Video: First Look Inside the Future Medical Marijuana Center in Portsmouth
The Department of Health has approved an application to open a medical marijuana facility in Portsmouth. On Wednesday, we took a first look at where the facility will be located.
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Videos
On Tuesday, the Department of Health approved an application by Dr. Seth Bock to open a "compassion center," or medical marijuana center, in Portsmouth.
On Wednesday, Patch was granted an inside look at where one of the state's first medical marijuana centers will be housed.
Bock, who owns and operates the Newport Acupuncture and Wellness Spa in Middletown, intends to open a non-profit medical marijuana center at 200 Highpoint Ave., Unit B-6.
The center will be located next to R.B. Queen & Co., a home heating company, and the High Point Salon and Spa.
The 60 x 40 sq. ft. leased space still requires cleaning and renovation. A boat and car are still parked inside the unit.
Featured here is a video of the future Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center.
The official opening date is still unknown, according to Bruce Vanicek, one of the center's principals. The center must still be inspected by the Department of Health staff, as well as receive a certificate of occupancy from the Town of Portsmouth.
East side
10:49 am on Thursday, March 17, 2011
PHS pits on a drug awareness yet this story is put into positive light. Totally strange. Mixed messages as to not take drugs if you are in the Portsmouth school system but once are out head over to high point and some 'em.
Len Katzman
2:06 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
It's not a mixed message.
Message one: don't abuse drugs.
Message two (taken directly from the text of the RI Medical Marijuana law): If you have Cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C; or if you have a debilitating disease that produces one or more of the following: wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating, chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to, those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; or agitation of Alzheimer's Disease; -- then it is OK to take a drug that helps you live with those conditions, even if that drug is marijuana.
Medicines are a part of society and life. The message is consistent -- if you are sick then see a doctor and follow the prescribed treatment. If you are not sick and under a doctor's care, then you shouldn't be taking any drugs. I have full confidence that the bright and engaging students at PHS know the difference.
Len Katzman
5:58 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Bob, I responded to "East side" who was talking about drug use and the message this sends, not about Federal law. But to your point I agree it's an awkward issue -- RI allows what Federal law doesn't. On the message that sends, I have no good answer for you. It's an unresolved problem. To clarify, though, RI is NOT telling people they don't have to follow federal law. It's buyer beware here.
Under Bush the Feds went after dispensaries in California. Now under Obama the Feds say, "It is not the practice or policy of DEA to target individuals with serious medical conditions who comply with state laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes." But who knows what the next President will do? This is no way to conduct policy. Nearly a third of states have medical marijuana laws, it's time for Federal law to change.
I come to my position by personal experience. I know someone who died of cancer and I know first hand that pot made her last few months on this earth tolerable enough to be able to live it out with some degree of dignity with the company of her family and friends. On top of dealing with their mom's looming death, her family had to face additional legal and safety risks by buying it off the street. I think that's wrong. I think we should do something for people like her.
I respect that the clash of the laws remains a problem. But, I am not willing to look someone like her in the eye and say, Sorry but the law says you have to suffer with your pain.
nun
3:04 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Well said Len. I couldn't agree more.
jedi
4:37 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
About 7,600 people die each year from overdose on non-prescription drugs such as aspirin. Zero from marijuana.
While we certainly need to teach people not to abuse drugs, let's keep the dangers in perspective.
Joe Sousa.
4:54 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
I'll go out on a limb and say it will be several months before the armed robbers hold this place up. They want to wait till the product matures .
East side
5:14 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
When a person is sick they go to the doctor then a pharmacy to get a prescription filled. This is outside the norm. The message is positive in light and confuses people. If the PHS students truly knew the difference then why would they have a conference on the evils of drugs and alcohol?
Susan Lewis
4:28 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Awareness Night held at PHS was an informative night for parents and guardians of middle school and high school students. Although poorly attended, the intent of the event was to make parents aware of the signs of drug and alcohol use and what preventative measures can be taken by parents such as facilitating an open and honest discussion about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse. This discussion is completely different and focuses on the medical use of marijuana for pain management, it not speaking to recreational use. The participants in the event at PHS gave their time and expertise to address use and abuse stemming from recreational use. Please do not confuse the two issues as it does a disservice to those who sponsored and participated in this event. Thank you.
stoney larue
5:21 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Eastside then why is alcohol not only legal but so widely accepted and emphasized by our society.
