#CatalystForChange
CATALYST CARES
We are a Catalyst for Change, creating relationships to push for fair, community-based, progressive efforts in the cannabis industry.
Mission & Vision
Mission Statement: Catalyst Cares is Catalyst Cannabis Co.’s community engagement arm and brand and grows and expands the Weed for the People Movement through community engagement, community outreach, and Weed for the People enculturation. Accordingly, Catalyst Cares (1) brings the Weed for the People Movement beyond Catalyst’s dispensaries and into the surrounding communities; (2) promotes and lives a culture of volunteerism, activism, inclusion, and equity; (3) creates relationships within both the cannabis industry and local communities that will ensure growth and expansion of the Weed for the People Movement; and (4) develops and pursues policies that allow for equal access within the cannabis industry as well as the surrounding communities (i.e., ensuring the cannabis industry provides social equity).
Vision Statement: Catalyst Cannabis Co. will be welcomed with open arms by political and community leaders in any jurisdiction considering the licensing of cannabis business operations, and its Weed for the People Movement will grow and expand through organic licensing and community engagement.
History & Timeline
Our Journey!
Legalization - Prop 215
Prop 64
Connected
- Santa Ana
- Belmont
- Cherry
- Bellflower
Rebrand as Catalyst Cannabis Co & Eastside Store Opens
Catalyst Cares
Retail Store Realm Expansion Continues
- Pine
- Florence
- El Monte
- Marina
- Pomona
- Palm Desert
- Hemet
- San Bernardino
Catalyst Army Day
Over 100 employees, industry partners and family and friends
National Election
Over 100 employees, industry partners and family and friends
Retail Store Realm Expansion Continues
- Normandie
- Patterson
- Silver Lake
- MidCity
Meet The Team
We are #CATALYSTFORCHANGE & will continue to work for a community that is for EVERYONE.
Events
Types of Events
Education & Open House
Catalyst Cares hosts Open Houses and Cannabis 101 Workshops, where we invite the community to visit our retail stores. With the Open House, this allows for our neighbors to see and learn firsthand how a legal dispensary looks and operates. Our Cannabis 101 Workshops give our neighbors the chance to understand the science behind cannabis, seed-to-sale process, different ways of consumption, and cannabis safety. These events give Catalyst the opportunity to have conversations with the community and help dispel stigmas about this wonderful plant medicine. At Catalyst, we believe that “knowledge is power.” Join the conversation.
Beautification Projects
Since 2020, Catalyst Cares has had community clean-ups once a month, collecting over 2,000 pounds of trash across our expanding footprint. Gaining momentum from each cleanup, we now have partnered and will continue to partner with local nonprofits, community leaders, and local elected officials, such as but not limited to Mayor Tim Sandoval of Pomona and his Pomona Beautiful Project, Santa Ana Councilmembers Jessie López and Benjamin Vázquez, and more!
Records Expungement Clinics
Expungement of criminal records corrects some of the horrific pains caused by the decades-long war on cannabis. Catalyst Cares offers free expungement clinics as a public service to our patients who have a criminal record that makes them eligible for expungement. We believe that anyone who has been criminalized for marijuana deserves a fresh start in life.
SB34
SB34 is State Bill 34 that was passed to allow medical marijuana patients with a valid medical recommendation, or MMID, and a valid CA I.D.,D.L., or passport to receive free medical marijuana. This bill was led by the Weed for Warrior Project twice: once in 2018, when it was vetoed and then again in 2019, when it was finally passed. Because of this and their advocacy for mental health and wellness, Catalyst partners with the Weed for Warriors Project for all our SB34 events. Since 2021, we have hosted over a dozen SB34 events! Starting small and slow in the beginning, we now host SB34 events every other month across our entire retail footprint! Coastal Sun, Ember Valley, Lowell, West Coast Cure, and Traditional and Gelato have been some of our biggest and longest donors since the launch of our SB34 events, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Blood Drives
With a strategic partnership with LifeStream Blood Bank, Catalyst Cares hosts a recurring blood drive every other month at a different Catalyst retail store, with more coming down the pipeline at other locations. The blood that is donated will go to Loma Linda University Hospital. Through a joint social media marketing campaign, LifeStream and Catalyst Cares will continue to spread awareness to break the stigma that cannabis users cannot donate. Together, we are saving lives and educating the community and the industry. Each person who donates a pint can save three lives. Catalyst is currently poised to be the biggest donor in the LifeStream network. #bleedforweed
Necessities Drives
Catalyst Cares works with many non-profit organizations to uplift the communities surrounding our retail locations. We host food, clothing, and necessities drives throughout our 27 retail store footprint and work in tandem with local entities so that they may administer the goods to those in most need. Catalyst Cares has worked with Big House LA, Community Valley Pantry, Inland Empire Health Center, Music Changing Lives, New Life Beginnings, YMCA Monterey County, Coachella Valley Mission, and many more. Together with our partners, we make sure we bridge the gap of necessity through community. Every Wednesday in San Bernardino, Catalyst Cares also distributes fresh food to citizens in need and is always open to having more volunteers and providers join us in the good work.
Calendar
Coming Soon… Stay Tuned!
Education & Policy
Basic Cannabis Education
Legal Cannabis Industry
Safe Use Education
Basic Cannabis Education
Tax Initiatives | Social Equity | Ballot Initiatives | Expungement