Pubdate: Sat, 03 Aug 2013
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2013 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.
Author: Gary J. Remal

HIGH COST STALLS MEDICINAL POT SPECULATORS

The starting gate flew open yesterday in the race to claim the Bay 
State's planned 35 medicinal marijuana outlets, with a sprint to the 
Aug. 22 finish line promising a multi-milliondollar prize.

But small-business people like Tewksbury's Robert O'Hearn say they 
have been nudged out of the process because of the big bucks state 
officials are demanding long before applicants know if they'll be selected.

"I'm out," said O'Hearn, who owns a small construction company. "The 
state made it impossible for a regular person ... It's a big risk, 
too big for any normal person to get involved."

The Department of Public Health yesterday said application forms for 
marijuana dispensaries are available online and are due Aug. 22.

The state is requiring $30,000 from finalists, then a $50,000 annual 
fee if chosen, as well as a requirement to have $500,000 on hand. 
Only big corporations or wealthy individuals could afford that, 
O'Hearn said, particularly with the risk that the feds might swoop in 
claiming violation of drug

NEXT BIG THING

laws and seize assets as they have in other states.

James E. Smith, a Boston lawyer and lobbyist who represents several 
marijuana dispensary applicants, said the department properly 
recognized that medicinal marijuana distribution is a part of the 
state's medical system.

"It's a medical industry. It's a very serious business. It's a 
business that requires millions of dollars, literally, to properly 
get it done," said Smith. "It's very tough to be a ' ma and pa' in 
this industry ... It's not a cupcake stand that can be opened and DPH 
has put together a serious process to reflect that."

DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett defended the high cost to apply.

"The application and patient registration fees that DPH has put into 
place are in line with other states and will be affordable to 
patients," said Bartlett. "At the same time, dispensaries will be 
required to pay their fair share to support this program, so we do 
not rely on taxpayer resources."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom