Ukrainian immigrants looking for a better future are turning to opportunities in medical cannabis in multiple states.

The Herald-Dispatch reports that a pair of Ukrainian immigrants are owners of a new dispensary opening up in Huntington, West Virginia. While one of the operators emigrated to the U.S. decades ago, they are proudly supporting their home country as it battles Russian forces.

Over 271,000 Ukrainian refugees have been admitted to the U.S. since Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago, according to the Department of Homeland Security, as of Last February. 117,000 of those came via the Biden administration’s “Uniting for Ukraine” program, which allows Americans to sponsor Ukrainians.

Huntington Gardens co-owner Frederick Bartolovic, professor from Marshall University’s Art Department, and his partner Michelle Strader painted a Ukraine-inspired mural on the building with yellow and blue to show support for the homeland. Co-owner Rita Tsalyuk, a cannabis entrepreneur and native of Ukraine, left her country over 30 years ago, but is promoting awareness for the injustices of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Some immigrants are working their way into the cannabis industry in multiple states, including West Virginia. Kayla McClaskey told the paper that she is opening a new dispensary in Huntington for the Colorado-based multistate operator Yuma Way.

“Huntington Gardens at 1338 3rd Avenue should be open by mid-October,” McClaskey told The Herald-Dispatch. “We still haven’t made a decision on our hours of operation, but will finalize all of that [once] our inspections are complete and we are closer to opening.”

​​​​​​Senate Bill 386, signed into law on April 19, 2017, by Gov. Jim Justice, created the Medical Cannabis Act that allows for cannabis to be used for certified medical use. Huntington is the second-largest city in West Virginia, and dispensaries are just beginning to open in the city.

“I am sure that the blue and yellow in the middle of Herd Country must be odd to see for some, especially this time of the year with football season,” McClaskey said. “Rest assured though, it is not some bold representation of the Mountaineers of WVU, in fact the owners of the new dispensary are actually Ukrainian immigrants who have lived and built many successful businesses across Colorado, California, Michigan, New Jersey, and now here in West Virginia.”

Members of the Worldwide Cannabis Community Stand with Ukraine

High Times reported in April 2022 about the small but growing cannabis community in Ukraine that’s standing strong with their country as the nation resists the Russian invasion.

One group, Freedom March, has been advocating for progressive drug policy, leading demonstrations for the legalization of cannabis in Ukraine and defending the rights of medicinal cannabis patients since 2005. Freedom March member Nazarii Sovsun says the majority of the group’s activists are involved in the resistance to the Russian invasion in some fashion.

Freedom March has launched a fundraising campaign, Cannabis Stands with Ukraine, that is seeking donations from the worldwide cannabis community and freedom lovers everywhere. Donations to Freedom March will support the cause in conjunction with the Kyiv School of Economics Charitable Foundation, which has already purchased nearly $300,000 worth of emergency medical supplies for delivery to the region, according to wire transfer documentation and invoices provided by Sovsun.

Reform is taking place on Ukrainian soil as well. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last June called on lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis, saying the treatment could provide relief to those in the country suffering from the “trauma of war.” 

Huntington’s First Dispensary

Berner, as it turns out, was the first entrepreneur to open up a dispensary in the city, as part of his large dispensary chain Cookies, according to a Sept. 22 press release. Cookies opened their first West Virginia cannabis dispensary on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2689 5th Ave. in Huntington.

Cookies is partnering with local retailer Country Grown Cannabis to open the Cookies dispensary at 2689 5th Ave in Huntington on Saturday, Sept. 23. Cookies is also collaborating with West Virginia professional growers Harvest Care Medical to cultivate Cookies’ acclaimed cannabis cultivars.

“We have been working hard to ensure the highest quality product is ready for the market, and we are excited to offer Cookies products to the growing number of West Virginia patients in need of medical cannabis,” Berner said in a press release. “We can’t wait for West Virginia patients to enjoy our world-class staple menu, and experience a cannabis dispensary like no other—an experience that Cookies is proud to bring to West Virginia.”

The opening of Huntington Gardens and the latest Cookies location provide choices for residents of the city who are taking advantage of West Virginia’s fairly recent medical cannabis law.

The post Ukrainian Immigrants Open Dispensary in West Virginia appeared first on High Times.

