Whitewood medical marijuana dispensary giving back to community

In less than a year, a medical marijuana dispensary in Whitewood has donated $90,000 to the community.

“Well that’s what a compassionate club was originally designed to do,” owner Jerry Martin told News Talk Radio’s MainStreet, “to help the community with the profits from that business, not to keep the profits themselves.”

At the rate it’s going, Martin anticipates he’ll be able to donate $1 million to Whitewood over the next decade.

While a police raid on a medical marijuana dispensary in Saskatoon has put compassion clubs in the spotlight, Martin maintains that his experience in Whitewood has been mostly positive.

“Until as of late when the pastor said it may ruin the spirituality of the community.”

Martin’s donations have gone towards the community’s fire hall, libraries and swimming pool, among other things. He said although businesses and organizations take his donations, some won’t admit where the donation came from.