One of Sparks’ premier marijuana dispensaries, Greenleaf Wellness, has launched a community initiative to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the entire month of October, Greenleaf will be donating $2 per every product sale to Pinocchio’s Moms On The Run.
The family-owned dispensary opened mid-May at 1730 Glendale Avenue in Sparks after seeing firsthand the relief that cannabis brought to a family member. Formerly owning a garbage business, the Duques also have a long history of giving back to the community in which it resides.
“Cancer runs pretty rampant in my family,” says Greenleaf Vice President Steve Duque. “My sister (Tammy Kolvet) and I are 4th generations Sparks residents and an important thing for us is giving back to the community,” he adds.
Having been friends for years with fellow Northern Nevada residents, restaurant owners, and founders of Moms On The Run JP and Barb Pinocchio, Duque started brainstorming with the couple on what they can do to offer their support for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We’ve been in the valley a long time…my dad (Spike Duque) loves motorcycles and we know that JP does the Ride for the Tatas. We talked about doing a billboard, then came up with making a donation based on every Greenleaf transaction,” says Duque.
Setting a goal to raise $20,000 for Moms On The Run, the donation is meant to help women fighting all gynecological cancers and is not just limited to breast cancer. The Duque family chose Moms On The Run due to their personal relationship and fully supports a cause created to help provide financial aid to families enduring hardships caused by cancer with a primary focus on assisting with everyday expenses to those living with breast and/or gynecological cancers.
As of October 9, Greenleaf has already raised $4,744 from cannabis sales and is on pace to raise close to the $20,000 by the end of the month. “But if we did twice that amount then we’d be happy to donate more,” he says.
From a product perspective, it’s quasi-proven that cannabis helps with treating cancer and many doctors believe that cannabis can push cancer into remission. However, due to marijuana’s federal classification, not many doctors will go on record (or risk losing federal funding) to support it.
“We are all about giving back to our local community. Whether we’re selling lemonade or cannabis, if our donation can provide comfort and support for a woman doing this then it’s all worth it,” says Duque.
“If you’re in the market to purchase (cannabis products) this month, then keep in mind that every transaction at Greenleaf goes right back into the community,” he adds.
For more information about Moms On The Run and its upcoming events, visit www.momsontherun.info. For more information about Greenleaf Wellness and its products, visit greenleafwellness.com.