Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Although the rollout of the medical cannabis industry in Maryland has faced many challenges, an owner of a local dispensary hopes to open his doors for business in November.
Sajal Roy, one of three owners of the Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary, 100 Beall St., recently gave an update on his business and the industry in a Times-News interview.
He has faced delays due to a lack of approved growers with product available. In addition, he found he needed additional upgrades at the dispensary facility.
"We received word we need a sprinkler system," said Roy. "That pushed us back four weeks. But, we are about done with that, so we are ready to put in the finishing touches. We can button up the ceiling and install carpet and put in doors and countertops. We couldn't do it because they had to test the sprinkler system."
Roy said he intends to ask the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission to inspect his business in mid-September.
"If all goes well with our inspection, we will go online and start operations," said Roy.
The use of cannabis for medical reasons was approved by the Maryland General Assembly in March 2013. The road to bringing the industry online has been a long one, with multiple lawsuits filed over the selection process used by the state commission to award stage one licenses to growers.
"We've been working with (a grower) Green Leaf (Medical) in Frederick," said Roy. "I feel pretty good about it. Green Leaf has been pretty accurate. They assured us product will be available in November. It could be Dec. 1, but we think November."
In addition to Roy, the Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary is owned by Greg Pappas and George Merling.
"Everything is moving in the right direction," said Merling. "It takes time to complete this process. We are looking forward to getting our inspection pretty soon and get started."
In May, ForwardGro, of Anne Arundel County, was the first grower to receive final approval to open. They have been growing mother plants, which are used to establish a strain.
Eight additional growers were approved last week: Freestate Wellness, Howard County; Temescal Wellness, Baltimore City; Curio Wellness, Baltimore County; Harvest of Maryland, Washington County; Holistic, Prince George's County; Grass Roots of Maryland, Carroll County; and HMS and Green Leaf Medical both in Frederick County.
According to commission data, 12,000 people have signed up so far to become eligible for medical marijuana and 400 medical providers have signed up to prescribe the medicine.
"We have 1,000 patients currently registered through our dispensary," said Roy. "About 300 have fully completed the process. The other 700 have not. So we are helping them to register with the state. They come down to my office and we help them. Some don't have the technology needed.
"We also let them know what doctors are available locally," said Roy.
Three to four doctors are currently registered to prescribe, according to Roy, with more likely to sign up once the industry is operational.
Roy said dispensary staff will begin to hold seminars to educate people on the benefits of medical cannabis based on their diagnosis.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Local medical cannabis dispensary hopes for November opening | Local News | times-news.com
Author: Greg Larry
Contact: Contact Us | Site | times-news.com
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: times-news.com
Sajal Roy, one of three owners of the Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary, 100 Beall St., recently gave an update on his business and the industry in a Times-News interview.
He has faced delays due to a lack of approved growers with product available. In addition, he found he needed additional upgrades at the dispensary facility.
"We received word we need a sprinkler system," said Roy. "That pushed us back four weeks. But, we are about done with that, so we are ready to put in the finishing touches. We can button up the ceiling and install carpet and put in doors and countertops. We couldn't do it because they had to test the sprinkler system."
Roy said he intends to ask the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission to inspect his business in mid-September.
"If all goes well with our inspection, we will go online and start operations," said Roy.
The use of cannabis for medical reasons was approved by the Maryland General Assembly in March 2013. The road to bringing the industry online has been a long one, with multiple lawsuits filed over the selection process used by the state commission to award stage one licenses to growers.
"We've been working with (a grower) Green Leaf (Medical) in Frederick," said Roy. "I feel pretty good about it. Green Leaf has been pretty accurate. They assured us product will be available in November. It could be Dec. 1, but we think November."
In addition to Roy, the Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary is owned by Greg Pappas and George Merling.
"Everything is moving in the right direction," said Merling. "It takes time to complete this process. We are looking forward to getting our inspection pretty soon and get started."
In May, ForwardGro, of Anne Arundel County, was the first grower to receive final approval to open. They have been growing mother plants, which are used to establish a strain.
Eight additional growers were approved last week: Freestate Wellness, Howard County; Temescal Wellness, Baltimore City; Curio Wellness, Baltimore County; Harvest of Maryland, Washington County; Holistic, Prince George's County; Grass Roots of Maryland, Carroll County; and HMS and Green Leaf Medical both in Frederick County.
According to commission data, 12,000 people have signed up so far to become eligible for medical marijuana and 400 medical providers have signed up to prescribe the medicine.
"We have 1,000 patients currently registered through our dispensary," said Roy. "About 300 have fully completed the process. The other 700 have not. So we are helping them to register with the state. They come down to my office and we help them. Some don't have the technology needed.
"We also let them know what doctors are available locally," said Roy.
Three to four doctors are currently registered to prescribe, according to Roy, with more likely to sign up once the industry is operational.
Roy said dispensary staff will begin to hold seminars to educate people on the benefits of medical cannabis based on their diagnosis.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Local medical cannabis dispensary hopes for November opening | Local News | times-news.com
Author: Greg Larry
Contact: Contact Us | Site | times-news.com
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: times-news.com
