Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Two years after the use of medical marijuana was approved by Massachusetts voters on a ballot question, the city's designated dispensary- the only one approved in Hampshire County- is finally preparing to open.
Although no specific date has been designated, the New England Treatment Access building at 118 Con St. will open for business during the last week in September, according to Norton Arbelaez, a spokesman for the company. The state Department of Public Health is supposed to make a final walkthrough of the facility before that, Arbelaez said.
The company, which also holds the license for a dispensary in Brookline, received its certificate of occupancy last year.
New England Treatment Access will offer some 70 products, including salves and edibles containing marijuana, according to Arbelaez. It is up to individual physicians and practices to determine whether or not to write prescriptions for marijuana. If one so opts, he or she must undergo training and be registered by the state.
There are already some 10,000 patients registered to receive marijuana in Massachusetts, Arbelaez said, although the product is not covered by most insurance policies.
All products distributed by dispensaries must be tested for potency and contaminants by the state, according to Arbelaez. The delay has been due in part to this fact, since there is only one laboratory in Massachusetts capable of such procedures.
Since building codes regarding such facilities are very strict, Mayor David J. Narkewicz said the city will not impose any further oversight.
"They have worked very closely with our police," he said. "It's one of the most secure facilities in Northampton."
Narkewicz noted that the Northampton police already have experience with such operations since the city has one of the few needle exchanges in the state.
"If issues arise, there are open lines of communication," he said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Northampton medical marijuana dispensary aims to open in late September
Author: Fred Contrada
Contact: Contact Author
Photo Credit: Fred Contrada
Website: Massachusetts Local News, Breaking News, Sports and Weather
Although no specific date has been designated, the New England Treatment Access building at 118 Con St. will open for business during the last week in September, according to Norton Arbelaez, a spokesman for the company. The state Department of Public Health is supposed to make a final walkthrough of the facility before that, Arbelaez said.
The company, which also holds the license for a dispensary in Brookline, received its certificate of occupancy last year.
New England Treatment Access will offer some 70 products, including salves and edibles containing marijuana, according to Arbelaez. It is up to individual physicians and practices to determine whether or not to write prescriptions for marijuana. If one so opts, he or she must undergo training and be registered by the state.
There are already some 10,000 patients registered to receive marijuana in Massachusetts, Arbelaez said, although the product is not covered by most insurance policies.
All products distributed by dispensaries must be tested for potency and contaminants by the state, according to Arbelaez. The delay has been due in part to this fact, since there is only one laboratory in Massachusetts capable of such procedures.
Since building codes regarding such facilities are very strict, Mayor David J. Narkewicz said the city will not impose any further oversight.
"They have worked very closely with our police," he said. "It's one of the most secure facilities in Northampton."
Narkewicz noted that the Northampton police already have experience with such operations since the city has one of the few needle exchanges in the state.
"If issues arise, there are open lines of communication," he said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Northampton medical marijuana dispensary aims to open in late September
Author: Fred Contrada
Contact: Contact Author
Photo Credit: Fred Contrada
Website: Massachusetts Local News, Breaking News, Sports and Weather
