As controversy continues to cloud the new medical marijuana industry in Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health has created an infographic in hopes of better conveying the dispensary application process that many are calling into question.
After just 20 out of the allotted 35 licenses were levied by the DPH, it quickly became known that some of the applications were falsified in order for some candidates to better their chances of obtaining a coveted certification. DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett’s relationship with former Massachusetts Congressman William Delahunt was also considered by some to be a conflict of interest as Bartlett once donated money to Delahunt’s campaign. He was subsequently awarded three licenses.
Governor Deval Patrick, though, thinks the entire processes has been “transparent” and “terrific.”
The new infographic shows how the DPH intends to move forward despite any contentiousness, claiming that in March it will “meet with all applicants with provisional approval for a Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD) to determine the validity of each statement made by the applicants.” Should it be determined that statements are invalid, they will be subjected to charges of perjury.
The next step will be for applicants to meet with municipalities to confirm the site on which they intend to set up shop. For the two applicants looking to plant seeds in Boston, this could be something of a struggle. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s administration has told BostInno on multiple occasions that he is staunchly against any form of sale of marijuana, whether for medicinal purposes or recreational in years to come.
Simiarly, Boston City Council President Bill Linehan called for a municipal-level review of the process in early February.
If all goes according to the DPH’s plan, sometime during the spring of 2014 they will conduct a series of inspections to determine compliance with state and city regulations in order for final certifications of registration to be doled out. This summer, those given the ultimate ‘okay’ will be allowed to open under continuous DPH oversight, which includes annual license renewal, spot checks, and random audits.
