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The Department of Public Health reported yesterday 158 of the 181 applicants vying to open 35 medicinal pot dispensaries across the state have advanced to the next phase of the competition.
Though the rejected applications "were denied for a wide variety of reasons," DPH said 22 were eliminated based, in part, on their lack of nonprofit status or financial viability, while one applicant simply withdrew.
"This is a very competitive process, and we required applicants to meet high standards to advance," DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said. "We are fortunate that Massachusetts has a large field of serious applicants who are capable of making a significant investment to benefit qualified patients and safeguard communities.
"While no decision to deny an applicant was taken lightly," she said, "we wanted to ensure that those who advance could demonstrate the ability to operate a successful nonprofit Registered Marijuana Dispensary."
The next step will involve a selection committee evaluating and scoring applicants based on such factors as ability to meet the health needs of registered patients, appropriateness of the desired dispensary site, geographical distribution of dispensaries, local support and ensuring public safety.
In the first year of legalized marijuana operations, each of the state's 14 counties must have at least one, but no more than five, dispensaries.
Of the original 181, three of Suffolk County's 22 applications were rejected, DPH said. Of Middlesex County's 45 applications, five were rejected. All of Norfolk County's 12 applications were approved. Two of Essex County's 18 applications were rejected. Four of Plymouth County's 16 applications were denied.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: bostonherald.com
Author: Laurel J. Sweet
Contact: Contact Us | Boston Herald
Website: DPH narrows pot-dispensary field | Boston Herald
Though the rejected applications "were denied for a wide variety of reasons," DPH said 22 were eliminated based, in part, on their lack of nonprofit status or financial viability, while one applicant simply withdrew.
"This is a very competitive process, and we required applicants to meet high standards to advance," DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said. "We are fortunate that Massachusetts has a large field of serious applicants who are capable of making a significant investment to benefit qualified patients and safeguard communities.
"While no decision to deny an applicant was taken lightly," she said, "we wanted to ensure that those who advance could demonstrate the ability to operate a successful nonprofit Registered Marijuana Dispensary."
The next step will involve a selection committee evaluating and scoring applicants based on such factors as ability to meet the health needs of registered patients, appropriateness of the desired dispensary site, geographical distribution of dispensaries, local support and ensuring public safety.
In the first year of legalized marijuana operations, each of the state's 14 counties must have at least one, but no more than five, dispensaries.
Of the original 181, three of Suffolk County's 22 applications were rejected, DPH said. Of Middlesex County's 45 applications, five were rejected. All of Norfolk County's 12 applications were approved. Two of Essex County's 18 applications were rejected. Four of Plymouth County's 16 applications were denied.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: bostonherald.com
Author: Laurel J. Sweet
Contact: Contact Us | Boston Herald
Website: DPH narrows pot-dispensary field | Boston Herald
