FIFTEEN APPLICATIONS TO RUN MARIJUANA 'COMPASSION CENTERS'

PROVIDENCE - The state Department of Health received 15 proposals by
Monday from applicants seeking to establish the state's first
compassion center, or store, to sell marijuana to patients registered
in the medicinal-marijuana program.

Two of the applications had been submitted through Friday, while 13
more came in just before the deadline passed at 4:30 p.m., health
officials said.

Annemarie Beardsworth, Health Department spokeswoman, said that the
department will not release the names of the applicants or other
details of the proposals, including proposed center locations, until
department officials review the applications.

"If we asked for a security plan, we want to know whether a security
plan is enclosed," she said.

In the coming weeks, the department will post the proposals for
public view. A public hearing on the proposals is scheduled for June
21 at the department, 3 Capitol Hill.

The state plans to allow up to three compassion centers to operate.

The purpose of the compassion centers, which are supposed to run on a
not-for-profit basis, is to expand the number of places where
patients can get, with a physician's approval, marijuana to treat a
variety of illnesses including back pain, nausea and seizures. As of
last month, the Health Department reported that there are 1,562
patients and 1,240 caregivers.

The medical marijuana program was launched in 2006 and allows
licensed patients to possess up to 12 marijuana plants or the
equivalent of 2.5 ounces of marijuana at any one time. They may also
select up to two caregivers to provide the drugs, as long as those
caregivers have no felony drug convictions.

The compassion centers, which would have their own sources of
marijuana, would operate in addition to the current network of
patients and caregivers. There is no limit on the number of patients
each center could have.

The medical-marijuana program has had its problems. Several licensed
users or caregivers have been arrested for growing more than the
amount permitted in the program. Supporters of the program say that
the compassion centers may be a better and safer option for the patients.

Still, the state police and Providence police have concerns about the
security at the centers, saying that they could be targeted by
criminals looking for an opportunity to steal the drugs.