Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Although it opened its doors to patients on Monday, the New England Treatment Access medical marijuana dispensary made it official Friday with a ceremony that including Mayor David J. Narkewicz.
Narkewicz was originally supposed to cut a giant marijuana brownie in lieu of cutting a ribbon, but this was nixed by NETA in favor of cider donuts. There was also non-medicinal apple cider and coffee.
A slew of city officials, including Police Chief Jodie Kasper and Fire Chief Duane Nichols, were at the event to hear Leslie Laurie, the former director of Family Planning of Western Massachusetts and current NETA administrator, toast Northampton for being progressive.
"By opening this dispensary, Northampton has done it again," Laurie said. "This is a gift given to Northampton. The time has come."
Laurie's former agency runs a needle exchange program across the street from the police station, so Kasper said her department already has experience overseeing such operations. Narkewicz, in his remarks, returned Laurie's compliments.
"It's your professionalism and expertise that brought us to this process," he said.
Michelle Kaskey, a psychiatric nurse who is a patient at NETA, said the dispensary is a reflection on the community's open-mindedness.
"People have been going to the black market," she said. "Now they have another choice."
Charlie Chase hasn't been going to the black market, but he's been driving from Templeton to Salem to get medical marijuana for a host of ailments until this week.
"It's a godsend," he said of the dispensary.
Medical marijuana has enabled Chase to stop taking prescription narcotics for relief from his PTSD and nerve damage, he said.
"I can sleep at night," he said.
Arnon Vered, NETA's executive director, said the dispensary will eventually create more than 100 jobs.
"This is just the beginning," he said. "Medical marijuana is legitimate medicine. It's a safe alternative to opiates."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 'Medical marijuana is ... a safe alternative to opiates'
Author: Fred Contrada
Contact: Email Author
Photo Credit: Emily Maxwell | WCPO
Website: Massachusetts Live News
Narkewicz was originally supposed to cut a giant marijuana brownie in lieu of cutting a ribbon, but this was nixed by NETA in favor of cider donuts. There was also non-medicinal apple cider and coffee.
A slew of city officials, including Police Chief Jodie Kasper and Fire Chief Duane Nichols, were at the event to hear Leslie Laurie, the former director of Family Planning of Western Massachusetts and current NETA administrator, toast Northampton for being progressive.
"By opening this dispensary, Northampton has done it again," Laurie said. "This is a gift given to Northampton. The time has come."
Laurie's former agency runs a needle exchange program across the street from the police station, so Kasper said her department already has experience overseeing such operations. Narkewicz, in his remarks, returned Laurie's compliments.
"It's your professionalism and expertise that brought us to this process," he said.
Michelle Kaskey, a psychiatric nurse who is a patient at NETA, said the dispensary is a reflection on the community's open-mindedness.
"People have been going to the black market," she said. "Now they have another choice."
Charlie Chase hasn't been going to the black market, but he's been driving from Templeton to Salem to get medical marijuana for a host of ailments until this week.
"It's a godsend," he said of the dispensary.
Medical marijuana has enabled Chase to stop taking prescription narcotics for relief from his PTSD and nerve damage, he said.
"I can sleep at night," he said.
Arnon Vered, NETA's executive director, said the dispensary will eventually create more than 100 jobs.
"This is just the beginning," he said. "Medical marijuana is legitimate medicine. It's a safe alternative to opiates."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 'Medical marijuana is ... a safe alternative to opiates'
Author: Fred Contrada
Contact: Email Author
Photo Credit: Emily Maxwell | WCPO
Website: Massachusetts Live News
