:
beta-Caryophyllene (stress relief)
Linalool (calming)
d-Limonene (stress relief but energizing)
White 99 flower:
Dominant Terpene: d-Limonene (stress relief but energizing)
Subordinate Terpenes:
beta-Caryophyllene (stress relief)
beta-Myrcene (sedating)
Linalool (calming)
Which one of these strains—Midnite or White 99—would you choose for the best chance of a restful sleep?
Our Leaf411 nurses would suggest trying the Midnite flower due to the dominant terpene causing sedation. That potency range is quite high though, so a word of caution would also be given by our nurses to start with one inhalation first and assess if that is enough for your intention.
Cannabis Strains and Edibles
Some infused product manufacturers also create products that utilize plant compounds from specific strains, or which reference either Sativa or Indica type effects. You’ll see those listed on several of the products above.
Strains are also impacted by cultivation factors, including whether the plants are grown outdoors or indoors along with individual cultivation processes including lighting, fertilizers, etc. That’s why your friend in another legal state might rave about the Black Ice strain for sleep, yet the flower you bought in your own state doesn’t compare.
All this is to say that while you may think strains are the entire story, it’s often not the case. However, strains can provide clues for what to expect.
Smokable Versus Edible Cannabis for Sleep
An additional consideration when shopping for cannabis for sleep is the route of administration—how you want to use cannabis.
To some extent, it’s a matter of personal preference and also the type of insomnia you’re trying to treat, whether that involves having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or both.
Smoking cannabis can be a responsible, safe method of administration in legal states; however, deep stigma remains around inhaling cannabis. Likewise, some people have concerns about the safety of vapes following the spike in vape-associated lung injuries last year, though the CDC traced most of those cases back to counterfeit or illicit vape cartridges containing Vitamin E acetate or other contaminants. In the face of the current pandemic, many people have also decided to stop smoking any substance, including cannabis, opting for edibles instead. And lastly, you may simply live in an apt, condo or shared housing where smoking is prohibited.
When you smoke or vape cannabis, the effects can be felt very rapidly, often within minutes. The intoxicating effects from smoking or vaping typically last between 2-4 hours.
From a sleep perspective, smoking or vaping may be beneficial for people who have a difficult time falling asleep. Inhalation may not fully meet your needs if you also have trouble staying asleep, though, since the effects will typically subside within the 4-hour mark.
Edibles including candies, tinctures and capsules typically have a longer onset—the amount of time it takes before you feel their effects. You can expect ingestion to take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours before you feel the effects, though those effects will last a lot longer—typically from 6-8 hours.
Edibles can be a good option if you have a tough time staying asleep throughout the night. However, you’ll want to make sure your schedule allows a full 8 hours of time for sleep.
A New Option on the Market: Quick-Acting Cannabis Edibles
Many manufacturers, including Quiq and Wana, are manufacturing new quick-acting edibles that take effect much more quickly, similar to inhaled products when it comes to timing. These new fast-acting products are a wonderful alternative to help with falling asleep. Remember, though, that what hits your body faster will also subside faster. Fast-acting ingestible products may take some trial and error before determining whether they’re better for early evening relaxation or insomnia.
The Leaf411 Mantra: Start Low and Go Slow (and Plan for a Full Night’s Sleep!)
If you’re using edible cannabis products, you’ll want to use the products 1-2 hours before bedtime instead of waiting until the moment you are climbing into bed. Timing your dose will allow you to relax before bedtime. Of course, it should go without saying, but don’t plan to drive while using any type of cannabis, because you never know how quickly the product will take effect.
Because everyone’s system is different, the minimum dose required for positive effects is also different—that’s why we always say to start low and go slow when trying a new cannabis product. How low? We suggest starting with 1/4 the suggested serving size on the package, or 1-2 mg of THC, whichever is lower.
If you’re smoking or vaping, this equals one inhalation at a time and waiting at least 15 minutes in between doses to assess your tolerance.
