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In a packed conference room at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, the big sales pitch is on.
About 300 people have gathered to get information on how to apply for a license to run a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts.
The pitch comes from Dr. Bruce Bedrick, the CEO of Medbox Inc., an Arizona-based company that offers consulting services and dispensing systems for medical marijuana that look and operate just like vending machines, though Bedrick cringes at that description.
Bedrick warns that getting a license in Massachusetts won't be easy. The state is requiring applicants to put at least $500,000 in an escrow account to ensure that they have enough resources to operate and submit detailed operating procedures for the dispensaries.
"You have to be able to submit an application that's better than your neighbor's," Bedrick said.
"They are going to score you. ... This is about winning, folks."
In November, state voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana for patients with cancer, AIDS, Parkinson's disease and other serious health conditions. With the release last week of proposed regulations for the new industry, hundreds of people are getting down to the business of trying to get only one of 35 licenses the state will grant to run dispensaries.
Many who attended Bedrick's workshops Wednesday were reluctant to speak to a reporter.
Several people said they were worried about a stigma, even though Massachusetts was the 18th state to legalize medical marijuana.
Since voters approved medical marijuana, at least a half dozen consulting companies and law firms have opened offices in Massachusetts.
Vicente Sederberg, a Denver-based law firm, has offices in Boston and Needham and provides legal services and advice to people applying for dispensary licenses.
"There's definitely a lot of interest," said Josh Kappel, a senior associate at the firm. "The people who are interested range from someone who had a loved one with cancer who they've seen marijuana work for ... to people who have experience in the health care field, to people who are just excited about this whole industry," Kappel said.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patriotledger.com
Author: Denise Lavoie
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website: Competition high in Mass. for medical marijuana licenses - News - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
About 300 people have gathered to get information on how to apply for a license to run a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts.
The pitch comes from Dr. Bruce Bedrick, the CEO of Medbox Inc., an Arizona-based company that offers consulting services and dispensing systems for medical marijuana that look and operate just like vending machines, though Bedrick cringes at that description.
Bedrick warns that getting a license in Massachusetts won't be easy. The state is requiring applicants to put at least $500,000 in an escrow account to ensure that they have enough resources to operate and submit detailed operating procedures for the dispensaries.
"You have to be able to submit an application that's better than your neighbor's," Bedrick said.
"They are going to score you. ... This is about winning, folks."
In November, state voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana for patients with cancer, AIDS, Parkinson's disease and other serious health conditions. With the release last week of proposed regulations for the new industry, hundreds of people are getting down to the business of trying to get only one of 35 licenses the state will grant to run dispensaries.
Many who attended Bedrick's workshops Wednesday were reluctant to speak to a reporter.
Several people said they were worried about a stigma, even though Massachusetts was the 18th state to legalize medical marijuana.
Since voters approved medical marijuana, at least a half dozen consulting companies and law firms have opened offices in Massachusetts.
Vicente Sederberg, a Denver-based law firm, has offices in Boston and Needham and provides legal services and advice to people applying for dispensary licenses.
"There's definitely a lot of interest," said Josh Kappel, a senior associate at the firm. "The people who are interested range from someone who had a loved one with cancer who they've seen marijuana work for ... to people who have experience in the health care field, to people who are just excited about this whole industry," Kappel said.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patriotledger.com
Author: Denise Lavoie
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website: Competition high in Mass. for medical marijuana licenses - News - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