The post Ukrainian Immigrants Open Dispensary in West Virginia appeared first on Paradise Found.

A hemp farm in the United Kingdom is being honored as a sanctuary for refugees for its program to help immigrants seeking a better life. Hempen, a co-operative community focused on the benefits of hemp, was recognized as a Garden of Sanctuary by City of Sanctuary, a group working to create welcoming spaces for refugees in UK towns and cities.

Hempen’s community outreach project Growing Solidarity hosts weekly events on Tuesdays that give refugees the opportunity to be in nature and meet new friends. Participants are also taught to grow their own food, which they can do either on the farm or in their own gardens at home. 

Each Wednesday, volunteers deliver food grown on the farm to food banks operated by the Reading Refugee Support Group. Sophie Gale, co-ordinator of Growing Solidarity, said that the project was created to help refugees gain self-reliance in their new home.

“We want to develop sustainable food chains for people, going from the food bank model where they are given food to a more participatory relationship, growing something and being part of it,” Gale told the Henley Standard. “We focus on building resilience in different members of the community with nature being our foundation. People can grow things, spend time appreciating the natural world and spend time chatting and working out things about life. It’s very special.”

Lorraine Briffitt, the chair of City of Sanctuary in Reading, gave the award during a recent visit to Hempen, which is located in Goring Heath in the district of South Oxfordshire. 

“We are delighted to work with Hempen. It’s amazing to see the energy they’ve poured into becoming recognized as a garden of sanctuary,” Briffitt said. “This comes at a time when solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers is needed more than ever before. It’s inspiring to see community organizations playing their part by stepping up.”

Hempen is run as a workers co-operative producing a variety of hemp and CBD products and was the UK’s first certified organic hemp farm. Although the farm is not currently licensed to grow hemp, it works with organic hemp farmers to grow and develop their crop, which is manufactured into culinary, cosmetic and wellness products. 

“I helped found it in 2015 as a not-for-profit workers’ co-operative offering hemp solutions. Hemp products are amazing for health and amazing for the planet,” said Hempen co-founder Patrick Gillett. “The community aspect of Hempen is really important to us.”

“It gets people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get here to come down, grow veg and be part of our community,” Gillett added.

Number of Refugees Entering UK Skyrockets

The UK has seen a spike of refugees entering the country over the past two years as people flee unrest and poverty in eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond. In 2019, less than 2,000 refugees made the often risky voyage to travel to the UK, according to a report published by the New Yorker in December. Only a year later, the number had risen to 8,417. And in the first 11 months of 2021, more than 25,000 made the trek to eke out a better living in Britain. When they finally arrive, many refugees are faced with uncertain circumstances as they begin to adapt to their new home.

“Many are traumatized and exhausted from having nowhere to go and feel belonging when they make it to the UK,” said Gale. “The project aims to offer such a space and we know that the individuals and families that we work with get a lot out of visiting the farm and spending time engaging with meaningful activities, relaxing and socializing.”

Mary, one of the refugees participating in the Growing Solidarity program, said that she was excited when she went to the farm and began making friends, including volunteers who offer rides to those who need them.

“I learned many things about agriculture that I didn’t know before. I was so happy. The staff are wonderful and kind to everyone,” said Mary. “They take us in the car to the farm and drive us back home, which means we are able to take part without spending the little that we have on transport. They also are kind and respectful and play with the kids when they come with me to the farm. We are also able to take whatever vegetables we want home with us.”

Eric, another refugee, agreed, saying, “It’s good to be in a community and learn things.”

“I’ve learnt how to make things and how to build,” he added. “It also helps to perfect the language by talking to more people.”

Growing Solidarity’s coordinator said that Hempen’s recognition as a Garden of Sanctuary “is a way to communicate with a bigger audience the importance of working with people from different backgrounds and supporting people who through no fault of their own have had to leave their homes.”

“There are complicated messages in the media about people seeking sanctuary,” added Gale. “It’s important to show our care and solidarity, and it’s quite positive, building resilience and community.”

The post UK Hemp Co-Op Honored As Refugee Sanctuary appeared first on High Times.

The post UK Hemp Co-Op Honored As Refugee Sanctuary appeared first on Paradise Found.