Wareham, MA Health Board On Medical Marijuana Dispensary: Not So Fast

[Robert Celt]

A marijuana medical dispensary in Wareham may not be a done deal after all.

The Wareham Board of Health voted Wednesday to seek an audience soon with the town's Board of Selectmen to discuss grave concerns its members have about a marijuana dispensary scheduled to open in the community later this year. Board of Health members intend to request placement on the agenda of a Selectmen's meeting in the near future to express their doubts about the Wareham facility to be operated by Brighton-based Compassionate Care.

Board members Amy Wiegandt, Catherine Phinney and Glenn Monteiro all voted Wednesday to discuss the matter with Selectmen after a representative of a substance abuse program questioned the veracity of certain information provided to the board by two Compassionate Care representatives at its Feb. 3 meeting. Jessica Koelsch, listed as Technical Assistance Provider with Waltham-based Mass Technical Assistance Partnership for Prevention, claimed the Compassionate Care advocates supplied incorrect information to the board at that meeting, especially regarding the process through which patients become eligible to be prescribed marijuana products for medical conditions.

For example, Koelsch said Canna Care Docs — which, according to its website (Medical Marijuana - Canna Care Docs), "qualifies patients into medical marijuana programs in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Delaware and the District of Columbia" — reputedly accelerates the qualifying process for patients, in contrast to claims made to the board Feb. 3 by Compassionate Care employees. Canna Care Docs presently operates facilities in this state in Worcester, Seekonk, Peabody, Brockton, Fall River and Waltham and, according to its website, "specializes in administering medical marijuana evaluations, medical marijuana certifications and written medical marijuana recommendations from our board-certified and licensed medial (sic) professionals."

Koelsch also disputed other contentions aired at the Feb. 3 meeting, and questioned the rigor by which Compassionate Care will screen potential clients. Wiegandt and Phinney, who were both openly dubious during that meeting, supported Koelsch's assertions Wednesday, with Wiegandt accusing Compassionate Care representatives of "not being educated" about their business.

Wiegandt and Phinney also suggested the Wareham dispensary not be allowed to operate until all concerns of the board were properly addressed. They also raised the question of whether the Board of Health has the legal authority to block its opening.

Selectmen approved Compassionate Care's request to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Wareham late last year and the company has located a suitable facility for its operations on Main Street near Tobey Hospital. Its representatives said at the Feb. 3 meeting that the Wareham facility is scheduled to open "within the next six months."

News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Wareham, MA Health Board On Medical Marijuana Dispensary: Not So Fast
Author: Chris Shott
Contact: Wicked Local Wareham
Photo Credit: Timothy Norris
Website: Wicked Local Wareham

 

[Radogast]

Board members Amy Wiegandt, Catherine Phinney and Glenn Monteiro all voted Wednesday to discuss the matter with Selectmen after a representative of a substance abuse program questioned the veracity of certain information provided to the board by two Compassionate Care representatives at its Feb. 3 meeting. Jessica Koelsch, listed as Technical Assistance Provider with Waltham-based Mass Technical Assistance Partnership for Prevention, claimed the Compassionate Care advocates supplied incorrect information to the board at that meeting, especially regarding the process through which patients become eligible to be prescribed marijuana products for medical conditions.

So a person who makes their money off of substance abusers, Jessica Koelsch, hates Canna Care Docs because they are actual doctors.

For example, Koelsch said Canna Care Docs – which, according to its website (Medical Marijuana - Canna Care Docs), “qualifies patients into medical marijuana programs in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Delaware and the District of Columbia” – reputedly accelerates the qualifying process for patients, in contrast to claims made to the board Feb. 3 by Compassionate Care employees. Canna Care Docs presently operates facilities in this state in Worcester, Seekonk, Peabody, Brockton, Fall River and Waltham and, according to its website, “specializes in administering medical marijuana evaluations, medical marijuana certifications and written medical marijuana recommendations from our board-certified and licensed medial (sic) professionals.”

She claims Canna Care Docs quickly and efficiently qualifies patients - whch has no relevance to Compassionate Care company.

Koelsch also disputed other contentions aired at the Feb. 3 meeting, and questioned the rigor by which Compassionate Care will screen potential clients.

And in the only actual statement against the dispensary, claims Compassionate Care won't rigorously screen potential clients - which is patently stupid since the legally defined screening process for a dispensary in Massacusetts is .... wait for it ... check the Medical Marijuana cards of people before you let them into the sales area. -

After The Wareham Board of Health displayed their ignorance of the law and the role of a dispensary, they allowed themselves to be duped by their current business partners --oops - regulated business, and end with the hubris of ...

Wiegandt accusing Compassionate Care representatives of “not being educated” about their business.