We recently connected with Georgia Medical Cannabis Society, Inc. and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Georgia Medical , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

At the Georgia Medical Cannabis Society (GMCS), we are committed to serving underserved communities, including indigent individuals, veterans, seniors, and disabled persons. These groups face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and medical cannabis. Through advocacy, education, and compassionate care, GMCS provides a voice and resources for those often overlooked in the healthcare system.

Why This Matters
Patients in Georgia’s medical cannabis program face challenges that go beyond obtaining a medical cannabis card. One of the most significant hurdles is the high cost of medical cannabis medications, which can be prohibitive for many, especially those on fixed incomes or dealing with chronic conditions. We have consistently heard from our members about how difficult it is to afford the medicine they need to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

To help alleviate some of this financial burden, we partnered with Fine Fettle dispensary and Veriheal to offer discount codes for medication and the medical card evaluation. While these discounts are a step in the right direction, we know it’s not enough. We are actively working to expand our Compassionate Care Program to provide more substantial financial assistance, even as the federal illegality of cannabis creates challenges in accessing broader resources.

How GMCS Serves Underserved Communities
GMCS addresses these challenges through a multifaceted approach:

Advocacy for Patients: We serve as the voice of patients, sharing their struggles and needs with policymakers, healthcare providers, and the wider community. We ensure their stories are heard and advocate for reforms that put patients over profits.

Compassionate Care: Through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships, we work to reduce financial barriers to medical cannabis access. Our partnerships with Fine Fettle and Veriheal are one of many ways we aim to ease the financial burden for patients.

Social Justice Initiatives: GMCS is actively working to expand its social justice efforts, including reentry support for individuals with cannabis-related convictions. In the meantime, we connect individuals to organizations like the Georgia Justice Project, Last Prisoner Project, and NORML, which specialize in expungement, reentry programs, and advocacy for justice reform. By sharing these resources, we ensure that those in need have access to the tools and support required to rebuild their lives.

Education and Empowerment: Programs like the Pressure Play series, GMCS Masterclass and our upcoming Holistic Health and Healing Summit educate our community about the medical benefits of cannabis and empower individuals to engage in legislative advocacy. These workshops equip patients and advocates with the knowledge and skills to demand change.

Media Advocacy: With our media partner, the CannaShame Network (CSN), we share impactful stories that combat stigma and humanize the issues surrounding cannabis. These stories inspire others and foster understanding of the importance of cannabis reform.

Why It Matters
Serving underserved communities means addressing not only the financial and logistical barriers to medical cannabis but also the systemic injustices that perpetuate those barriers. At GMCS, we’re proud to advocate for patients, provide financial relief through programs like our partnerships with Fine Fettle and Veriheal and connect individuals with social justice organizations like the Georgia Justice Project, Last Prisoner Project, and NORML.

By amplifying patient voices, sharing their stories, and offering tangible support, we’re building a future where no one is left behind. Our work remains focused on breaking down barriers and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the care and resources they deserve. Though challenges remain, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a compassionate, equitable system that puts patients before profits.

Georgia Medical , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Georgia Medical Cannabis Society (GMCS) is a transformative nonprofit organization that has been advocating for access, equity, and compassion since its founding in 2019. Co-founded by Yolanda “The Herbal Trucker” Bennett and Angela Weston, GMCS is dedicated to helping indigent individuals, veterans, seniors, and disabled persons navigate Georgia’s low-dose THC program. Through a combination of education, advocacy, and compassionate care, GMCS is breaking barriers and fostering systemic change in the medical cannabis space.

From Personal Experiences to Collective Advocacy
Yolanda Bennett and Angela Weston co-founded GMCS after experiencing firsthand the life-changing benefits of medical cannabis. Bennett’s health journey highlighted the obstacles that many underserved communities face in accessing this vital medicine. Weston, a dedicated educator, brought her expertise to create programs that empower individuals and dispel the stigma surrounding cannabis. Together, they built an organization committed to patient-first advocacy and equitable access.

