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The Bay State's medical pot shops slated to open for business this summer and approved by voters nearly two years ago likely won't be selling their special weed until fall at the earliest. That's because they can't even begin growing their plants until they win their licenses. The Department of Public Health plans to award licenses for the dispensaries this summer. But Kevin Fisher of New England Treatment Access, which hopes to open a shop in Northampton, said his company wouldn't be able to start growing its marijuana until it is fully licensed by the state and it would then take at least four more months before the weed can be cultivated for distribution.
"It's impacting, most greatly, getting plants in the ground," Fisher told the Herald. "On the very, very short side, it's about four months. That's with having a robust team in place and utilizing a shorter growth cycle." It's the latest apparent snag in the state's long, drawn-out rollout of medicinal marijuana, which has been plagued by lawsuits, backlash from local communities and flaws in the pot shop licensing process. The Herald has reported that highly paid DPH consultants who performed an "expert review" rating the 100 license applicants had no background in the medical-marijuana industry. Other flaws include a finalist application that lists a convicted felon as a key financier; complaints from local officials that dispensary applications exaggerated their level of support; and DPH's admission that it began fact-checking the candidates' claims only after the top 20 were chosen.
"The state has really botched this whole process," said Lesley Rich, an attorney and president of Apex Compassion & Wellness Center, which has filed a lawsuit against the state after being passed over for a license. "It's almost a matter of the blind leading the blind." DPH spokesman Dave Kibbe said the department is taking its time vetting provisional license-holders. "DPH's focus is on striking the appropriate balance between ensuring patient access and public safety," Kibbe said. "To that end we are engaged in a process of fully verifying all information and operational plans submitted by dispensary applicants. That process takes time."
Meanwhile, one pot shop contender, whose application was passed over, is hoping that at least one of the provisional license holders will be rejected. Geoffrey Reilinger of Compassionate Organics presented a proposal to a neighborhood group Thursday for a dispensary on Harvard Avenue in Allston-Brighton. "A spot would have to open up," Reilinger admitted. "We've all heard rumors that ... there have been errors and omissions in their applications, which in my mind is problematic if the program wants to have any integrity. ... Until it's done we continue to put forth our best application." Kibbe said DPH is not accepting new applications, but also admitted it has no process in place if any provisional license holders fail to make the final cut.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Bostonherald.com
Author: Chris Cassidy
Contact: Contact Us | Boston Herald
Website: Delays nip pot growers in the bud | Boston Herald
"It's impacting, most greatly, getting plants in the ground," Fisher told the Herald. "On the very, very short side, it's about four months. That's with having a robust team in place and utilizing a shorter growth cycle." It's the latest apparent snag in the state's long, drawn-out rollout of medicinal marijuana, which has been plagued by lawsuits, backlash from local communities and flaws in the pot shop licensing process. The Herald has reported that highly paid DPH consultants who performed an "expert review" rating the 100 license applicants had no background in the medical-marijuana industry. Other flaws include a finalist application that lists a convicted felon as a key financier; complaints from local officials that dispensary applications exaggerated their level of support; and DPH's admission that it began fact-checking the candidates' claims only after the top 20 were chosen.
"The state has really botched this whole process," said Lesley Rich, an attorney and president of Apex Compassion & Wellness Center, which has filed a lawsuit against the state after being passed over for a license. "It's almost a matter of the blind leading the blind." DPH spokesman Dave Kibbe said the department is taking its time vetting provisional license-holders. "DPH's focus is on striking the appropriate balance between ensuring patient access and public safety," Kibbe said. "To that end we are engaged in a process of fully verifying all information and operational plans submitted by dispensary applicants. That process takes time."
Meanwhile, one pot shop contender, whose application was passed over, is hoping that at least one of the provisional license holders will be rejected. Geoffrey Reilinger of Compassionate Organics presented a proposal to a neighborhood group Thursday for a dispensary on Harvard Avenue in Allston-Brighton. "A spot would have to open up," Reilinger admitted. "We've all heard rumors that ... there have been errors and omissions in their applications, which in my mind is problematic if the program wants to have any integrity. ... Until it's done we continue to put forth our best application." Kibbe said DPH is not accepting new applications, but also admitted it has no process in place if any provisional license holders fail to make the final cut.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Bostonherald.com
Author: Chris Cassidy
Contact: Contact Us | Boston Herald
Website: Delays nip pot growers in the bud | Boston Herald