You may not feel anything at the lowest dose, but by starting low and going up slowly each night, you can build up your dose safely until you find the right amount that works for your body. When increasing by a milligram or less each night, you may still end up with a dose that makes you feel a bit too groggy in the morning or uncomfortable before falling asleep. If this happens, just go back to the dose that was comfortable and reassess after a few days. When using ingestible products (edibles and tinctures), it can take up to 2 hours for you to feel an effect, so allow plenty of time before increasing your dose.
Our Leaf411 nurses always guide our callers to safe use by cautioning about potential side effects from THC, which is dry mouth and an unsteady gait. We suggest keeping a glass of water at your bedside so there is no need to walk to the kitchen and risk falling when you feel the cannabis take effect. These precautions are very similar to those you’d take with any other sleep medications.
Get Your Cannabis Sleep Questions Answered During Our First Leaf Learning Series!
This Thursday, August 20, Leaf411 is launching our inaugural Leaf Learning Series: Get the 411 on Cannabis Therapeutics. Join us online from 4-7 p.m. MDT for a FREE beginner-friendly cannabis 101 presentation, followed by live Q & A with our own Co-Founder and CEO/ED Katherine Golden, RN, as well as Leaf411 Advisory Board member Dr. Dave Gordon from 4Pillars Health & Wellness. Sign up today at this link: https://hopin.to/events/leaf-learning
Many of our supporting members will be on-hand sharing information about their products and ready to answer your questions, including live Q&As with Medically Correct’s President Bob Eschino (maker of Quiq and incredibles); Stillwater Brands Ripple; and CAASI CBD’s Founder and CEO Lori Peck. Seed & Smith will host a virtual grow tour and Lightshade will also be providing a dispensary tour! You’ll also have the chance to meet one of Nature’s Gift Shop’s budtenders. We’ll also have a virtual expo hall with Wana, Ripple, Lightshade, Care by Design and Altus sharing information on their high-quality cannabis products.
Hop over to this link to reserve your spot: https://hopin.to/events/leaf-learning
Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter below, so that you can be the first to learn about upcoming events!
Leaf411 Supporter Spotlight: Lori Peck, Founder and CEO of CAASI CBD
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Leaf411 recently added our first supporting member from the State of Oregon—CAASI CBD!
While our vetting process is more virtual than in the past, we were impressed with CAASI founder and CEO Lori Peck’s story about why she started her company, as well her commitment to transparency throughout the manufacturing process.
(Just a reminder: Hemp-based CBD was made federally legal by the 2018 Farm Bill which allows it to be sold online and shipped to all 50 states. In order to meet the law, CBD hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC. This is such a small amount of THC that most people don’t feel any intoxicating effects from it.)
CAASI products contain CBD isolate, which doesn’t include any THC at all. Keep reading to learn more about Lori’s motivation for developing CAASI CBD, along with what makes her product different from CBD oils you might find at the grocery store.
Moving Past Stigma to Healing
Like many people, Peck was initially skeptical about anything related to cannabis.
“I bought into the stigma of cannabis. I didn’t know anything about it and hadn’t tried it since high school when I discovered that I’m very sensitive to THC,” Peck said.
A cancer diagnosis, along with several other life-changing events, inspired Peck to take a second look at CBD hemp’s potential to boost wellness. She found that it made a difference in her own life.
Based on her own experience, Peck was exploring the idea of putting together cannabis care kits for people who were fighting cancer. She began seeking out others who shared their expertise and discovered Hustle Hard: For Women Who Mean Business, a three-day intensive designed to launch female cannabis entrepreneurs. Hustle Hard has since grown into Females to the Front.
For Peck, the Hustle Hard event was transformative. “I was blown away by the amazing smart women that I met, including chemists, scientists, nurses and doctors working in the cannabis industry. Between my own experience using CBD hemp products and what I learned at Hustle Hard, I decided this was where I wanted to focus—developing clean, plant-based products that contain as few ingredients as possible,” she said.
Pivoting into Purpose-Driven Work
Peck majored in fashion design and spent years in corporate retail before launching CAASI.
“It was not my lifelong dream to be in corporate retail, but I gained a lot of experience on how to run a business. At the same time, my work lacked purpose. People don’t need new t-shirts all the time,” Peck said.
