UPDATE BELOW FROM 06-22-2015
Is the Cat Out of the Bag ?
Is the Cat Out of the Bag ?
The Ronan Report
"The Ronan Report" provides insight about the activities at the Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland, Maryland, and about the changes taking place in healthcare today from a CEO's perspective.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Medical Marijuana
Some may be surprised to learn of my support of medical marijuana since I am vehemently opposed to legalization of recreational use marijuana. (Just look at Colorado and the mess that exists there. Although their tax revenues are through the roof, they have significant challenges with an increase in crime, public health issues as well as social issues.) I have classified medical marijuana as another tool in the clinician's toolbox, if you will.
With the out-of-control use of opiates in Cumberland, Maryland and across the US, medical marijuana could be a wonderful option for patients whose pain is no longer effectively controlled by Oxycodone or other similar opiate derivative drugs. It could also provide a loved one who is in their final days the ability to have quality time with their family rather than in a morphine-induced coma because of the severity of their pain. It certainly has a place in many areas of health care and needs to be used.
I am most encouraged by the founding leadership of md / phh, who are clearly in this for all of the right reasons. They have licenses in Connecticut and Minnesota and their description of their operations is just short of amazing. These are very credible individuals who are extremely interesting and have a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
At yesterday's meeting, I invited Dr. Goldstein, WMHS's Chief Medical Officer, Nancy Adams, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nurse Executive and Kevin Turley, our Vice President for Marketing, Planning and New Business Development. That meeting was only an hour due to constraints with other meetings, but could have lasted for three or four hours. We are all intrigued by the science associated with medical marijuana and what this company is looking to accomplish.
It would be of great benefit to the western Maryland region for a company that plans to bring 50 to 150 new jobs and have an economic impact of revenues from $50 to $75 million to locate here. In addition, the Western Maryland Health System and our patients would have another dimension in patient care. Medical marijuana also fits nicely into our value- based care delivery model by caring for patients in the most appropriate location and keeping them healthier and out of the hospital. I will be keeping everyone apprised of md / phh's progress over the next several months, but I thought that it was necessary to give you a prospective on such a new and different company with a concept that will hopefully be coming to Cumberland.
Posted by
Barry P. Ronan
at
2/05/2015
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UPDATE:
CUMBERLAND — The $2.4 billion cannabis industry apparently prompted some marijuana growers to explore the potential for medical marijuana operations in Allegany County.
“We have been contacted by five or six growers asking what they would need to come here,” said Bill Valentine, Allegany County commission president.
A property owner in eastern Allegany County spoke at the regular meeting of the commissioners held in Little Orleans on Thursday. Robert “Gary” Appel said a marijuana grower had expressed interest in purchasing a lot in Pumpkin Center, between Little Orleans and Oldtown, owned by members of his family. Appel expressed concerns over the industry to the commissioners. Valentine said the grower who approached Appel wanted to make the purchase of the lot contingent on the state granting the business a medical marijuana growers license. Maryland lawmakers made it legal for commercial entities to grow and dispense cannabis for medical reasons in 2014. However, Valentine is still waiting for some of the rules and regulations to be fully fleshed out before he would entertain the idea of approving a growing operation in the county. State law has cleared the way for 15 licenses to be issued through May 31, 2016. The Annotated Code of Maryland, in consideration of the ranking of the applications, says the state may issue pre-approvals of up to 15 licenses. Valentine said he has to be cautious when vetting potential cannabis growers.
“A lot of them are these LLCs (limited liability companies) that contact you. You just don’t know if they are legitimate,” said Valentine.
He said many counties are getting inquiries from potential growers. The Associated Press reported Friday that town officials in Easton have approved the application of the CBD Wellness Group to establish a growing facility there. CBD intends to locate in the former Black & Decker building, where agriculture is allowed. Company officials told Easton Mayor Bob Willey the company expects to hire roughly 100 people. “I have my doubts that the state will allow it (cannabis) to be grown in an unsecured fashion. We want to wait and see what the state will do. Many of the medical marijuana growing operations are done with hydroponics in a secure building,” said Valentine. Valentine recognizes that law now puts the industry in the limelight. “I would never favor a Colorado-style setup. If it is is a legitimate pharmaceutical business, you have to look at it. I want to see how the state is going to handle it first. But if you have someone interested you can refuse them,” said Valentine. Valentine said he expects to see the state provide more details on the growing and dispensing of cannabis in September. He said he doubts that the product can be grown outside, even with fences. The movement to relax marijuana laws continues to move forward in many states. A Rutgers-Eagelton poll released Friday said that in New Jersey, 58 percent of adults favored legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana for adults 21 and older. In 2014, cannabis was a $700 million industry in Colorado.
http://www.times-news.com/news/medical-marijuana-growers-express-interest-in-allegany-county/article_e68afa90-16c4-11e5-8974-b34dd4758bd6.html?utm_source=WhatCounts+Publicaster+Edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily_Newsletter&utm_content=READ
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UPDATE:
CUMBERLAND — The $2.4 billion cannabis industry apparently prompted some marijuana growers to explore the potential for medical marijuana operations in Allegany County.
“We have been contacted by five or six growers asking what they would need to come here,” said Bill Valentine, Allegany County commission president.
A property owner in eastern Allegany County spoke at the regular meeting of the commissioners held in Little Orleans on Thursday. Robert “Gary” Appel said a marijuana grower had expressed interest in purchasing a lot in Pumpkin Center, between Little Orleans and Oldtown, owned by members of his family. Appel expressed concerns over the industry to the commissioners. Valentine said the grower who approached Appel wanted to make the purchase of the lot contingent on the state granting the business a medical marijuana growers license. Maryland lawmakers made it legal for commercial entities to grow and dispense cannabis for medical reasons in 2014. However, Valentine is still waiting for some of the rules and regulations to be fully fleshed out before he would entertain the idea of approving a growing operation in the county. State law has cleared the way for 15 licenses to be issued through May 31, 2016. The Annotated Code of Maryland, in consideration of the ranking of the applications, says the state may issue pre-approvals of up to 15 licenses. Valentine said he has to be cautious when vetting potential cannabis growers.
“A lot of them are these LLCs (limited liability companies) that contact you. You just don’t know if they are legitimate,” said Valentine.
He said many counties are getting inquiries from potential growers. The Associated Press reported Friday that town officials in Easton have approved the application of the CBD Wellness Group to establish a growing facility there. CBD intends to locate in the former Black & Decker building, where agriculture is allowed. Company officials told Easton Mayor Bob Willey the company expects to hire roughly 100 people. “I have my doubts that the state will allow it (cannabis) to be grown in an unsecured fashion. We want to wait and see what the state will do. Many of the medical marijuana growing operations are done with hydroponics in a secure building,” said Valentine. Valentine recognizes that law now puts the industry in the limelight. “I would never favor a Colorado-style setup. If it is is a legitimate pharmaceutical business, you have to look at it. I want to see how the state is going to handle it first. But if you have someone interested you can refuse them,” said Valentine. Valentine said he expects to see the state provide more details on the growing and dispensing of cannabis in September. He said he doubts that the product can be grown outside, even with fences. The movement to relax marijuana laws continues to move forward in many states. A Rutgers-Eagelton poll released Friday said that in New Jersey, 58 percent of adults favored legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana for adults 21 and older. In 2014, cannabis was a $700 million industry in Colorado.
http://www.times-news.com/news/medical-marijuana-growers-express-interest-in-allegany-county/article_e68afa90-16c4-11e5-8974-b34dd4758bd6.html?utm_source=WhatCounts+Publicaster+Edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily_Newsletter&utm_content=READ
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