MEND was founded by two construction workers, Rob Mahy Sr. and Gary Pallister, who dared to defy the law on a mission to transform their small town reeling from the opiate crisis. It started in 2013 when Gary gifted Rob a jar of cannabis tincture to alleviate Rob’s years of unbearable broken back pain. Miraculously, it worked infinitely better than the countless pharmaceuticals Rob had been prescribed.

Inspired to help others, Rob worked tirelessly to refine the CBD dominate cannabis tincture recipe. Rob consulted with scientists around the world including renowned cannabis research pioneer Dr. Raphael Mechoulam in Israel to make sure he was on the right track. The result was an easy to learn recipe involving a crock-pot, whole cannabis plant, distilled water and vegetable glycerine. A technique they freely share with anyone willing to explore the holistic healing properties of cannabis.

We meet their patients aged 11 to 88 who were failed by Western medicine and found relief through MEND’s guidance. They share their heartfelt stories of how diminished their lives were suffering everything from epilepsy, PTSD, fibromyalgia, insomnia, chronic back pain, migraines, lupus, COPD, anxiety, stroke, MS and yes, the big C = cancer.

We learn that all Rob and Gary ask from those who have found healing from their teachings is to pay it forward by passing on the knowledge to the next willing student.  What they lovingly call the “ripple… ripple”.

Dr. Ira Price, one of the world’s leading experts in cannabinoid medicine, weaves throughout the documentary providing scientific and historical perspective on the most demonized plant in modern history.

Director/Producer Kim Saltarski’s unique access to MEND captures a refreshing story beyond the profit-focused medical cannabis stories dominating the media.

MEND with Dignity is a timely and touching look at patients helping patients inside the DIY cannabis healing movement sweeping across Canada and the world. Ultimately it’s a very human story about how caring and selflessly helping neighbours and strangers can not only transform individual lives but an entire community.