Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The Warren Planning Board unanimously approved a plan for an organic certified produce and medical marijuana farm on Atlantic Highway at its Oct. 12 meeting.
A chef by trade who has a restaurant in Westchester, PA, plans on growing unique vegetables for sale to local businesses and treating up to five licensed medicinal marijuana patients, according to Maine State Law.
With his father's side all bakers and mother's side all farmers, Daniel Cellucci sees a need for his talents in the Midcoast.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Cellucci purchased the property in August and is in the process of clearing the land at 358 Atlantic Highway.
The plan is to build a 90-foot by 30-foot locked and sealed greenhouse on the plot of land behind the house. It will be 14 feet tall.
Cellucci explained the greenhouse will be constructed of steel with a glass roof. It will have an alarm system and video surveillance.
"We decided to go a little excessive with the structure," Cellucci said. "Better to go more than less."
"Basically it'll be a little bit of a process," Cellucci said, explaining he wants to build the soil up, then focus heavily on microgreens and garnishes -- stuff that needs to be grown in a controlled environment -- as well as medicinal marijuana.
"Medical cannabis is definitely something I've wanted to get involved with," Cellucci said.
His mother has been battling lymphoma for the better part of seven years. He said she has been responding well to treatment, but plans to move in with her son as soon as everything is settled.
Cellucci said he has family in Appleton, who are medical marijuana patients and asked him to be the certified caregiver for them as well. Aside from his mother with cancer, he plans to treat a relative, who has multiple sclerosis and another who had post-traumatic stress syndrome -- who have been certified through the state.
According to Code Enforcement Officer Melody Sainio, Cellucci is the first to apply with the planning board in Warren for such an establishment.
Cellucci said he has already spoken to restaurants from New York City to Portland regarding selling them the organic produce he will be growing. He said he has yet to contact any local establishments.
Planning Board Chairman Joseph Birkenbile reviewed the state laws and explained Cellucci can have no more than five patients.
"Maine has really strong patient laws," Chris McCabe, legal adviser for Cellucci, said. "There is a high degree of confidentiality."
He explained some of the laws regulate the various stages of the growth. "It first goes by plant count, then weight after being harvested," he said.
McCabe said the cannabis could be grown outdoors, but cannot be visible from a public way.
"It is prone to robbery," McCabe said, adding, "It's a valuable material."
A next door neighbor expressed concern that there would be outside sales of marijuana from the property.
Birkenbile clarified as long as the buyer is one of Cellucci's five patience, that is within the law. "Let's not confuse it with the other issue coming up in February," he said.
Cellucci said he will be growing various strains of marijuana that have different effects.
"I'm trying to do this very responsibly," he said, adding "I want the town benefit from it and not to stigmatize it."
McCabe explained Cellucci is allowed to have 8 pounds of unprepared marijuana and 2.5 ounces of prepared per patient.
As for the neighbors' questions, Cellucci said, "I'm going to be living there with my family. I'm not going to put them in danger or anyone else."
"I will grow as much as the patients need -- within the realm of the law. I'm not here to judge what a patient needs or doesn't need; I'm here to help the patient."
"We're community-oriented people," Cellucci said of he and his wife Keyana.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical cannabis, organic produce farm approved in Warren - By Beth A. Birmingham - Rockland - Camden - Knox - Courier-Gazette - Camden Herald
Author: Beth A. Birmingham
Contact: News - Rockland - Camden - Knox - Courier-Gazette - Camden Herald
Photo Credit: William Archie
Website: News - Rockland - Camden - Knox - Courier-Gazette - Camden Herald
A chef by trade who has a restaurant in Westchester, PA, plans on growing unique vegetables for sale to local businesses and treating up to five licensed medicinal marijuana patients, according to Maine State Law.
With his father's side all bakers and mother's side all farmers, Daniel Cellucci sees a need for his talents in the Midcoast.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Cellucci purchased the property in August and is in the process of clearing the land at 358 Atlantic Highway.
The plan is to build a 90-foot by 30-foot locked and sealed greenhouse on the plot of land behind the house. It will be 14 feet tall.
Cellucci explained the greenhouse will be constructed of steel with a glass roof. It will have an alarm system and video surveillance.
"We decided to go a little excessive with the structure," Cellucci said. "Better to go more than less."
"Basically it'll be a little bit of a process," Cellucci said, explaining he wants to build the soil up, then focus heavily on microgreens and garnishes -- stuff that needs to be grown in a controlled environment -- as well as medicinal marijuana.
"Medical cannabis is definitely something I've wanted to get involved with," Cellucci said.
His mother has been battling lymphoma for the better part of seven years. He said she has been responding well to treatment, but plans to move in with her son as soon as everything is settled.
Cellucci said he has family in Appleton, who are medical marijuana patients and asked him to be the certified caregiver for them as well. Aside from his mother with cancer, he plans to treat a relative, who has multiple sclerosis and another who had post-traumatic stress syndrome -- who have been certified through the state.
According to Code Enforcement Officer Melody Sainio, Cellucci is the first to apply with the planning board in Warren for such an establishment.
Cellucci said he has already spoken to restaurants from New York City to Portland regarding selling them the organic produce he will be growing. He said he has yet to contact any local establishments.
Planning Board Chairman Joseph Birkenbile reviewed the state laws and explained Cellucci can have no more than five patients.
"Maine has really strong patient laws," Chris McCabe, legal adviser for Cellucci, said. "There is a high degree of confidentiality."
He explained some of the laws regulate the various stages of the growth. "It first goes by plant count, then weight after being harvested," he said.
McCabe said the cannabis could be grown outdoors, but cannot be visible from a public way.
"It is prone to robbery," McCabe said, adding, "It's a valuable material."
A next door neighbor expressed concern that there would be outside sales of marijuana from the property.
Birkenbile clarified as long as the buyer is one of Cellucci's five patience, that is within the law. "Let's not confuse it with the other issue coming up in February," he said.
Cellucci said he will be growing various strains of marijuana that have different effects.
"I'm trying to do this very responsibly," he said, adding "I want the town benefit from it and not to stigmatize it."
McCabe explained Cellucci is allowed to have 8 pounds of unprepared marijuana and 2.5 ounces of prepared per patient.
As for the neighbors' questions, Cellucci said, "I'm going to be living there with my family. I'm not going to put them in danger or anyone else."
"I will grow as much as the patients need -- within the realm of the law. I'm not here to judge what a patient needs or doesn't need; I'm here to help the patient."
"We're community-oriented people," Cellucci said of he and his wife Keyana.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical cannabis, organic produce farm approved in Warren - By Beth A. Birmingham - Rockland - Camden - Knox - Courier-Gazette - Camden Herald
Author: Beth A. Birmingham
Contact: News - Rockland - Camden - Knox - Courier-Gazette - Camden Herald
Photo Credit: William Archie
Website: News - Rockland - Camden - Knox - Courier-Gazette - Camden Herald