Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jan 2015
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2015 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Felice J. Freyer

MASS. APPROVES FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY, CULTIVATOR

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Wednesday selected 
the first company allowed to grow marijuana for medical use, a 
milestone in the troubled effort to carry out the state's 2012 
medical marijuana law.

Alternative Therapies Group Inc. received permission to operate a 
dispensary at 50 Grove St., Salem, and a cultivation site at 10 
Industrial Way, Amesbury.

But the sale of medical marijuana is still months away. The seeds 
need at least three months to grow. Then, ATG will face further 
review, including tests of the plants and inspections of the 
company's transportation plans.

"This is an exciting first step," said Nichole Snow, deputy director 
of Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, which supports access to 
medical marijuana. "I am overwhelmed with joy. . . . It means that 
myself as a patient and other patients will have safe access to their 
much-needed medication."

Snow, who lives in Salem, said she needed marijuana to treat muscle 
spasms and pain resulting from injuries she suffered in multiple car accidents.

The dispensary licensing process has been delayed after questions 
arose about the work of companies hired to review the 100 applicants.

One contractor acknowledged that it was pressed for time while 
scrutinizing some applications. Another, hired to perform background 
checks, failed to discover that a couple in line to run several 
proposed dispensaries had lost their marijuana license in Colorado 
because of violations.

When the public health department initially chose 20 applicants in 
late January, the applications revealed that some employed 
politicians, lobbyists, and former health department employees, 
raising questions about conflicts of interest.

Faced with more than two dozen lawsuits over the process, the health 
department put selection on hold. Wednesday's announcement indicates 
the state is now moving forward.

"Providing safe patient access is a priority . . . and we are proud 
to take this important step forward," Health and Human Services 
Secretary John Polanowicz said in a statement. "Selecting 
dispensaries that meet our high standards takes time, but ensuring a 
launch of this new industry the right way for the people of 
Massachusetts is a top priority."

State inspectors visited ATG's site and reviewed its floor plans, 
security, and cultivation operations, according to the health department'.

"Over the past two years, we have undertaken a comprehensive process 
to ensure the highest standards of public safety and patient access 
are met," said Karen van Unen, executive director of the Medical 
Marijuana Program. "We are looking forward to continued progress as 
more dispensaries are approved over the coming months."

Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said that ATG representatives "went 
out of their way to meet with neighbors, officials, and others in 
Salem, to introduce themselves and explain what they will be doing. . 
. . Salem has long been a progressive, forward-thinking, and 
open-minded community, and we look forward to ATG starting operation 
and providing yet another critical medical choice to patients for the 
entire North Shore."

Amesbury Mayor Ken Gray also welcomed ATG. "I look forward to seeing 
ATG develop as a positive contributor to the Amesbury community," he 
said in a statement.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom