The Challenges of California’s Compassionate Cannabis

Using Cannabis to Support Her Father’s Cancer, Parkinson’s, and Diabetes

Cannabis didn’t seem like a viable route to beating cancer for Sally, but for her dad, on the other hand, that was a different story. Much to her surprise, Sally’s former Marine and High School Principal dad was receptive to trying cannabis. He began using cannabis shortly after having the mass surgically removed from his bladder.

Sally’s brother was especially shocked and astonished.

“He said to me,” What the hell are you doing? What are you giving dad? Are you out of your mind?’ I mean, my dad used to bust kids for pot. But my brother went from negative to positive when he noticed our dad’s Parkinson hand tremor disappeared after just two weeks on cannabis – was the first thing that happened when we knew it was doing something. No shake at all. And his cancer is completely gone. His diabetes was in the early stages and his A1C had been elevated for a number over 7 years.”

“Now,” she remarks with pride, “He has A1C normal levels for the first time in seven or eight years. He’s off of all the other prescription medicines. His vitals are good. I took him off everything the doctors were giving him. I’m sure the doctors don’t like that. Too bad. He’s doing better than he was before and that’s the truth.”

The Jetty Shelter Project doesn’t endorse any specific medicinal benefits of cannabis or ignoring the treatment advice of medical professionals. We simply want to continue providing free cannabis for those who want to make it part of their care.

Regarding compassionate care and advocacy, Sally doesn’t mince words. “I’ll go up North (to Sacramento) and testify. I’ll bring my dad and wheel him in as proof. Here’s the thing I would say to the state. The plant should be researched and funded by the state for its benefits to people. We don’t want to leave the research to the Pharma companies.”

When Compassionate Cannabis Programs Disappear: Cost, Safety, and Stress

Sally’s scans show the tumor hadn’t increased in size and her headaches are less severe. Daily use of CBD helps Sally stay sharp and focused and she’s treating the more severe symptoms with higher THC strains. After cannabis was legalized for recreational use in 2018, things changed drastically for people like Sally and her dad as compassion programs shut down.

“We had to ration ourselves. We noticed a difference. My dad’s hand tremor returned. I worry that if he doesn’t take his doses the bladder cancer might return.

I was able to get a little plant material from a guy and made my own oil but I worry if it was grown safely, if it is potent enough, made right, etc. But better than nothing when we don’t have the Jetty. It is stressful. And it isn’t just the cost but also not knowing where it came from. I trust the Shelter.”

Supporting Compassionate Cannabis Programs in California: SB 34 and the Cannabis for Good Tour

Back when compassionate cannabis programs in California were being squeezed by new regulations, Jetty, Pax and the Shelter Project joined a broader coalition of patients, advocates and brands for the Cannabis for Good Tour.

The campaign used patient stories, educational events and petition drives across the state to show how taxes and red tape were cutting low-income patients off from donated, lab-tested cannabis.

Those efforts helped build momentum for Senate Bill 34, the Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Compassionate Care Act, which ultimately created a legal pathway for licensed operators to donate compliant medical cannabis to eligible patients without the same tax burden that had previously shut compassion programs down. 

Today, the specific rules and requirements around compassionate donations in California continue to evolve, but that chapter of advocacy work remains a key part of why many patients once again have access to safe, legally donated cannabis when they need it most.

Why Compassionate Cannabis Still Matters

Stories like Sally’s and her father’s are reminders that compassionate cannabis isn’t an abstract policy debate; it’s about real people trying to manage pain, side effects, fear, and quality of life in ways that feel sustainable to them.

When access to safe, lab-tested products suddenly disappears or becomes harder to navigate, the impact shows up in very real ways: more stress, more symptoms, and fewer options at the moments people need choices the most.

As of 2025, the Jetty Shelter Project has donated $1.2 million in product and helped more than 1,320 cancer patients in need. Behind each number is someone trying to get through another round of treatment, another scan, or another night of symptoms with a little more comfort and a little less fear.

While the rules and regulations around donated cannabis will keep evolving, the need for compassion will not. Patients and caregivers can stay informed about what’s available in their state, talk openly with their medical teams, and ask local dispensaries whether they participate in any compassion or donation programs. For brands like Jetty, the goal is simple: to keep showing up for patients who choose to make cannabis part of their care.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, advocate, or simply someone who cares, listening to these stories and sharing them forward helps keep compassionate cannabis on the radar.

The more we make space for conversations like Sally’s, the harder it is for policymakers and industry leaders to ignore the people whose lives are directly shaped by their decisions.

 Learn more at The Shelter Project.