Karen Munkacy, CEO of Garden Remedies, the medical marijuana dispensary slated to operate in Newtonville, told the Fitchburg Sentinal & Enterprise that she expects the dispensary to open by mid-January 2016.
The article is worth reading. It is by far the most in-depth piece I’ve read about Garden Remedies.
It’s the most in-depth I’ve read about any medical marijuana business. I’m glad she’s found what sounds like a good location for growing. I hope to never need medical marijuana but I think it should be an option for people who need something more than traditional medicine.
Gail, I’ll pass on your compliments to the editor of the S&E (Lowell Sun’s sister paper).
Thanks Julia. Please do.
What’s the over/under on when marijuana will be legalized (beyond medical)? Three years?
An interesting read, “Chasing the scream”, by Johann Hari opened my eyes on the subject. Good read.
Have any opened in MA yet?
According to its website, Alternative Therapies Group in Salem will be open for business this summer.
Very informative article. Thanks, Gail, for sharing it. I hope to G-d that neither I or a loved one needs it, but I am grateful that it will be here in Newton if needed.
I have no respect for a government that allows sick and dying people to suffer for the sake of bureaucratic bullshit. The medical marijuana ballot initiative passed two and a half years ago. Most office holders have little regard for the will of the voters, and even less regard for people who are suffering and in pain. It’s a disgrace!
Thanks, Gail. I was in favor of medical marijuana when my mother was dying of breast cancer and I am even more supportive of the expedited statewide implementation of this law now. Best wishes to Dr. Munkacy and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the opening of Garden Remedies is not further delayed.
Gail,
Like Ted Hess Mahan I had a loved one who died of breast cancer, ( my wife ) and through out her 5 year battle including multiple chemotheraputic regimens, bone marrow transplants, etc etc she was never without legitimate and effective pharmaceuticals to relieve her pain , nausea, anxiety etc etc.. If marijuana is a legitimate alternative pharmaceutical let it become legalized nationally with NIH approvals etc and be available by perscription at your local CVS or Walgreens. Until it is, I do not think it should be available willy nilly over the counter to whom ever can’t get by with aspirin .
“Willy nilly over the counter to whomever can’t get by with aspirin.” You must be commenting from Alaska, Oregon, Washington or Colorado, because you surely can’t do that in MA.
As for trivializing another’s pain, with tiny anecdotal evidence (1 person), that is showing a total lack of empathy. But there are pharmaceuticals for treating that, although, as with aspirin, not always effective.
Whereas there are ways to express your disagreement with the legalization of medical marihuana without trying to shame those whose pain may either be worse than in your experience or can’t (or don’t want to) use opiates and other pharmaceuticals whose prescriptions can be filled at a pharmacy.
@ Marti,.. with all due respect,…
My tiny anecdotal evidence ( one person ) , which You seem intent on ‘trivializing ‘, is educated !
With hundreds of visits to Dana Farber, and Brighams and Women’s Hospital, and the agony of watching a loved ones struggle and suffering don’t think I don’t know empathy ! You might need a little perspective here your self , before advocating for ” Medical Marijuana” , when legitimate, extremely effective and legal alternatives are available.
Blueprint Bill is correct. I’ve debated this many times with Mike. I know that his goal is legalization of recreational marijuana, and I believe that this is a step in that direction. In California it’s a joke. Anyone can be qualified to buy so-called medical marijuana and the stores are really like the old “head shops”.
If there’s a benefit to whatever is in marijuana, then let Pfizer or someone either extract it or synthesize it and sell it as a prescription drug in a drug store. The dosage should be known and it should be prescribed for a certain period of time just like any prescription drug. I don’t want people in need to be denied its help. Instead we have it being sold as “pot” in so-called dispensaries.
If the medical side can be handled like a pharmaceutical, then we can deal with the recreational side for what it is.
@Barry: Did you bother to read the article?
@ Barry Cohen !
Amen !!!!
@Bluprintbill, I am most sincerely sorry for your loss.
I did, Greg. It’s a slippery slope and everyone knows this. It doesn’t matter what this one particular woman says.
Blueprintbill, I was not and do not trivialize the suffering you and your family experienced. I am sorry that it read that way to you.
Many people who suffer through chemo cannot take opiates or other pharmaceuticals or have an experience in which they do not alleviate symptoms such as you witnessed. I want relief for those people too.
My experience was the complete opposite of Blueprintbill’s experience. My wife, Laurie, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008. Her prognosis was 6-9 months. She died three and a half years later in 2011. There is no question that marijuana helped extend and improve the quality of her life.
I met many other patients at the MGH brain tumor clinic who admitted to benefiting from marijuana. As a proponent and activist for marijuana reform, I have met countless others who have been helped by marijuana for different illnesses and pain issues.
While everyone has a right to an opinion, no one has the right to dictate other people’s medical treatment. A large majority of voters agreed with this position when they voted to legalize medical marijuana. Unfortunately, many of the same politicians who lacked the courage and empathy to reform medical marijuana laws, have taken to obstructing implementation of the law passed by voters.
I cannot tolerate narcotics of any type and am not allowed to take NSAIDs. I know other people in the same situation. Having one more option available to relieve suffering is important to me and them.
Yes, I smoked pot as a college kid and the illegality never interfered with my ability to get it. No, I haven’t indulged in decades and have no with to barring medical need. But I see no reason why opioids should be available by prescription but not marijuana, when opioids are more dangerous and addictive.
“Against Murder? Don’t kill someone” This can be applied to heroin and crack. If you are against it then don’t patronize the store and don’t use it yourself but don’t infringe on someone else’s rights to do so.
Alison,
The problem with that logic is that people are inclined to think that legal means right. So, when something was wrong in everyone’s eyes, and someone was able to change the law, suddenly it becomes right. Where’s the sense of sustained values? Indiana just changed its laws on religious freedom. I don’t see people now saying, oh, this must now be right.
Alison,
Gee, that’s not the kind of offer I usually get on this blog. 🙂