POT-CLINIC APPLICATIONS ANNOUNCED

AUGUSTA -- The Vienna couple chosen by the state to run a medical
marijuana dispensary in western Maine has applied to open a second
dispensary in York County.

The Department of Health and Human Services on Friday received 19
applications from non-profit groups hoping to operate a dispensary in
either York County or Down East. The state will announce Aug. 31 who
will run those dispensaries.

Last month, DHHS chose three groups to run six of the state's first
eight medical marijuana dispensaries. The new medical marijuana law
allows one dispensary in each of the state's eight public health
districts. None of the applications to the York County or Down East
districts received the minimum score from the state, so a second
application round was opened immediately.

Tim and Jenna Smale, who will compete against seven other applicants
hoping to open clinics in York County, indicated they'd like to have
a dispensary in either Biddeford or Saco, according to a press
release from DHHS.

The Smales originally proposed to open their western Maine dispensary
in Wilton, but more recently have said they've been looking for a
location in the Auburn area.

Also among the 19 applicants are Lucas Sirois, a Farmington
contractor, and Freese Fuller, of Hallowelll.

Doing business as Today's Herbal Care, Sirois submitted two
applications -- one for a dispensary in Sullivan and another for a
dispensary in Biddeford.

Sirois previously applied to open dispensaries in western Maine,
central Maine and York County.

Fuller, whose group is called The Healing Center, is proposing to
open a clinic in Ellsworth.