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even doggie daycare for members who have doctor appointments or work commitments. Among the broader services the study found in dispensaries are support groups, including groups for women, veterans, and men; cre- ativityand art groups, including groups for writers, quitters, crochet, and crafts; and entertainment options, including bingo, open mike nights, poetry readings, Internet access, libraries, and puzzles. Clothing drives and neighborhood parties are among the activi- ties that patients can also participate in through their dispensary. Social services such as counseling and support groups were reported to be the most com- monly and regularly used service, with two- thirds of patients reporting that they use social services at dispensaries 1-2 times per week. Also, life services, such as free food and housing help, were used at least once or twice a week by 22% of those surveyed. "Local government has a responsibility to the medical needs of its people, even when it's not a politically easy choice to make. We have found it possible to build regulations that address the concerns of neighbors, local businesses law enforcement and the general public, while not compromising the needs of the patients themselves. We've found that by working with all interested parities in advance of adopting an ordinance while keeping the patients' needs foremost, problems that may seem inevitable never arise." -Nancy Nadel, Oakland Dispensaries offer chronically ill patients even more than safe and legal access to cannabis and an array of social services. The study found that dispensaries also provided other social benefits for the chronically ill, an impor- tant part of the bigger picture: [T]he multiple services provided by the social model are only part of the culture of social club facility. Another component of this model ... is the possible benefit that social support has for one diagnosed with a chronic and/or terminal physical or psy- chological illness. Beyond the support that medical cannabis patients receive from services is the support received from fellow patients, some of whom are experiencing the same or similar physical/psychological symptoms.... It is possible that the mental health benefits from the social support of fellow patients is an important part of the healing process, separate from the medici- nal value of the cannabis itself. Several researchers and physicians who have studied the issue of the patient experience with dispensaries have concluded that there are other important positive effects stemming from a dispensary model that includes a com- ponent of social support groups. Dr. Reiman notes that, "support groups may have the ability to address issues besides the illness itself that might contribute to long- term physical and emotional health outcomes, such as the prevalence of depression among the chronically ill." For those who suffer the most serious illness, such as HIV/AIDS and terminal cancer, these groups of like-minded people with similar conditions can also help patients through the grieving process. Other research into the patient experience has found that many patients have lost or are losing friends and partners to terminal illness. These patients report finding solace with other patients who are also grieving or facing end-of-life deci- sions. Amedical study published in 7998 con- cluded that the patient-to-patient contact associated with the social club model was the best therapeutic setting for ill people. For more information, see wv~na.AmericansPorSafeAccess org or contact the ASA office at 1-888-929-4367 or 510-251-1856_ 12