Comprehensive Programs and Services
GMCS addresses the medical, financial, and social challenges its community faces through a variety of impactful programs:

Compassionate Care Program (led by Yolanda Bennett): This program provides financial assistance via partnerships for medical cannabis patients and incorporates social justice initiatives to support those with cannabis-related convictions. GMCS partners with organizations like the Georgia Justice Project, Last Prisoner Project, and NORML to connect individuals with resources for expungement and reentry. Additionally, GMCS has partnered with Fine Fettle dispensary to offer a discount code, GMCS15, giving patients 15% off their medications and with Veriheal offering a discount code GMCS55, giving patients $55 off the medical card evaluation.

Advocacy in Action: The Pressure Squad (led by Kristina Flores): Advocacy is a cornerstone of GMCS, and the Pressure Squad empowers patients and supporters to engage with policymakers and drive legislative change. Through the Pressure Play Workshop, participants learn how to navigate Georgia’s legislative system, advocate for equitable cannabis laws, and make their voices heard.

Valor in Action Program (led by Stanley Atkins II): This program once fully activated, will provide quarterly outings for veterans, offering a supportive and fun environment where veterans can connect with one another. From fishing trips to hiking adventures, these outings foster camaraderie and provide much-needed emotional support.

Education in Action Program (led by Angela Weston): Education is at the core of GMCS’s mission. This program includes the GMCS Masterclass, which features expert insights from Dr. Hemant Bid and special guests. The masterclass provides in-depth education on the medical benefits of cannabis, empowering patients and advocates to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful advocacy.

Media and Storytelling: Through its partnership with the CannaShame Network (CSN), GMCS shares real-life stories of patients and advocates to humanize the cannabis reform movement and combat stigma. These narratives inspire action and foster greater understanding of the importance of equitable access to medical cannabis.

A Story of Impact: Nathan Johnson
Nathan Johnson, a veteran, exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of the community GMCS serves. After struggling with PTSD and chronic pain, Nathan found relief through medical cannabis with GMCS’s guidance.

However, Nathan’s journey didn’t end there. He is currently fighting outdated legal charges related to cannabis and awaiting a new trial. GMCS has been a vocal advocate for Nathan. We have closely followed his case, sharing his story across our network to raise awareness about the legal and systemic challenges veterans and patients face. His resilience serves as an inspiration to others, underscores the importance of our advocacy work, and is a powerful reminder of why GMCS’s work is so critical.

What Sets GMCS Apart?
GMCS stands out for its holistic, patient-centered approach. By integrating social justice initiatives into the Compassionate Care Program and addressing the financial, legal, and educational needs of its community, GMCS provides comprehensive support. The leadership of its core team—Bennett, Weston, Flores, and Atkins—ensures that every initiative aligns with GMCS’s mission to put patients over profits.

Through its Partners in Compassion, including Fine Fettle, the Bookstore Gallery, and Dr. Bid, GMCS has built a strong network that amplifies its impact. Programs like the Pressure Play Workshop and Valor in Action not only educate but also create spaces for community and healing.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion
GMCS is more than an organization—it’s a movement for equity, access, and justice. By prioritizing advocacy, education, and compassionate care, GMCS is building a future where medical cannabis is accessible and affordable for all.

For those seeking a trusted advocate in the medical cannabis space, the Georgia Medical Cannabis Society stands as a beacon of hope, empowerment, and transformation.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the Georgia Medical Cannabis Society (GMCS) was founded in 2019, one of our primary goals was to provide medical cannabis to patients who couldn’t afford it. However, we quickly realized that due to federal and state restrictions, this wasn’t legally feasible. It was a pivotal moment for our organization—we had to rethink our approach while staying true to our mission of supporting underserved communities.

The Pivot
Rather than abandon our mission, we chose to expand and innovate. We shifted our focus to empowering patients through advocacy, education, and financial support via discounts from our partners and affiliates while simultaneously working to address systemic barriers. This shift allowed us to broaden our impact, not just locally but also on a federal level, by engaging with national organizations and advocating for legislative reform.

Initiatives Born from the Pivot
Compassionate Care Program: To ease the financial burden of medical cannabis, we partnered with Fine Fettle dispensary to offer a discount code, GMCS15, providing patients 15% off their medications and with Veriheal to provide $55 off the medical evaluation. We also integrated social justice initiatives into this program, connecting individuals with organizations like the Georgia Justice Project, Last Prisoner Project, and NORML for expungement and reentry resources.