“Now, I’m doing work that I love, proving something that will be helpful for people,” she said.
Sourcing the Best CBD Available
Not all CBD is the same. That cheap bottle of CBD you find in the convenience store may only contain a fraction of the promised CBD, or it may have been manufactured using low-quality hemp.
Honest, high-quality CBD companies, on the other hand, are committed to sourcing hemp that utilizes industry best practices. They are also transparent, describing their processes and providing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) showing the results of third-party testing. CAASI is a prime example of a company doing CBD the right way.
“We start with hemp from Horn Creek Farm in Southern Oregon, where you’ll find some of the richest soil in the state,” Peck said. “They’re not FDA certified organic, but they use organic farming practices. They are just really good people.”
Sonically-Vibrated CBD to Improve Absorption
The hemp flower that Peck sources from Horn Creek Farm then goes to Scientia Labs for extraction. Transparency and scientific rigor are both central to Scientia Lab’s work.
“Scientia Labs isolates the CBD from the hemp. The CBD is broken down into a powder, and then that powder is mixed with organic MCT oils and just a few other ingredients,” Peck explained. “The challenge is that when you have oils, they don’t easily mix with liquids. That’s where the sonic vibration process makes a difference. When the product is sonically vibrated, it breaks the liquid down into nanoparticles that more readily mix with liquids, and which can be absorbed into your system much easier.”
This process also results in a product that lacks the bitterness of many CBD isolates.
Peck said, “A lot of isolates can tend to leave a bitter taste in your mouth, but the CAASI CBD drops mild enough that you can even use them in water. They’re also very versatile, since they’re unflavored.”
Partnering with Leaf411 on Education You Can Trust
“At CAASI, we recognize that education is important, especially for people who are new to CBD. We do our best to align ourselves with experts like Leaf411 who are really knowledgeable and have the professional background to answer questions about medication interactions, for example,” Peck said. “It also provides credibility for us to be able to say we’ve completed your vetting process and meet the standards for a product that a clinical professional might suggest.”
Check Out CAASI at Our Upcoming Leaf411 Learning Series Launch!
CAASI will be joining the upcoming Leaf411 Learning Series Launch on August 20, 2020, as one of the vendors in our virtual expo hall. Stop by the booth to say hello and learn more about how CAASI’s CBD drops are different. Sign up for our our Learning Series at this link: https://hopin.to/events/leaf-learning
CAASI will also be featured in an upcoming MJ Lifestyle VIP Plant Wellness Subscription Box, and will soon be available in select retail locations in the Portland, Oregon, area. Remember that you can also order trial size or full size products directly from their website.
Helping You Find CBD Products and Information You Can Trust
At Leaf411, our commitment is to you—the public. Whether you’re looking for CBD products you can trust, or medically-sound information on CBD, we can help. Call our anonymous nurse-staffed hotline for free at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat us from our homepage during hotline hours.
Also, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can be the first to learn about our upcoming initiatives. Sign up below!
Leaf411 Affordability Program Q&A
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Leaf411’s new Affordability Program was created to help offset financial challenges many people face when accessing legal cannabis or CBD hemp products.
We know you have questions about the program. Below, we’re sharing some answers to questions we commonly hear. Keep reading to learn more about the program and how to apply.
What does the Affordability Program provide?
The Affordability Program features two components:
- Working with manufacturers and dispensaries to offer low-cost CBD hemp and marijuana products to qualifying patients. Manufacturers are often eager to share deeply discounted or donated products that might otherwise go unused or be discarded due to product expiration.
- Creating scholarships to reduce costs associated with medical marijuana card evaluations, with a priority placed on pediatric evaluations. The State of Colorado requires pediatric patients to undergo two independent provider evaluations for a medical card. This means most parents need to drive to two different clinics, take time off for two different appointments which doubles the cost for their families.
Do I need to live in Colorado to participate?
Initially, the Leaf411 Affordability Program will be limited to Colorado residents and cannabis businesses, with future plans to extend it to other states that have legal cannabis in place. Why is that? Individual states have unique restrictions and regulations. As we expand, we want to make sure our Affordability Program remains compliant with all state and local laws.
