Eden Medicinal Society recently opened its doors in Salmon Arm. It is a federally registered not-for-profit that opened its first dispensary in Vancouver in 2011.
“I came here to open this dispensary - I’ve been a chef for the last 15 years,” says location manager Clayton Beadle. “When this opportunity came up I decided to jump onboard.”
As a dispensary, they don’t just sell to anyone (over 19) who walks in the door, they need a confirmation of diagnosis, which can be done in one of three ways: a medical prescription, an MMAR (medical marijuana access regulation) paper, or through the doctor Eden has available through Skype from 2 pm - 6 pm, seven days a week.
People use their products for any number of reasons says Clayton.
“We’ve seen people in the door already for Multiple Sclerosis, anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, high blood pressure, and the side effects of chemo.”
Their products include edibles, topical pain creams, liquid tinctures, ingestible capsules, to the ‘traditional bud’ (“We call it flower” says Clayton), and bath salts.
In the new year they will start up their opiate substitution program.
“We’re opening this for the benefit of the community. I’m not sure how bad the opiate crisis is here in the community, but if someone is looking for an alternative to opiates we offer it, on a compassionate basis, complimentary. There is information on our website, or coming in and talking to me would be best.”
Eden is located at 30 Lakeshore Dr NW, across from Lordco. They are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. To contact them you can also visit myeden.ca or phone 1-778-489-3399. To find out more about the opiate substitution program email opiatestudy@myeden.ca
SASCU Hides $50s
Use a SASCU ATM this December and support your local food banks. Your SASCU ATM withdrawal could include a $50 bill instead of a $20. Fifty dollar bills are hidden in each ATM to thank the community for supporting the campaign and local food banks.
Ten cents from every transaction on all SASCU ATMs during December is donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Salmon Arm, the Eagle Valley Community Food Bank in Sicamous, and the Sorrento Food Bank.
“Last year we raised over $2,700 for our local food banks through the December ATM Food Bank Fundraiser and donated $8,000 from our Community Sponsorship program,” says Barry Delaney, CEO of SASCU Financial Group.
But their holiday spirit goes beyond the food banks. All branches are drop-off locations for the local Resource Centre Christmas Gift Tree campaigns.
Watch for the Elf
The SASCU Christmas elf will be strolling around the downtown throughout December spreading cheer, including $5 downtown dollars.
Dinner & Movie
On Wednesdays, December 13 & 20, it’s dinner & movie night. Most restaurants in Salmon Arm are taking part in this promotion. If you have dinner, you’ll receive a free movie pass. These passes valid for a couple of weeks.
Solstice shopping
December 21 is the shortest day of the year but not when it comes to shopping.
There are lots of free fun family activities in the downtown core from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and many of the stores are open until 8 p.m.
New office space
Focus Ability WorkAble Solutions has a new office located at suite 102-371 Hudson Avenue NE, across from the post office. They will be sharing office space with ROMSS. Focus Ability Workable Solutions helps to provide ‘access to the talent pool of individuals with diverse cognitive abilities.’ Their team consists of CEO Pearl Hiemstra, Dan Hiemstra, and Katherine Paxton.