Increased interest in pot dispensaries

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Public Health officials are crafting medical marijuana regulations to deal with the state's new law.   

By May 1st, or 120 days after the passing of the law, the Department of Public Health is expected to release regulations and conditions that will govern 35 medical marijuana treatment centers in the state of Massachusetts.
 
The regulations follow a landmark vote on November 6, 2012, when by a 2-1 margin, Massachusetts voters approved the use of medical marijuana.
 
“We finally passed a law legalizing marijuana and creating community options because the threat to our state is no worse than a bottle of Johnny Walker,” said Bill Wolf of Amherst. 

The law also calls for 35 medical marijuana treatment centers across the state's 14 counties, at least one but no more than five in every county.  One of the biggest concerns is how the production and sale of the drug will be regulated.

The Department of Public Health will oversee the operations of these dispensaries.  But the business will be classified as a non-profit organization, meaning they won't pay some taxes.  And anyone with a DPH issued registration card can buy up to a 60-day-supply.

“Certainly they will be paying their employees, they will be paying payroll taxes, their employees will be paying income taxes. My phone's been ringing off the hook since the election with people looking to apply for dispensary licenses,” said Northampton Attorney Dick Evans.  

Employees must also register with the DPH, be at least 21 years old and have no felony drug convictions.  Evans says the law brings an entire industry out of the shadows. Others believe it will relieve a taxpayer burden.
 
“A lot of law enforcement think it's a real drain on energies to enforce what they feel is something unenforceable,” said former school administrator Al Sprague in Amherst on Friday.

Qualifying patients, those with debilitating medical conditions like cancer or multiple sclerosis, would be eligible to register.  Registered caregivers and medical providers are also protected from prosecution.  Retired nurse Joyce Koenig says there are benefits to the drug.
 
“It's a wonderful reliever of anxiety and also pain. And when the anxiety is relieved so is the pain,” said Koenig.  
Some feel it gives the sick a safe place to go. “I've heard from other people that there is marijuana that gets laced with things so you really need to know what you are getting,” said Karin O’Brien.
 
But longtime Amherst resident Sally Houck is still not convinced. She voted "NO" on the measure but says given the growing acceptance, her beliefs are slowly evolving.
 
“If it's effective for whatever the condition may be, maybe it's ok? How I would feel about it being in my neighborhood. I'm not sure,” said Houck inside Kelly’s Restaurant Friday morning. 

The production, sale and use of marijuana is still considered illegal under federal law.  Some eastern Massachusetts towns have started drafting zoning bylaws, hoping to keep dispensaries away from downtown areas and schools.