CANNABIS PIONEERS IN PUERTO RICO

THE HEALTH CLINIC - THC -

BARCELONETA - ARECIBO - PUNTA LAS MARÍAS - KENNEDY AVENUE

What is the goal of THC?

At THC, our motto is: “We are patients serving other patients.” We strive to treat each patient the way we would want to be treated when we go to the dispensary to pick up our medication. At THC, we always have a wide variety of flowers and an exceptional selection of manufactured products. We are the first dispensary in Puerto Rico, established in December 2016, and the only establishment in the medical cannabis industry born directly from cannabis liberation activism. Service, variety, and prices are our greatest strengths.

What's a typical day like on THC?

THC is a health clinic. The patients who enter this treatment are as diverse as the number of approved conditions that qualify them. We are always very pleased to treat patients over 65 who come seeking relief from various ailments. Their youthful spirit and desire to improve are a true motivation. When they begin treatment and arrive at the dispensary grateful for how much their quality of life has improved, they don't know that they have given us the greatest satisfaction.

Health is life, how does THC make that difference in service and patient support?

In this market, there are two types of dispensaries: those that focus on sales and don't promote service, and those that do. We will always prioritize education and care for our patients. It doesn't matter if you need to spend an hour with our Budtender to find the ideal medication for your condition; at THC, we'll be with you every step of the way. Our relationship with our patients is personal, and they often become like family.

How does The Health Clinic help Puerto Rico?

We help in many ways, from developing a new economy to creating jobs, among other things. But our true contribution is serving as an intermediary between doctor and patient, helping them find the best possible treatment for their condition and improve their quality of life. That is priceless.

Any THC anecdotes you'd like to share?

I remember when we announced the imminent opening of our first dispensary in Barceloneta. Back then, we were reinventing the wheel; it was the first cannabis dispensary in Puerto Rico. A patient fair (which are so common now) had never been held before, and although some patients had already been certified, there was a lot of misinformation, and we were all waiting for the opportunity to finally buy this medicine legally in Puerto Rico. At that time (December 2016), Ricardo Rosselló had already won the election as Governor of Puerto Rico.

Since this industry was born without a law, through an Executive Order from Governor Alejandro García Padilla, we were concerned that when the incoming Governor took office, he would halt the opening of THC until a bill was passed. That would inevitably delay the industry's start by months, if not years. We weren't willing to wait. The grow operation was ready, the dispensaries were ready (two additional dispensaries opened that day as well), all that was missing was a laboratory that was ready and authorized by the health department so we could begin. Finally, the laboratory obtained its approval and immediately conducted the required tests for the two existing grow operations. December 30th arrived, and three days before the new Governor's inauguration, we opened operations, and authorized patients in Puerto Rico had the opportunity, for the first time in history, to acquire medical cannabis in Puerto Rico LEGALLY. I remember that the first patient was the activist and founder of Free Juana, Attorney Shadiff Repullo. To her and to everyone who was part of this struggle, THANK YOU.

How do we see THC in 5 years' time?

When we started, we had no expansion plans. Today (four years later), thanks to the support of our patients, we already have four dispensaries operating (Barceloneta, Arecibo, Punta Las Marías, and Avenida Kennedy), and we'll soon be opening two new locations: Mayagüez and Hatillo, all with 100% Puerto Rican capital. If the support continues, we can expect to see more THC around the island and very likely in the United States as well; only time will tell. For now, we're focused on embracing the spirit of awakened activism and striving to give our patients the best dispensary experience they can have.

THE THC EXPERIENCE!