Portland Pot Dispensary Causes Controversy - Health News Story - WMTW Portland
Portland Pot Dispensary Causes Controversy - Health News Story - WMTW Portland
Just days after state health officials announced where Maine's first medical marijuana dispensaries would go, the site of one dispensary is causing quite a stir.
The Northeast Patients Group hopes to convert a building on the corner of Saint John and Congress streets, but some of its neighbors have mixed reaction about this shop.
The busy intersection has several businesses near it, as well as a bus stop. It's also close to the sheriff's office.
That's why the nonprofit group cited the building at 959 Congress St. as a prime spot for the dispensary.
The state requires all dispensaries to be more than 500 feet away from a school, but there's no rule when it comes to churches or day cares.
Regardless, the thought of a medical marijuana dispensary across the street is something the Deliverance Center is not too happy about -- especially because the church runs a drug recovery program.
"We are definitely against marijuana. We've had years of experience of what it does to people's lives. Great men, men of wealth have been completely stripped by it," Deliverance Center Rev. Stephen Reynolds said.
The Northeast Patients Group said they have not decided on a final location.
"Wherever we locate, our intention is to follow the guidelines set forth by the state and city and to work with our neighbors to identify the best site possible," spokeswoman Becky Dekeuster said.
The group is considering other buildings in the greater Portland area, including a site off Preble Street.
While one church may be fighting its potential neighbor, another's embracing it. "It doesn't matter. A kid can't just walk in and get in it anyway. It's dispensary, like a methadone clinic, why would it be a problem?" Holy Spirit Church Rev. James King said.
The nonprofit said it does not know when it will make a final decision on the location.
The Northeast Patients Group is working with the Portland City Council to figure out which areas will best suit the community.
State officials announced where the six dispensaries would go on Friday.
The Northeast Patients Group is heading up dispensaries in four of the state's public health districts.
The Department of Health and Human Services was unable to green light a dispensary for the two health districts that cover York, as well as Washington and Hancock counties, because the applicants in those districts didn't meet enough of the qualifications.
The department has set an Aug. 20 deadline for new applications for the dispensaries there.
Just days after state health officials announced where Maine's first medical marijuana dispensaries would go, the site of one dispensary is causing quite a stir.
The Northeast Patients Group hopes to convert a building on the corner of Saint John and Congress streets, but some of its neighbors have mixed reaction about this shop.
The busy intersection has several businesses near it, as well as a bus stop. It's also close to the sheriff's office.
That's why the nonprofit group cited the building at 959 Congress St. as a prime spot for the dispensary.
The state requires all dispensaries to be more than 500 feet away from a school, but there's no rule when it comes to churches or day cares.
Regardless, the thought of a medical marijuana dispensary across the street is something the Deliverance Center is not too happy about -- especially because the church runs a drug recovery program.
"We are definitely against marijuana. We've had years of experience of what it does to people's lives. Great men, men of wealth have been completely stripped by it," Deliverance Center Rev. Stephen Reynolds said.
The Northeast Patients Group said they have not decided on a final location.
"Wherever we locate, our intention is to follow the guidelines set forth by the state and city and to work with our neighbors to identify the best site possible," spokeswoman Becky Dekeuster said.
The group is considering other buildings in the greater Portland area, including a site off Preble Street.
While one church may be fighting its potential neighbor, another's embracing it. "It doesn't matter. A kid can't just walk in and get in it anyway. It's dispensary, like a methadone clinic, why would it be a problem?" Holy Spirit Church Rev. James King said.
The nonprofit said it does not know when it will make a final decision on the location.
The Northeast Patients Group is working with the Portland City Council to figure out which areas will best suit the community.
State officials announced where the six dispensaries would go on Friday.
The Northeast Patients Group is heading up dispensaries in four of the state's public health districts.
The Department of Health and Human Services was unable to green light a dispensary for the two health districts that cover York, as well as Washington and Hancock counties, because the applicants in those districts didn't meet enough of the qualifications.
The department has set an Aug. 20 deadline for new applications for the dispensaries there.