Dispensaries here will be modeled after California's finest, but with tighter regulations to avoid excess and abuse. BERKELEY, Calif. - It's 9 a.m. and as soon as the uniformed guard pulls open the black iron gate in front of the Berkeley Patients Group, a small line forms inside the city's oldest and busiest marijuana dispensary. Sara Romano leans over a glass case and checks out the day's selection. She lifts a couple of samples to her nose and sniffs before handing over $300 cash for an ounce of Space Queen, a favorite remedy for anxiety and depression, she says. [continues 1467 words]
Maine has so far licensed six medical marijuana dispensaries. Five of them have direct connections to California's cannabis industry. Some state officials are welcoming the experience and resources from the West Coast. The new arrivals should help Maine's experiment with dispensaries get off to a smooth start, they say. Others, however, fear the California connections are a troubling way to begin. Most of the concerns focus on Northeast Patients Group, which was granted the licenses to open dispensaries in or near Portland, Augusta, Thomaston and Bangor. Northeast is an offshoot of Berkeley Patients Group in Berkeley, Calif., one of the oldest and most successful dispensaries in that state. [continues 747 words]
A different culture is in play out West BERKELEY, Calif. -- It's 9 a.m. and as soon as the uniformed guard pulls open the black iron gate in front of the Berkeley Patients Group, a small line forms inside the city's oldest and busiest marijuana dispensary. Sara Romano leans over a glass case and checks out the day's selection. She lifts a couple of samples to her nose and sniffs before handing over $300 cash for an ounce of Space Queen, a favorite remedy for anxiety and depression, she says. [continues 1641 words]
AUGUSTA -- Rebecca DeKeuster doesn't act like a woman who has just cornered much of Maine's medical marijuana market. The former high school English teacher is criss-crossing the state behind the wheel of a 1997 Chevy Cavalier. Her husband towed it from California behind a U-Haul moving truck, she said. And when she finally pauses for a face-to-face newspaper interview, DeKeuster suggests the Augusta House of Pancakes, a favorite breakfast spot in her newly adopted hometown. [continues 437 words]
Medical Marijuana Culture In California Could Serve As Example For States Like Maine BERKELEY, Calif. -- It's 9 a.m. and as soon as the uniformed guard pulls open the black iron gate in front of the Berkeley Patients Group, a small line forms inside the city's oldest and busiest marijuana dispensary. Sara Romano leans over a glass case and checks out the day's selection. She lifts a couple of samples to her nose and sniffs before handing over $300 cash for an ounce of Space Queen, a favorite remedy for anxiety and depression, she says. [continues 1641 words]
Recently, I found out from a friend that a medical marijuana warehouse may be located in the town of Poland. My friend stated that she had asked Poland's town manager if that was true and he told her that it was, and that there had been no public outcry about it. Why were the taxpayers of Poland never asked if we wanted this in our town? Many residents voted against this at the polls, and now our tax dollars are supposed to be used to police this thing? [continues 133 words]
This letter is in reference to Alan Williams' letter of Aug. 1. I don't think Alan Williams (letter, Aug. 1) has thought out the issue of medical marijuana thoroughly. Because if he had, he wouldn't be so rough on those who smoke marijuana for health reasons. Yes, there are those who do it for fun. There are also those who smoke cigarettes for fun. Has he talked to them and found out that when they quit for a day or two and light up again, how they get a short high when they restart? On the downside, all smoking leads to cancer and how many other diseases, we can only guess. How many other drugs have ill side effects? I agree with him - legalize it. Paul A. Fletcher Augusta [end]
AUGUSTA -- Residents blasted a proposal to expand the city's medical district to their neighborhood, a change that could allow a medical marijuana dispensary to locate at a north Augusta location. However, Planning Board members warned, without a zone change, zoning in the area in question already allows uses much more intensive than a medical marijuana dispensary would likely be. Meanwhile, the director of Northeast Patients Group, who wants to open a dispensary at a 10 Middle Road property which, for now, is part of the proposed expanded zone, said the facility would be safe and secure and provide suffering patients much-needed relief by giving them access to medical marijuana. [continues 485 words]
Planners Postpone Review Of Proposal Until Next Meeting AUGUSTA - Residents blasted a proposal to expand the city's medical district to their neighborhood, a change that could allow a medical marijuana dispensary to locate at a north Augusta location. However, Planning Board members warned, without a zone change, zoning in the area in question already allows uses much more intensive than a medical marijuana dispensary would likely be. Meanwhile, the director of Northeast Patients Group, who wants to open a dispensary at a 10 Middle Road property which, for now, is part of the proposed expanded zone, said the facility would be safe and secure and provide suffering patients much-needed relief by giving them access to medical marijuana. [continues 484 words]
Wary council grapples with pot center site BANGOR, Maine -- A California-based group that recently was awarded the license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties would like to locate the facility in Bangor, the region's service center. The only question is where. Members of the City Council on Monday heard from representatives of Northeast Patients Group -- which will operate four dispensaries across the state -- as councilors wrested with proposed ordinance changes that would accommodate such facilities. [continues 455 words]
