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About the Jetty Extracts Shelter Project – October 2026 Update
The Shelter Project exists to make compassionate cannabis accessible to patients who need it most. Founded by Jetty Extracts in 2014, the program began as a compassionate-care initiative providing free medical cannabis to cancer patients facing serious illness and financial hardship.
As of 2026, the Shelter Project operates in California, Colorado, and New York and has donated more than $1.2 million in cannabis products to over 1,320 cancer patients in need. Every product is held to the same standards of purity and safety as Jetty’s retail lineup, so patients receive clean, lab-tested cannabis without added financial strain.
At its core, the Shelter Project is about dignity for medical cannabis patients—ensuring that people navigating cancer can access safe, regulated medicine without having to choose between relief and basic living expenses.
A Family’s Story of Strength, Dignity, and Compassion
When Proposition 64 Changed Everything
When California passed Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, it was celebrated as a major step forward for legalization. But for many medical cannabis patients, the transition from a primarily medical system to a broader adult-use model introduced new barriers.
Amanda Gaeta saw those changes up close while her mother, Rachel, was undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer. She recalls that Prop 64 “took away from the medical patients” and that decision-makers did not fully consider how new tax structures and rules would impact people who rely on cannabis as part of their treatment plan.
When taxes began applying even to donated cannabis, long-standing compassion programs that had been providing free products to chronic and terminally ill patients suddenly faced an uncertain future. The Shelter Project was one of the programs forced to navigate this new reality.
Finding Compassionate Care Through the Shelter Project
Rachel joined the Shelter Project in 2016 after Amanda met Jetty’s Luna Stower at a patient event in Oakland.
“I saw a flyer about the Shelter Project and got a little info, but when I met Luna, she got us set up right away. I sent over my mom’s information, and they sent a care package super fast—within a week. It was a big deal every time one arrived.”
Amanda says those deliveries brought comfort and dignity during her mother’s treatment. “My mom was the kind of person who gave the coat off her back to help others. She never liked to accept help herself, but the Shelter Project made it easier to focus on her care instead of worrying about money.”
Living with Cancer While Protecting Dignity
Rachel was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in early 2016. After surgery and chemotherapy, her medical team supported adding cannabis to help manage symptoms. “They actually encouraged it,” Amanda explains. “CBD made a difference. She used her regular medications but didn’t need as much. It made her feel better.”
For families like the Gaetas, medical cannabis is not a luxury. Programs such as the Shelter Project help patients maintain dignity by easing the ongoing costs of treatment-related relief—especially when cancer and its side effects can stretch finances thin. Consistent access to safe, tested cannabis means patients are less likely to turn to unregulated sources or go without support entirely.
Policy, Progress, and Hope for Compassionate Cannabis
When Prop 64’s taxes made compassionate donations nearly impossible, advocates pushed for reform. State Senator Scott Weiner introduced CA SB34, the Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Compassionate Care Act, restoring the ability for licensed producers to donate medical cannabis to patients without taxation.
Public support helped turn the tide, allowing programs like the Shelter Project to resume serving patients with free cannabis products.
Amanda believes awareness is key. “Jetty and the Shelter Project were a blessing. Taking away programs like that hurts families. It’s not just about the sick person, it helps the rest of us too because we just want them to be comfortable.”
Continuing a Legacy of Dignity for Medical Cannabis Patients
Today, Jetty Extracts continues to expand the Shelter Project with the same mission it started with: put clean, safe cannabis within reach of the patients who need it most. The program’s growth into New York and Colorado extends the same dignity, care, and compassion that began in California.
Compassion is not separate from Jetty’s craft—it is part of it. Every batch, every donated product, and every enrollment in the Shelter Project reflects a belief that dignity for medical cannabis patients matters as much as potency and purity.
To learn more about how the Shelter Project supports cannabis for cancer patients and other qualifying individuals, visit the Jetty Extracts Shelter Project Page.
If you have questions about eligibility, your application, or enrollment status, reach out to shelteroutreach@jettyextracts.com.
Related Shelter Project Stories
Explore more first-hand accounts and program insights:
FAQs for Cancer Patients Considering Medical Cannabis
How can cannabis support people living with cancer?
Many patients use cannabis to help relieve pain, nausea, and loss of appetite from chemotherapy. Every experience is unique, and patients should always consult their healthcare provider.
Is the Shelter Project only for California residents?
No. As of 2025, the program operates in California, Colorado, and New York through licensed dispensary partners.
How much product do patients receive?
Eligible patients may receive up to 4 grams of cannabis concentrates per month.
When can patients apply to The Shelter Project?
Open enrollment runs from May 1 – June 30 and November 1 – December 31 each year. Applications are reviewed in June and December. Application
What do patients need in order to apply for free cannabis for cancer
Applicants need an active cancer diagnosis, valid state ID, a medical marijuana card (MMICP in CA), and income verification.
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