Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A former "Wolf of Wall Street" has his eyes on another pot of gold.
Dean Petkanas' new company is among the 43 entities vying for one of five lucrative medical-marijuana licenses in New York state - an eclectic group that includes a hospital group whose boss previously worked for an ex-governor, and two nursing-home operators who run a facility at the center of a recent scandal.
"Now it's a waiting game," said Petkanas, who worked for three years at Stratton Oakmont, the pump-and-dump brokerage featured in the 2013 Martin Scorsese-directed film.
He now heads Long Island-based medical-marijuana company Kanna-Life Sciences, which is eying 700 acres in Buffalo for a "green" grow site.
"If we do [get the license], great. If we don't, we're still there for the state of New York," added Petkanas.
Also applying are Leo Friedman and Michael Melnicke, who operate the Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Far Rockaway - where three nurses were busted last month for abusing a bleeding patient.
The pair, who together have given a total of $16,000 to Gov. Cuomo's campaign, are part of NY Growing Partners LLC.
The company has also hired the public-relations firm of Zimmerman/Edelson - whose co-founder, Robert Zimmerman, was appointed by Gov. Cuomo to his Spending and Government Efficiency Commission.
Unlike some of the other bidders, the business has kept its plans relatively under wraps - and has yet to submit a formal proposal. But it does have its sights set on a 12-acre property in Saugerties, according to The Daily Freeman.
"They're waiting on word from the state before anything moves forward," a spokesman said.
And a major hospital group, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, also has its eye on the action, teaming with Colorado-based Sil-ver-peak Apothecary to apply for a license.
The hospital has political connections through president and CEO Michael Dowling, who served seven years as state director of Health, Education and Human Services and as deputy secretary to former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
Spokesman Terry Lynam said its operation would be up and running by January 2016.
"Silverpeak NY LLC has identified locations for both a cultivation site and dispensaries," Lynam said. "We fully anticipate licenses will be awarded based on merit and the strength of the applications."
License winners could be announced as early as this week. All of the applicants had to fork over a nonrefundable application fee of $10,000 and a registration fee of $200,000, the latter of which will be returned to those who don't make the final cut.
Patients will be able to get the drug legally beginning January, when the state's program officially begins.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Former ?Wolf of Wall Street? vying for state medical marijuana deal | New York Post
Author: Danika Fears
Contact: tips@nypost.com
Photo Credit: Reuters
Website: New York Post
Dean Petkanas' new company is among the 43 entities vying for one of five lucrative medical-marijuana licenses in New York state - an eclectic group that includes a hospital group whose boss previously worked for an ex-governor, and two nursing-home operators who run a facility at the center of a recent scandal.
"Now it's a waiting game," said Petkanas, who worked for three years at Stratton Oakmont, the pump-and-dump brokerage featured in the 2013 Martin Scorsese-directed film.
He now heads Long Island-based medical-marijuana company Kanna-Life Sciences, which is eying 700 acres in Buffalo for a "green" grow site.
"If we do [get the license], great. If we don't, we're still there for the state of New York," added Petkanas.
Also applying are Leo Friedman and Michael Melnicke, who operate the Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Far Rockaway - where three nurses were busted last month for abusing a bleeding patient.
The pair, who together have given a total of $16,000 to Gov. Cuomo's campaign, are part of NY Growing Partners LLC.
The company has also hired the public-relations firm of Zimmerman/Edelson - whose co-founder, Robert Zimmerman, was appointed by Gov. Cuomo to his Spending and Government Efficiency Commission.
Unlike some of the other bidders, the business has kept its plans relatively under wraps - and has yet to submit a formal proposal. But it does have its sights set on a 12-acre property in Saugerties, according to The Daily Freeman.
"They're waiting on word from the state before anything moves forward," a spokesman said.
And a major hospital group, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, also has its eye on the action, teaming with Colorado-based Sil-ver-peak Apothecary to apply for a license.
The hospital has political connections through president and CEO Michael Dowling, who served seven years as state director of Health, Education and Human Services and as deputy secretary to former Gov. Mario Cuomo.
Spokesman Terry Lynam said its operation would be up and running by January 2016.
"Silverpeak NY LLC has identified locations for both a cultivation site and dispensaries," Lynam said. "We fully anticipate licenses will be awarded based on merit and the strength of the applications."
License winners could be announced as early as this week. All of the applicants had to fork over a nonrefundable application fee of $10,000 and a registration fee of $200,000, the latter of which will be returned to those who don't make the final cut.
Patients will be able to get the drug legally beginning January, when the state's program officially begins.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Former ?Wolf of Wall Street? vying for state medical marijuana deal | New York Post
Author: Danika Fears
Contact: tips@nypost.com
Photo Credit: Reuters
Website: New York Post