BREWER, Maine - Before city leaders voted Tuesday about whether to impose a marijuana cultivation moratorium, Councilor Joseph Ferris said he saw no reason to ban the growing of medicinal pot. "I think it's development, it's growth," he said. "I don't think we need to ban cultivation." The city already has a moratorium on medical marijuana clinics in place that expires at the end of the year. There is a big difference between pot clinics and facilities that grow the drug for distribution, Ferris said. [continues 414 words]
LISBON - The Town Council is considering enacting a moratorium ordinance on medical marijuana dispensaries after a Vienna couple expressed interest in location one here. Town Manager Steve Eldridge said the town received an informational packet from Tim and Jennifer Smale of Vienna, doing business as Remedy Compassion Center. The couple indicated an interest in locating a medical marijuana dispensary on Route 196 in Lisbon Village, he said. He declined to specify the exact location, saying there was no application. The Smales have been licensed to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Wilton and are looking at locations in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. The company has sent similar information packets to Auburn and Poland. [continues 152 words]
KENNEBUNK -- The Board of Selectmen will discuss a possible moratorium on marijuana dispensaries at an Aug. 10 meeting. Speaking at an Aug. 3 selectmen special meeting, Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said he had received two inquiries from two separate companies asking if the town had an ordinance governing marijuana dispensaries. The issue of medical marijuana dispensaries was raised last fall when residents in the state voted to allow a loosening of the laws governing the dispensaries. As a result, the state Legislature created eight health-care districts and said it will approve a dispensary for each district. [continues 370 words]
Moratorium To Last At Least Six Months WATERVILLE -- There will be no medical marijuana dispensary in the city, at least not this year. City councilors on Tuesday voted unanimously to place a moratorium on considering applications for dispensaries and permits for at least six months. Councilors said they want to explore what areas of the city might be appropriate for dispensaries and related facilities such as storage or cultivation sites. They said they also want to ensure that the city has proper regulations in place. [continues 372 words]
The Deliverance Center Program Doesn't Rule Out The Preferred Portland Site, State Officials Say. PORTLAND - State officials have told the Northeast Patients Group that it can open Portland's first medical marijuana dispensary at the group's preferred location, near the corner of Congress and St. John streets. Whether the state-licensed nonprofit group will ultimately operate there remains to be seen. The former Key Bank building at 959 Congress St. was called into question as a site for a dispensary because of its proximity to the Deliverance Center, which operates a church and a small private school. State law says no dispensary can be within 500 feet of a school. [continues 194 words]
PORTLAND -- State officials have told the Northeast Patients Group that it can open Portland's first medical marijuana dispensary at the group's preferred location, near the corner of Congress and St. John streets. Whether the state-licensed nonprofit group ultimately will operate there remains to be seen. The former Key Bank building at 959 Congress St. was called into question as a site for a dispensary because of its proximity to the Deliverance Center, which operates a church and a small private school. State law says no dispensary can be within 500 feet of a school. [continues 194 words]
Council Approves Dispensary Moratorium, Votes To Form Committee Exploring Needs Of Police WATERVILLE -- There will be no medical marijuana dispensary in the city, at least not this year. City councilors on Tuesday voted unanimously to place a moratorium on considering applications for dispensaries and permits for at least six months. Councilors said they want to explore what areas of the city might be appropriate for dispensaries and related facilities such as storage or cultivation sites. They said they also want to ensure that the city has proper regulations in place. [continues 599 words]
WILTON - Now that the Remedy Compassion Center has gained state license approval as a medical marijuana dispensary, Timothy and Jennifer Smale are looking at several options for a location. Wilton is not necessarily "off the table" as the couple look at a possible lease of space there but they are also considering alternative locations, Tim Smale said Monday from his Vienna home. The Smales were given licensing for one of eight districts in Maine. The local district covers Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties. [continues 309 words]
WATERVILLE -- City councilors tonight will decide whether to place a 6-month moratorium on considering applications for marijuana-related facilities in the city. Councilors on July 20 voted 7-0 to place a moratorium on accepting applications and issuing permits for marijuana-related facilities, including dispensaries, cultivation operations and storage buildings. Councilors are required to take two more votes and are expected to do so tonight, according to City Manager Michael Roy. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at The Center downtown. [continues 505 words]
Inside Maine