Advocacy in Action: The Pressure Squad: Recognizing the power of advocacy, we launched the Pressure Squad, led by Kristina Flores. This program empowers patients and supporters to engage with policymakers and advocate for cannabis reform. The Pressure Play Workshop serves as a hands-on training ground, teaching participants how to navigate the legislative process and fight for equitable cannabis laws.

Valor in Action Program: Understanding the unique challenges faced by veterans, we introduced Valor in Action, led by Board Member Stanley Atkins II. This program provides quarterly outings for veterans, fostering camaraderie and emotional support through shared experiences in a fun and relaxing environment.

Education in Action Program: Education became a cornerstone of our mission. Led by Angela Weston, this program includes the GMCS Masterclass, featuring experts like Dr. Hemant Bid, to provide in-depth knowledge about the medical benefits of cannabis. This program equips patients and advocates with the tools to make informed decisions and drive change.

Media and Storytelling: We partnered with the CannaShame Network (CSN) to amplify patient voices and combat stigma. Through CSN, we’ve shared powerful stories, such as the journey of Nathan Johnson, a veteran who found relief through medical cannabis but continues to face legal challenges. These stories humanize the fight for cannabis reform and inspire others to join the movement.

Expanding Our Mission
This pivot not only allowed us to overcome immediate challenges but also enabled us to expand our mission and reach. GMCS has since grown into a dual force, advocating for cannabis reform both locally and federally. We’ve engaged with national organizations and policymakers, amplifying the voices of our community and pushing for broader systemic change.

The Results
Our pivot has strengthened GMCS and expanded our impact. By focusing on advocacy, education, and compassionate care, we’ve created a comprehensive support system for patients. We’ve also built a community of advocates who are equipped to fight for reform at every level of government.

Why It Matters
This experience taught us that challenges can become opportunities. By embracing change and broadening our vision, we were able to grow into a stronger, more impactful organization. GMCS now stands as a leader in cannabis advocacy, working to ensure that no patient is left behind—whether at the local or federal level.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The Georgia Medical Cannabis Society (GMCS) was founded on determination, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy and education. From the very beginning, securing funding to support our mission has been a challenge, but our dedication to serving underserved communities has never faltered.

Initial Funding
The primary funding for GMCS has come from our co-founders, Yolanda Bennett and Angela Weston, who have personally stepped in to cover operational costs and sustain our programs when donations and sponsorships were insufficient. Their financial contributions have been instrumental in ensuring that GMCS could continue providing vital services, such as patient advocacy, education, and social justice initiatives.

Ongoing Challenges
Funding remains a significant challenge, especially as a nonprofit advocating for medical cannabis. The stigma associated with cannabis and its legal complexities make accessing traditional funding sources difficult. We’ve relied heavily on personal contributions, one-time donations, and limited sponsorships to keep our programs running.

Expanding Our Funding Model
To ensure sustainability and growth, we’re excited to announce that GMCS is now opening memberships to the public. These memberships will allow individuals and organizations who align with our mission to formally join our community. Membership fees will help support our programs, advocacy initiatives, and day-to-day operations while fostering a network of advocates who share our vision of equitable access to medical cannabis.

How You Can Help
We invite anyone who believes in our mission to support GMCS in the following ways:

Make a Donation: Every dollar helps us provide advocacy, education, and compassionate care to those who need it most. Donations can be made securely through our website at www.georgiamcs.org/donate.
Become a Member: Join our community as a GMCS member to support our initiatives and connect with other advocates. Membership information is available on our website.
Sponsor Our Programs: Businesses and individuals can sponsor specific initiatives, such as the Compassionate Care Program or the Pressure Play Workshop. For sponsorship opportunities, please email us at [email protected].
Gratitude and Persistence
Although securing consistent funding has been difficult, we are profoundly grateful for the support of our donors, sponsors, and core team. Their generosity has allowed us to make a tangible difference in the lives of patients, veterans, and others who depend on GMCS for guidance and support.

We remain steadfast in our mission, continually seeking innovative ways to secure funding, expand our programs, and advocate for the communities we serve. With your help, we can continue to create lasting change and ensure that all patients have access to the care and resources they need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://georgiamcs.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GMed_Cannabis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMCS710
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmedcannabis/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Gmed_Cannabis
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gmedcannabis

Image Credits

Photo credits
Minorities Cannabis Business Association
Georgia Medical Cannabis Society
Cannashame Network
Melessa Mims Photography