East side
6:35 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
That is my point. Alcohol is easy to get and is a major problem. Now pot is readily available legally. That is a shame. California is easy to get legal pot. Just need a doctors note. And for the doctors it is a great way as an annuity. Pot is addictive and the medical industry knows this. Another thought is there sales tax on pot?
DSilva
8:25 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Just like Len, I too have seen the relief this can bring to someone with cancer. But, I do have a problem with the "ends justifies the means". It is against Federal law and we should work to change that, not just ignore it. Once you go down that road ...
East side
8:37 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Are adult stores next for Portsmouth? No big big stores but a pot store is ok? I don't understand why this is ok in Portsmouth. There are many available spaces in the industrial park for future businesses. However this new enterprise will have an impact on those deciding to locate their business next to the pot seller.
CivilCitizen
1:25 pm on Friday, March 18, 2011
This is not a store. It is a compassion center that can only be utilized by medical marijuana patients and care givers.
Rep. Dan Gordon
8:23 pm on Friday, March 18, 2011
I am in support of the use of marijuana for medical purposes. According to two cousins of mine, both young people from each side of the family, that it does provide relief. One a leukemia survivor, the other recently succumbing to breast cancer.
My concern is with the way that it is dispensed. I believe from the information that I have, that we are going about it in the wrong manner. See this link: http://www.projo.com/news/content/Providence_Intruder_Shooter_04-23-10_45I7A8M_v49.3b368ed.html
This in addition to growers having more plants than allowed by law, is causing local law enforcement to spend more time on these violations/accusations, when their time is best served investigating other crimes.
I suggest a system where medical marijuana is dispensed via pharmacies, as other medicines that require a doctor's prescription are.
I am open to thought and/or suggestions.
Best,
Dan
East side
9:04 pm on Friday, March 18, 2011
Yes I agree with you Dan. Not only does it give it credibility it could be put in another form as to not duplicate how it is taken just like on the street. I believe this would segment what is considered a true medicine and not something simply holistic and naughty.
Historicus
8:41 am on Saturday, March 19, 2011
Considering that in 2003 the Department of Health and Human Services was assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,630,507 - "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants" - how is cannabis lawfully included in Schedule I, the list of drugs with no accepted medical use in the United States?
Scott
11:25 am on Saturday, March 19, 2011
1.) Due to prohibition, kids can get pot in school right now, and for the last 50 years its been that way. Drug dealers don't card.
2.) You don't see Mexicans crossing the border with kegs of ber on their back, because there is no black market and no profit in it.
3.) Bootleggers only sell Whiskey, because pound for pound it makes the most money. You can't buy low TCH marijuana because the free market is being suppressed.
4.) Billions of dollars in revenue in the US are going overseas with no taxation and no tariffs. Interesting way to dispense charity...
5.) Laws against marijuana have tried to stop its use for 80+ years. It has not worked at all. The evidence is right before us all. This just drives the price up and turns hardworking people into criminals.
See what this California judge has to say about the issue; He dealt with this in court for many years and knows the issue as few people can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDKarCeC_Ic
East side
5:41 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
To Susan Lewis. A duck is a duck. Pot is pot. You mentioned attendance was poor. I'm not surprised. You too are confused by the two issues
Portsmouth Concerned Citizen
5:55 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
If we could all be as intelligent, experienced, and insightful as you. I'm sure it is no accident that you're as aware as you are about obtaining drugs and alcohol. Of course, you forget to mention that cigarettes are exponentially more lethal than either marijuana or alcohol. Perhaps your need is just to whine. If so, you’re being extraordinarily effective.
East side
8:20 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011
No need for nasty comments. However I don't read anywhere on this post were people are overly excites to have this pot grocery store in town. I'm reading peole are on with it but legal issues and distribution/marketing of the drug needs work. Cigarettes are bad for us and yes no doctors that I know of prescribe them. So this is off the table. What about anicker bars you may ask. Same thing these are not preacibes as well. Great comments all around.any interesting insights. Well see what happens with this business as well as the other two over the year. I'm sure well hear lots more.