Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 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: Laurel J. Sweet

DPH NARROWS POT-DISPENSARY FIELD

The Department of Public Health reported yesterday 158 of the 181 
applicants vying to open 35 medicinal pot dispensaries across the 
state have advanced to the next phase of the competition.

Though the rejected applications "were denied for a wide variety of 
reasons," DPH said 22 were eliminated based, in part, on their lack 
of nonprofit status or financial viability, while one applicant 
simply withdrew.

"This is a very competitive process, and we required applicants to 
meet high standards to advance," DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett 
said. "We are fortunate that Massachusetts has a large field of 
serious applicants who are capable of making a significant investment 
to benefit qualified patients and safeguard communities.

"While no decision to deny an applicant was taken lightly," she said, 
"we wanted to ensure that those who advance could demonstrate the 
ability to operate a successful nonprofit Registered Marijuana Dispensary."

The next step will involve a selection committee evaluating and 
scoring applicants based on such factors as ability to meet the 
health needs of registered patients, appropriateness of the desired 
dispensary site, geographical distribution of dispensaries, local 
support and ensuring public safety.

In the first year of legalized medicinal marijuana operations, each 
of the state's 14 counties must have at least one, but no more than 
five, dispensaries.

Of the original 181, three of Suffolk County's 22 applications were 
rejected, DPH said. Of Middlesex County's 45 applications, five were 
rejected. All of Norfolk County's 12 applications were approved. Two 
of Essex County's 18 applications were rejected. Four of Plymouth 
County's 16 applications were denied.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom