cannabisnews.com: Nature’s Medicinal Donates To Toys For Tots Nature’s Medicinal Donates To Toys For Tots Posted by CN Staff on December 27, 2006 at 11:28:01 PT By Jason Friedly, Contributing Writer Source: Bakersfield Californian California -- The holiday spirit was in full force throughout the month of December at Nature’s Medicinal in Bakersfield. The medical marijuana dispensary, at 323 Roberts Lane, donated more than 500 toys to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys For Tots program. The donations were given by patients of the dispensary.“Our patients took the time to go out and purchase these toys,” said Nature’s Medicinal employee Gilbert Banuelos. “Not only did they show their generosity, but they displayed unselfishness, setting aside their physical maladies in order to provide for the needy children. That’s what it’s all about. Seriously, some of these people also have transportation issues yet they still came through for the children.”Patients were offered a discount on their medicine in exchange for a new and unwrapped toy. These items were in turn donated to the cause.“It feels good to help the children,” said medical marijuana patient Jessica Franco. “It shows a sense of responsibility to our community, and right now children are the focus.”Nature’s Medicinal has also donated to the Bakersfield Homeless shelter this year and has plans to include more charitable organizations in the future.“Each year we plan on allowing our donations to grow,” said Banuelos. “Not only in the amount, but in the organizations as well. Our patients and employees are kind and generous people who want to give back to the community. That’s all, that’s it.”Strangely enough Nature’s Medicinal has encountered some organizations who would either not accept donations or only receive them on the basis of the dispensary’s anonymity.“We offered some organizations assistance as well,” said Banuelos. “ A few turned down our offers and others accepted them, but seemed a little bit apprehensive on taking them. People have a certain image etched in their minds about medical cannabis, and hopefully in the long run this stigma will change.” The toy drive however will remain a yearly tradition.“We were very pleased that the Marines allowed us to participate, and even though they are changing their program coordinator next year, we hope they will allow us to help as well,” said Banuelos. “They were very open-minded when we contacted them about our intentions and I feel we all came out winners. Especially the children who get to have a Christmas. It’s a win-win situation.”Jason Friedly is a journalism student at Cal State Bakersfield. He is a lifelong resident of Bakersfield.Source: Bakersfield Californian, The (CA)Author: Jason Friedly, Contributing WriterPublished: December 27, 2006Copyright: 2006 The Bakersfield CalifornianContact: opinion bakersfield.comWebsite: http://www.bakersfield.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by Wayne on December 27, 2006 at 20:18:35 PT 500 toys "The medical marijuana dispensary, at 323 Roberts Lane, donated more than 500 toys to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys For Tots program. The donations were given by patients of the dispensary."My hat's off to the patients in Bakersfield. They've shown a lot of heart here. Giving to the needy is a two-fold benefit: not only does someone in need receive a gift for Christmas out of the goodness of someone else's heart, they experience for themselves the true meaning of Christmas and maybe someday can pass that love on to someone else.I wonder if the Bakersfield PD or the local DEA office were able to match that total...or if they donated any at all. Of course not. All they know how to do is take, steal, imprison, and destroy.That would be a hoot, wouldn't it? To see a DEA office donate toys to needy children? Or to see them donate ANYTHING for that matter. They've been sucking up resources for 35 years, and have yet to produce or 'give' anything back in return. Merry f***ing Christmas. I wonder if Johnny Pee got all that money he was asking for this holiday season? I say stone him to death with lumps of coal, hahaha... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 27, 2006 at 14:40:40 PT Thank You So often money gets in the way of good deeds. This article was pleasant to read. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment