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A city review committee has selected a Chicopee-based company as having submitted the "most advantageous" proposal for a medical marijuana treatment center in Springfield.
The committee gave Hampden Care Facility Inc., of Chicopee, its top ranking among six submitted proposals, said Theo Theocles, the city's chief deputy procurement officer.
As a result, the city will now negotiate a "host community agreement" with Hampden Care Facility Inc., for its proposed center, Theocles said. The agreement would spell out conditions and requirements for the medical marijuana facility, and needs pproval from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council.
The company would also need to obtain a special permit from the council through a public hearing process.
The committee is not yet releasing details of the company's proposal including the proposed site of the medical marijuana center until, and if, negotiations are successful with Hampden Care Facility, Theocles said. Negotiations should be completed by mid-March, he said.
The second highest ranked company was GTI-Massachusetts, of Boston; that was followed in order by Liberty Compassion Center, Inc., of Blackstone; Theory Wellness Inc., of Stoneham; Prime Wellness Centers Inc., of Shrewsbury; and ETHCX Inc., of Springfield.
If negotiations are not successful with Hampden Care Facility, negotiations would occur with the next highest ranked companies, Theocles said.
The review committee consisted of:Law Department lawyer Thomas Moore; Christopher Cignoli, director of Public Works; Philip Dromey, deputy city planner; Michael Jachym, city zoning administrator; Steven Desilets, code enforcement commissioner; Helen Caulton-Harris, city health commissioner; representatives of the mayor's office and Theocles.
The companies have a separate application process with the state for locating a medical marijuana facility anywhere in Massachusetts.
Any medical marijuana facility needs both city and state approval and Hampden Care Facility remains under state review..
Tom Gallagher, of Newbury, New Hampshire, is listed as president, treasurer and one of the directors of Hampden Care Facility. Other board members are listed as Alexa Gallagher of Springfield, also its clerk; Dr. Shawn Charest of Florence, South Carolina; Dr. Bruce Nassau of Lakewood, Colorado; William Ketchen of Chicopee; and Jennifer Gottschlight, of New York, N.Y.
Hampden Care Facility "organized for nonprofit purposes including, but not limited to, promoting patient care, encouraging medical research, and supporting community development through Massachusetts," according to its corporate records.
The city, after negotiations, can enter into an agreement with the company, and could issue a letter of support, or a letter of non-opposition to the proposed clinic, Theocles said. The letter from Springfield and other communities is part of the state application process for medical marijuana clinics, under state law.
The city, in advertising for initial qualifications and proposals last fall, stated it was seeking to implement "a careful balance of promoting appropriate access for patients with identified need, while mitigating secondary effects as to security and community impacts.."
Hampden Care Facility had also proposed a medical marijuana facility in Chicopee, gaining initial support from the Planning Board, but the project did not move forward.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Springfield Gives 'Most Advantageous' Rating To Chicopee Firm For MMJ Facility
Author: Peter Goonan
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Don Treeger
Website: MassLive
The committee gave Hampden Care Facility Inc., of Chicopee, its top ranking among six submitted proposals, said Theo Theocles, the city's chief deputy procurement officer.
As a result, the city will now negotiate a "host community agreement" with Hampden Care Facility Inc., for its proposed center, Theocles said. The agreement would spell out conditions and requirements for the medical marijuana facility, and needs pproval from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council.
The company would also need to obtain a special permit from the council through a public hearing process.
The committee is not yet releasing details of the company's proposal including the proposed site of the medical marijuana center until, and if, negotiations are successful with Hampden Care Facility, Theocles said. Negotiations should be completed by mid-March, he said.
The second highest ranked company was GTI-Massachusetts, of Boston; that was followed in order by Liberty Compassion Center, Inc., of Blackstone; Theory Wellness Inc., of Stoneham; Prime Wellness Centers Inc., of Shrewsbury; and ETHCX Inc., of Springfield.
If negotiations are not successful with Hampden Care Facility, negotiations would occur with the next highest ranked companies, Theocles said.
The review committee consisted of:Law Department lawyer Thomas Moore; Christopher Cignoli, director of Public Works; Philip Dromey, deputy city planner; Michael Jachym, city zoning administrator; Steven Desilets, code enforcement commissioner; Helen Caulton-Harris, city health commissioner; representatives of the mayor's office and Theocles.
The companies have a separate application process with the state for locating a medical marijuana facility anywhere in Massachusetts.
Any medical marijuana facility needs both city and state approval and Hampden Care Facility remains under state review..
Tom Gallagher, of Newbury, New Hampshire, is listed as president, treasurer and one of the directors of Hampden Care Facility. Other board members are listed as Alexa Gallagher of Springfield, also its clerk; Dr. Shawn Charest of Florence, South Carolina; Dr. Bruce Nassau of Lakewood, Colorado; William Ketchen of Chicopee; and Jennifer Gottschlight, of New York, N.Y.
Hampden Care Facility "organized for nonprofit purposes including, but not limited to, promoting patient care, encouraging medical research, and supporting community development through Massachusetts," according to its corporate records.
The city, after negotiations, can enter into an agreement with the company, and could issue a letter of support, or a letter of non-opposition to the proposed clinic, Theocles said. The letter from Springfield and other communities is part of the state application process for medical marijuana clinics, under state law.
The city, in advertising for initial qualifications and proposals last fall, stated it was seeking to implement "a careful balance of promoting appropriate access for patients with identified need, while mitigating secondary effects as to security and community impacts.."
Hampden Care Facility had also proposed a medical marijuana facility in Chicopee, gaining initial support from the Planning Board, but the project did not move forward.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Springfield Gives 'Most Advantageous' Rating To Chicopee Firm For MMJ Facility
Author: Peter Goonan
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Don Treeger
Website: MassLive
