Pubdate: Wed, 2 Jun 2010
Source: Journal Tribune (ME)
Copyright: 2010 Journal Tribune
Contact:  http://www.journaltribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1074
Author: Tammy Wells, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

COMPANY EYES SANFORD MILL FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

SANFORD - A South Berwick company is considering setting up a medical 
marijuana dispensary in one of Sanford's old textile mills.

Green Relief MD is eyeing Stone Mill Place, a six-story former 
textile mill owned by Eric Stone on Emery Street in the millyard.

Under rules set by the state following passage of the medical 
marijuana referendum in November 2009, York County will be allowed 
one state-approved, non-profit medical marijuana dispensary. The 
county is one of eight Public Health Districts set up across the 
state for dispensary locations.

Green Relief MD founder Ron Fousek said the facility would generate 
23 jobs in the first year, and he projects a staff of 300 in five 
years. He estimated the project would cost about $500,000 to 
implement. The state application fee is $15,000.

Green Relief MD will be watching Town Council action next Tuesday to 
see if the panel will consider repeal of an emergency moratorium it 
enacted in April. If there is no repeal, the 90-day moratorium will 
expire of its own accord July 20, unless the council proceeds with 
the second reading of a moratorium ordinance that would give it time 
to develop zoning. A first reading was held Tuesday.

Green Relief MD is under pressure because applications to the state 
must be made by June 25. The state will not consider an application 
in a community where a moratorium exists.

Fousek said this morning that the company has also approached Eliot 
and has eyed Arundel and South Berwick and is expected to speak with 
officials in Wells tonight, but Sanford and the mill is his preferred location.

"We'd get the top two floors for growing (in the 200,000-square-foot 
mill building)," he said. "Sanford is the place we want to be."

Councilors said they understand the urgency on Green Relief MD's 
part, but don't want to be rushed into making a decision. After a 
lengthy discussion, they agreed to next week discuss and perhaps take 
action on a repeal of the existing emergency ordinance, which 
requires five affirmative votes out of seven. Repeal of an emergency 
ordinance requires no public hearing.

Councilors said they wanted to take their time in considering all options.

"I don't see the rush to do something. That just gets you in 
trouble," said Councilor Anne Marie Mastraccio.

"It's not that I don't want it. I don't want you to misunderstand. 
I'm trying to be open to this argument, however ... we have a 
process," said Councilor Brad Littlefield. "I almost feel like I've 
got a gun to my head. I don't want to feel pressured."

Under state rules, marijuana may be prescribed by a physician to 
treat symptoms associated with a number of illnesses, including 
cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's 
disease, hepatitis C, agitation of Alzheimer's disease and a genetic 
disorder called Nail-patella syndrome.

Fousek this morning said he and Brian Eager, a business partner in 
Green Relief MD, are already designated as caregivers under Maine's 
existing medical marijuana laws, which allow a caregiver to grow a 
specified amount of marijuana for their own medical purposes or grow 
or acquire it for someone else. Allowed 10 patients under the law, he 
said he has three and Eager two.

Fousek said he is one of 21 directors of Medical Marijuana Growers of Maine.

If the council were to repeal the existing emergency moratorium, 
officials say location of a dispensary would fall under existing 
zoning rules for medical facilities, which exclude only residential areas.

And while Green Relief MD is the only company to make a presentation 
to the council and is interested in Stone Mill Place, it is 
apparently not the only company eyeing Sanford for a dispensary.

Former councilor Maura Herlihy said that could be a problem.

"If you take away the moratorium, you open it up not only to (Stone 
Mill Place) but other areas," she said. Herlihy said she wouldn't 
want to see a dispensary in a place like the former Movie Gallery 
space in the Mid-Town Mall, in the heart of downtown.

Eager said a dispensary in Sanford operated by Green Relief MD would 
be safe and secure with no consumption on the premises and with no 
loitering allowed. Patients would have privacy and medical marijuana 
would be dispensed discreetly, he noted.

Council Chairman Joseph Hanslip said the council has a week or two to 
mull the matter.

"I am supportive of medical marijuana and I think it's a good 
opportunity to locate a business in Sanford. It would be nice to see 
a new business located in the mills but the time frame we have to act 
upon concerns me," said Hanslip this morning. "This is not something 
to rush into.," 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake