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Last month, Berkeley Patients Group launched our $1 Million For Good initiative, supporting 10 nonprofits working to uplift our local community. Each month, BPG will drive funds and awareness to one of our nonprofit partners. In honor of November’s National Homelessness Awareness Month, we are raising funds, support, and supplies for Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS).

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Berkeley Patients Group Awarded Proclamations and Resolutions from Prominent Politicians at 20^th Anniversary Event Oct 1

 Berkeley, Calif.– (October 3, 2019)–The morning of October 1, 2019, Berkeley Patients Group (BPG), the longest operating dispensary in the nation, hosted a private event to celebrate its 20^th anniversary and $1 Million for Good campaign, to donate $1,000,000 to 10 nonprofits over 10 years.

Local nonprofits, community leaders, prominent politicians and cannabis brand partners came together to recognize BPG’s significant role in the Berkeley community and the cannabis industry over two decades.

The event’s highlights included:

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As various news outlets have reported, a growing number of reports surrounding an unidentified vaping related illness has created a serious public health concern with more questions than answers.

Berkeley Patients Group (BPG) has been dedicated to providing safe, clean, quality-controlled cannabis for 20 years. We have always prioritized responsible sourcing and have established long-term partnerships with providers that exceed mandated quality standards. It is why we pioneered the development of cannabis testing standards over ten years ago.

To date, we are not aware of any respiratory-related illness caused by a product sold at BPG or any other licensed California dispensary. While there are many unknowns at this time, BPG is using every resource at our disposal to promote consumer safety and to provide timely information.

ACTIONS WE ARE TAKING:

· Contacting every vape cartridge vendor to verify problematic, questionable additives or parts are not in any products we sell

· Staying up-to-date with the latest information and research on this issue. BPG will issue periodic updates as information is released from authorities

· Sourcing products tested according to state guidelines

· Verifying testing certificates as genuine and battery devices are not inhalation-activated

WHAT WE KNOW:

· An increasing number of vaping-related illnesses, approximately 800 cases, including thirteen deaths have been reported across 33 states to date, including California.

· All of the California-related illnesses were caused by products purchased in the unlicensed market.

· No single device, ingredient or additive has been identified as the sole cause of this mysterious epidemic.

· Many of the associated products contain THC, some contain nicotine, and some include both.

· Symptoms: Patients are coming into hospitals with cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and vomiting.

· Colorado Green Lab recently conducted a vape pen study and posted key findings associated with inhalation-activated vape battery devices

EMERGING INFORMATION:

· Doctors suspect the cause may be chemical exposure related to additives or ingredients, such as Vitamin E acetate.

Our hearts go out to the victims and the loved ones of those who are currently suffering or have succumbed to this devastating illness.

This crisis further shows the immediate need for federal reform that will enable proper research, regulations, and guaranteed product safety and efficacy for patients. Eliminating illicit operators and the entities providing a public platform to them should be the number one priority for the State of California and the nation.

We are encouraging any BPG customers who experience any problems or have additional questions regarding vape products sold by BPG, to email us at info@mybpg.com.

Further information is available from NORML online here, here, and here. California NORML’s fact-sheet, “Cannabis Vaping: What’s Safe and What’s Not,” is online here. An advisory by Leafly.com, entitled “Vape Pen Lung Disease: Here’s What You Need to Know,” is online here. An advisory from the City of Berkeley is online here.

 Your Buds at BPG

With a 76% increase in new openings in 2019, cannabis has one of the fastest-growing rates of job creation in any industry. Indeed and ZipRecruiter list as many as 200,000 to 300,000 new jobs in the cannabis market nationwide.

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As we take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we also look towards the future for our fellow Americans who served and returned home.

Owner and Vice President of Berkeley Patients Group, Etienne Fontan, spent time in DC this week advocating for the fair and equal treatment of all cannabis patients, consumers, and businesses with the National Cannabis Industry Association. Read more »