Article By Michael Moses • Centre of St Pete Beach
Access and Affordability:
The medical cannabis industry is still in its infancy in Florida but companies are already in position to help patients get the medicine they need. More than 300,000 Florida residents have qualified for a medical marijuana card since the state legalized its use for certain health conditions.
The products available vary amongst the several dispensaries that are spread around the county. Learning what works best for you can be a challenging and time-consuming process.
While there are no dispensaries on the barrier islands south of Clearwater Beach, Paradise NEWS readers have access to a growing list of related goods and services through The Centre of St. Pete Beach. In front of Walgreens, adjacent to Lenny’s Surf shop on Blind Pass and 76th Ave., The Centre is a Cannabis-centric wellness and education facility run by a longtime health care professional, to help patients satisfy their needs. Dr. Luis Ycaza is on site twice a week on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons to interview patients seeking to obtain Florida State Medical Marijuana ID cards. The Centre sponsors a variety of yoga, meditation and relaxation classes as well as demonstrations on extracting and cooking with CBD and THC. Experts are available for a variety of demonstrations.
Arrangements are being made for dispensaries to make regular deliveries of medicine to patients at the Centre or their homes. MUV, one of the best (and farthest away) area dispensaries, already meets patients there twice each month.
CBD is the non-psychoactive component of the hemp plant that is being widely distributed on practically every block in town. While access is not regulated like the medical variety that has over 3% THC, quality varies widely. The Centre researched many available product lines before settling on the locally made Impirica line of CBD products for humans and pets, which are the #1 tested brand, offering a full range of products.
“Besides their quality and testing, we love the fact that Impirica offers huge discounts (up to 60% off retail) for people who are veterans,patients with long term disability and those with low income who need access to a trusted source of CBD products. If you are a member of one of these three groups, go to thecentrespb.com and fill out the application under the Assistance Programs tab. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries offer discounts from 5%-15% for the same qualified Clients.
The Centre is located at 7525 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706. Mon-Sat 8:30am-4:30pm and on Sundays by appointment. For information visit www.thecentrespb.com or call 727-258-2001.
Testimonials-
Crystal S (fitness person), “Medical Marijuana saved my life, Thanksgiving 2018 to New Years 2019, I was hospitalized for Asthma Attacks THREE (3) times plus TWO (2) Paramedic visits to my home. Since getting my card and taking Medical Marijuana I have been Asthma attack free for 13 months and I am able once again to work out and compete in Body Fitness Competitions”
Nurse Ana, “I have a non-cancerous but inoperable brain tumor, I was in constant pain and I am allergic to pain medications. Medical Marijuana has eliminated my pain and my swelling so much that 9 months later I rarely have to use my Medical Marijuana!”
JJ, “I have worn an ankle corset for nearly a year… Once I used the topical, I removed my ankle corset, now it is 8 months later and I haven’t worn it since….!”