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The state's third facility permitted for the cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana is expected to open this month at a former furniture factory on Lovers Lane.
Alexandra Ford, executive director of the nonprofit Rutland County Organics, said even before the 6,700-square-foot facility opens there is overwhelming demand statewide from people suffering from debilitating illnesses, including cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders.
Ford said marijuana treatment for extreme pain is a far better option – more homeopathic with fewer side effects – than prescription drugs.
"From my point of view, I think we have a real issue with pharmacological drugs and these are people who have very, very debilitating conditions who would rather seek this type of pain relief," said Ford, who previously worked as a counselor at Rutland Mental Health.
She added that because marijuana treatment isn't covered by insurance, patients pay out of their own pocket.
In 2004, the state enacted a law establishing a marijuana registry which permitted people with serious illnesses to use marijuana without fear of criminal penalties.
Of the 900 patients registered, 450 are signed up for the medical marijuana dispensary, according to Lindsey Wells of the state's Marijuana Registry. Statewide, dispensaries are limited to 1,000 patients, which means the dispensaries are at nearly 50 percent of their limit.
The cultivation at the Rutland County Organics facility is entirely indoors and unlike street marijuana is organically grown to meet strict guidelines.
"It's just a very controlled environment," Ford said. "We grow in sealed bio-pods; we're cultivating with air conditioning, dehumidifiers, grow lights," she said.
Ford said two categories of marijuana are available: Sativa for daytime use and Indica, which controls pain overnight. Within those two categories are a number of strains.
She said patients will be given tracking sheets to document the effect different strains of marijuana have on controlling their pain.
There are several ways a patient can administer marijuana, including smoking, vaporization, edibles and tinctures.
If there is one drawback to the regulations, Ford said, it's that patients must pick up the cannabis in person. She said some of her patients will have a two-hour drive to the dispensary. It would be far more helpful, under those circumstances, if someone could pick up the marijuana and deliver it to the patient, she said.
Brandon's Development Review Board signed off on a conditional use permit for the dispensary in March.
Neighbors appealed the permit to the state Environmental Court. In response, Rutland County Organics agreed to a number of changes in its hours of operation and security measures that satisfied neighbors' concerns, Ford said.
"We had a mediation in Montpelier and my company conceded on 10 different concerns the neighbors had, and we felt we came to a good understanding and so we were able to get our permit," she said.
The dispensary operates under a number of strict guidelines:
Rutland County Organics will pay the state a $20,000 fee during its first year in operation and $30,000 a year after that. Ford said no tax money is allocated for the Department of Public Safety to administer and monitor the dispensaries. Patients register with the Vermont Criminal Information Center.
The dispensary employs one other worker, a master grower.
Ford said she doesn't advocate recreational use of the drug nor its legalization at the present time.
"We're just interested in getting these patients the medicine they need," she said. "Our motto is safe and consistent access."
The two other dispensaries are in Burlington and Montpelier. A fourth dispensary is going through the approval process.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: sentinelsource.com
Author: Bruce Edwards
Contact: webmaster@keenesentinel.com
Website: Brandon marijuana facility close to opening - SentinelSource.com: Business News
Alexandra Ford, executive director of the nonprofit Rutland County Organics, said even before the 6,700-square-foot facility opens there is overwhelming demand statewide from people suffering from debilitating illnesses, including cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders.
Ford said marijuana treatment for extreme pain is a far better option – more homeopathic with fewer side effects – than prescription drugs.
"From my point of view, I think we have a real issue with pharmacological drugs and these are people who have very, very debilitating conditions who would rather seek this type of pain relief," said Ford, who previously worked as a counselor at Rutland Mental Health.
She added that because marijuana treatment isn't covered by insurance, patients pay out of their own pocket.
In 2004, the state enacted a law establishing a marijuana registry which permitted people with serious illnesses to use marijuana without fear of criminal penalties.
Of the 900 patients registered, 450 are signed up for the medical marijuana dispensary, according to Lindsey Wells of the state's Marijuana Registry. Statewide, dispensaries are limited to 1,000 patients, which means the dispensaries are at nearly 50 percent of their limit.
The cultivation at the Rutland County Organics facility is entirely indoors and unlike street marijuana is organically grown to meet strict guidelines.
"It's just a very controlled environment," Ford said. "We grow in sealed bio-pods; we're cultivating with air conditioning, dehumidifiers, grow lights," she said.
Ford said two categories of marijuana are available: Sativa for daytime use and Indica, which controls pain overnight. Within those two categories are a number of strains.
She said patients will be given tracking sheets to document the effect different strains of marijuana have on controlling their pain.
There are several ways a patient can administer marijuana, including smoking, vaporization, edibles and tinctures.
If there is one drawback to the regulations, Ford said, it's that patients must pick up the cannabis in person. She said some of her patients will have a two-hour drive to the dispensary. It would be far more helpful, under those circumstances, if someone could pick up the marijuana and deliver it to the patient, she said.
Brandon's Development Review Board signed off on a conditional use permit for the dispensary in March.
Neighbors appealed the permit to the state Environmental Court. In response, Rutland County Organics agreed to a number of changes in its hours of operation and security measures that satisfied neighbors' concerns, Ford said.
"We had a mediation in Montpelier and my company conceded on 10 different concerns the neighbors had, and we felt we came to a good understanding and so we were able to get our permit," she said.
The dispensary operates under a number of strict guidelines:
- Only one patient is allowed in the dispensary at a time and can only be seen by appointment.
- Marijuana cannot be used on the premises but must be taken home by the patient in a locked box or container.
- Patients cannot travel out of state with marijuana.
- A maximum of 56 grams can be purchased in a 30-day period. Ford said patients pay $12.50 a gram or $350 an ounce.
- Any violation of operating procedures must be reported to the state.
- Any suspected illegal activity must be reported to law enforcement.
Rutland County Organics will pay the state a $20,000 fee during its first year in operation and $30,000 a year after that. Ford said no tax money is allocated for the Department of Public Safety to administer and monitor the dispensaries. Patients register with the Vermont Criminal Information Center.
The dispensary employs one other worker, a master grower.
Ford said she doesn't advocate recreational use of the drug nor its legalization at the present time.
"We're just interested in getting these patients the medicine they need," she said. "Our motto is safe and consistent access."
The two other dispensaries are in Burlington and Montpelier. A fourth dispensary is going through the approval process.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: sentinelsource.com
Author: Bruce Edwards
Contact: webmaster@keenesentinel.com
Website: Brandon marijuana facility close to opening - SentinelSource.com: Business News
