The Artist Tree is giving free medical marijuana to patients and veterans at its two Southern California dispensaries.
The Compassion Program provides free products to patients “suffering from serious medical conditions” and military veterans.
The program is available at the Laguna Woods and West Hollywood stores. The dispensary said it expects to help 100 patients monthly at each location.
We asked the company a few questions about the program. Lauren Fontein, the co-founder and chief compliance officer at The Artist Tree, provided the answers, which have been edited for length.
Q: What is a medical cannabis patient? Also, what kind of “serious medical condition” must customers have?
A: The compassion program is available to all qualified medical cannabis patients in compliance with state law. Qualified medical patients are people age 18 and over with either a medical marijuana identification card (MMIC) or a physician’s recommendation.
The program is not limited to patients with specific medical conditions, but is open to all qualified medical patients. Our goal is to service those patients, such those with chronic conditions, seniors and veterans, who may struggle to afford medical cannabis.
Q: What kind of proof of medical status be required?
A: Patients must provide the same documentation that is required at all CA dispensaries to qualify as a medical cannabis patient – either a MMIC or a physician’s recommendation.
Q: What will be given to these patients? Can the company provide a range of cannabis products qualifying patients will receive?
A: Patients are eligible for two free items every month. We will offer a variety of items, so that patients can choose what works best for them, with a focus on items that have beneficial medicinal qualities.
Free items will include tinctures, edibles, topicals, flower, and vapes from a variety of wellness brands.
The dispensaries are at 24902 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Woods and 8625 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood.
For more information, go to TheArtistTree.com.
Rescue Mission seeks hygiene items
The Orange County Rescue Mission is seeking donations to replenish its essential hygiene items for residents at its transitional living facilities.
After donating items to wildfire victims in Los Angeles County, the nonprofit’s reserves are running thin.
The daily essentials are given to unhoused adults, veterans, youth and families at Village of Hope and other transitional living facilities. The Rescue Mission also sends care packages to the homeless throughout the county.
The list of hygiene items includes: shampoo, lotion, baby powder, Q-tips, bobby pins, hair ties and bows, new underwear for kids and adults, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, feminine hygiene items and toilet paper.
Donations can be dropped off at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin. The also can be ordered online and delivered to Village of Hope (same address). The donation warehouse is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, go to visit rescuemission.org/items and for any questions, email volunteers@rescuemission.org.
Bundt cakes coming to Anaheim Hills
Nothing Bundt Cakes is coming to Anaheim Hills Festival shopping center later this year.
Vestar, which manages the retail center, declined to provide any further updates on when the cake shop would open or where inside the retail center.
Also coming to the Festival center is Egg Tuck, a popular LA-based egg sandwich chain. It’s debut, originally slated for Feb. 25, was delayed to March 18, according to food reporter Brock Keeling.
Free Direct File available from IRS
The Internal Revenue Service has rolled out its free IRS Direct File for all qualifying Californians.
The site, in English or Spanish, offers guided help for preparing and filing a federal tax return, using a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Direct File will work past the April 15 deadline through the extension deadline of Oct. 15, 2025. (We’ll note that Los Angeles County residents all were extended to Oct. 15 after devastating January wildfires prompted a presidential disaster declaration.)
The IRS’ free program is only for basic tax returns, and it comes with several exclusions. (For example: Filers must have lived in California all of 2024 and filed a federal return in the state in the past five years).
Types of qualifying income are restricted to the W-2, unemployment wages (form 1099-G), Social Security benefits (SSA-1099), health savings benefits (1099-SA) and interest income (1099-INT). Those who work in gig industries or freelance, or receive alimony are not eligible to use Direct File.
New options this year include:
— Import W-2 wages and other tax information directly from the IRS— A chat bot to help guide tax filers— A live chat feature in English and Spanish— Opt-in option allows authenticated and verified taxpayers to access additional customer support— Users also can request callbacks from a customer support.
The IRS notes that other filing options still exist including IRS Free File, free return preparation sites from companies and commercial software or authorized e-file providers.
On the move
C. David Ross is the new chief financial officer at KPC Health in Corona. Most recently, he was an executive consultant to providers and companies in the healthcare sector. Before that, Ross was chief operating officer and CFO at Tenet Healthcare Corp.’s Michigan/Illinois Group and Detroit Medical Center. KPC Health hospitals include facilities in Orange County, Hemet, Menifee and Victorville.
On board
Debbie Trammell of Newport Beach recently was appointed to the board at KidWorks, a Santa Ana nonprofit. Trammel chairs KidWorks’ annual Women’s Pickleball for a Purpose event and also mentors a KidWorks young adult who majoring in nursing. Trammell runs DST Consulting, which works with medical device startups. Her career also includes work as a clinical specialist, surgical nurse, and an ICU nurse.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