Note: CBD hemp is federally legal and can be legally shipped across state lines. We invite CBD hemp retailers to contact us if you’re interested in participating in Leaf411’s Affordability program either in your own state or at the national level.
What are the income eligibility criteria? Do you take into account extenuating circumstances like recent job loss?
We use a means test to determine eligibility, which is why we ask for your gross monthly income. Our means test is based on guidelines that you’re likely familiar with, including Medicare/Medicaid, TANF and SSI.
However, we realize that your monthly income may not be the full story. For many people, the pandemic has resulted in either reduction in pay or outright job loss. Other people are finding themselves stretching their dollars even further as they provide extra support to family or friends.
The bottom line for us that we don’t want cost to be a barrier to accessing CBD hemp or cannabis for health concerns. If you’re not certain whether you’ll qualify, reach out to us and let us know your specific circumstances and we’ll do all we can to help.
Can I apply on behalf of my child or someone else?
Yes. Parents and legal guardians are able to apply for pediatric patients and disabled adults if unable to do so themselves.
Can I apply on behalf of my pet?
We love our four-legged friends at Leaf411, and have even seen firsthand the power that CBD has in improving our pets’ quality of life! However, our Affordability Program’s focus is only on people, not pets, at this time.
Do I need to already have experience using CBD hemp or marijuana to qualify?
No, you do not need any past experience with CBD hemp or marijuana to participate in our Affordability Program. In fact, our Leaf411 nurses can help you determine the best place to start in conjunction with the Affordability Program–for instance, if you’re wondering whether you need a medical marijuana card, or if you have questions about CBD hemp versus marijuana bought at a dispensary. Call us for free at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat us from the Leaf411.org homepage during hotline hours with your questions.
Where can I find the application?
You’ll find the application at the “Apply Now” button on the bottom of our Affordability Program page, below the logos of our program partners and sponsors.
The application form seems intimidating. Will I have to supply all of my medical records to you?
No, we do not require you to submit medical records or disclose detailed health information. However, we know that some participants may voluntarily share sensitive health information with us which may be shared on a need-to-know basis within the program staff.
What steps are you taking to keep my information secure?
Your information will never be shared outside of Leaf411’s organization and all applications are kept in an online file within the organization’s operating system.
How do I find out if I qualified?
After you apply, you’ll receive an email within about 48 hours letting you know if your application was approved or denied.
Once I qualify, then what happens?
Approved applicants will receive an email letting them know they have been accepted into the Affordability Program. They will then start receiving notifications via email and have access to a private patient portal page on the Leaf411 website that will detail discounted medicine and products, services and other information for participants.
How long am I part of the program?
You are enrolled in the program on an annual basis, and will need to reapply each year if you wish to continue.
What happens if I don’t qualify? Can I appeal or request more information about the decision?
Our goal is to improve access to CBD hemp and marijuana for patients who otherwise might not be able to afford it. We’ve put safeguards in place to ensure we reach as many people in need as possible, while also protecting the program from abuse that could quickly deplete our resources.
We will always reach out to you to answer questions if your application is denied. We understand that in some cases, misunderstandings about the application process may play a role, or that technology issues, language barriers or other circumstances may be an issue as well. Our goal is to help you, whether that’s through the Affordability Program, education or other resources.
Can the med card scholarships be used at any provider offering MMJ evaluations?
The med card scholarships can only be used at providers who give discounts through Leaf 411’s Affordability Program. You’ll receive a list of those providers after qualifying for the program.
What CBD hemp and marijuana companies are participating?
You can find a list of participating industry partners at the bottom of our Affordability Program page on our website. Once you qualify for the program, you’ll receive updated information about specific products available, as well as where to purchase them.
I still have more questions. Who can I contact?
Amy Dawn Bourlon-Hilterbran, Affordability Program Chair, can help with any questions you have about the Affordability Program, whether you’re a patient or potential industry partner.
For other questions, use our Contact Page to get in touch.