Pubdate: Thu, 25 Aug 2016
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2016 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: Astead W. Herndon

NO CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR ALLSTON MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

Following the lead of Allston-Brighton's district councilor, Mark 
Ciommo, the Boston City Council opted to not endorse a locally run 
company's bid to open a medical marijuana dispensary in the Allston 
neighborhood.

The voice vote - which appeared to be unanimous - came Wednesday at 
the weekly City Council meeting, two days after Ciommo held a 
contentious public hearing with the local company, Compassionate 
Organics. Ciommo favors another medical marijuana group for Allston, 
an out-of-state company named Mayflower Medicinals.

At Wednesday's council meeting, legislators did approve a letter of 
non-opposition for a different medical marijuana dispensary in a 
vacant space near McClellan Highway in East Boston. With the support 
of the council, Happy Valley Ventures can forge ahead to other 
state-mandated hurdles, which include obtaining a registration 
certificate from the Department of Public Health and paying a $50,000 fee.

Before the vote on the Allston dispensary, Ciommo urged his fellow 
councilors to not support the bid from Compassionate Organics because 
of outstanding zoning complications, a lack of experience from 
executives, and misrepresentations of support that were once listed 
in their proposal.

"Being a locally run business is not the same as being a well-run 
business," Ciommo said during the council meeting. "In good faith, I 
cannot vote to offer a letter of non-opposition to Compassionate 
Organics while serving the best interests of the community that I 
have been elected to represent."

Two dispensaries are trying to open in Allston, one with the backing 
of the community and one with the support of a city councilor.

The vote is a crushing blow for Compassionate Organics and business 
owner Geoffrey Reilinger, the company's founder and chief executive. 
Reilinger has sparred with Ciommo on the issue for nearly four years 
and has accused the councilor of being unduly influenced by Mayflower 
Medicinals lobbyists.

Frank Perullo, a lobbyist for Mayflower Medicinals, is Ciommo's close 
friend and political consultant. Though the company is run by 
out-of-state executives, it maintains a State Street address.

"It's unfortunate and disappointing," Reilinger said of the council's 
decision to not support Compassionate Organics.

Yet given the tone of this week's public hearing, the council's 
decision was not surprising.

At that meeting earlier this week, Reilinger faced steep criticism 
from councilors as he tried to give his final pitch on why they 
should support Compassionate Organics' bid to bring "a safe and 
professional" dispensary to the neighborhood.

After the meeting, in which Ciommo in particular grilled the 
executive, Compassionate Organics hand-delivered a set of letters to 
city councilors as a last-ditch effort to gain support.

"We have been a local group from day one and we understand the local 
issues and concerns," the letter said. "We will continue to operate 
as a responsible and committed member of the Allston community. We 
urge you to consider all of the facts and the support of the 
community of Allston."

In an explanation posted on his campaign website, Ciommo gave nine 
reasons to not support Compassionate Organics, including tasteless 
advertising, buffer law violations, and questionable practices to 
discredit competitors.

Ciommo has long contended that Reilinger has repeatedly 
misrepresented facts on his application, and Reilinger admitted that 
he wrongly claimed to have received support from law enforcement 
officials, including Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins.

Ciommo has also cited an April decision by the Boston Public Health 
Commission in not supporting Reilinger's company.

In that decision, the commission said Reilinger's proposed site was 
within 500 feet of a martial arts facility that offers youth 
programming, which city regulations would forbid.

Mayflower Medicinals proposed site, 230 Harvard Ave., has not faced 
the same criticism from the health commission.

When reached by phone after the council vote, Reilinger said the 
company was going to reevaluate its business plan and "take a step back."

Wednesday's City Hall meeting also showed how quickly the council 
could support a proposed medical marijuana dispensary when a 
company's application has the support of the local district councilor.

Councilor Salvatore LaMattina called the proposed location of a 
medical marijuana dispensary in East Boston "perfect" and urged his 
colleagues to support the new business, which is to be located at 220 
McClellan Highway.

After his speech of support, the council approved a letter of 
non-opposition, paving the way for the business to move forward.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom