Pot Businesses Popping Up In MetroWest

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Companies continue scrambling to capitalize on Massachusetts voters' decision this month to legalize medical marijuana - even before the state rolls out industry regulations.

In MetroWest, an Arizona businessman is already set to offer a biometric dispensing system out of a Natick office, and now a California-based firm is ready to open a consultation center in Framingham to "approve" patients for the drug.

"You've got a guy who is opening up a business here way before any of the regulations are in place," Framingham Board of Health Chairman Mike Hugo said. "I don't understand the rationale for doing it so soon."

CannaMed regional manager Richard Tav said his company aims to open a medical marijuana clinic at 945 Concord St. in December, in advance of the law taking effect.

Dr. Raymond Kevin Ryan, a neurosurgeon who owns his own practice in Marblehead, is set to run the Framingham location. Patients will bring in their medical records and receive a full physical, then, if they qualify, receive a "recommendation" for marijuana to take to a dispensary, Tav said.

Patients pay a $199 yearly fee, and must return within 12 months for a follow-up, he said.

Tav, who grew up in Newton, said CannaMed hopes to expand to Newton Centre and Needham. The company has other locations in California and Hawaii.

"I think that Framingham is a good center spot," Tav said.

He said the company was set to sign a one-year lease Friday for offices in the two-story Framingham business center on Rte. 126, just north of Rte. 30.

Many communities are exploring zoning bylaws or other regulations.

Hugo said he hopes the state Department of Public Health builds into the medical marijuana regulations a way for communities to have some jurisdiction over facilities.

"I think that first of all," he said, "the regulation is going to come from the state."

Up to 35 medical pot shops can be permitted in the state next year, under the law voters passed, with between one and five in each county.

"We're hearing a whole lot of speculation," Framingham Town Manager Robert Halpin said, "about communities being allowed to opt out."

Tav said his company cannot work with dispensaries, and its doctors won't automatically grant patients the OK to smoke dope.

"Recommendation" letters will come with high-quality photo ID cards, he said.

"We have high hopes and high standards," he said, "and we're hoping to help a lot of potential patients."

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News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: metrowestdailynews.com
Author: Danielle Ameden
Contact: The MetroWest Daily News Contact Us
Website: Pot businesses popping up in MetroWest - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News
 
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