NEW LOCATION OK'D FOR MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

BIDDEFORD - Despite concerns from some members, the Planning Board
approved the permit to allow a medical marijuana dispensary to set up
shop in Biddeford.

On Wednesday, the board approved the application by Canuvo, Inc.,
formerly Safe Harbor Maine, Inc., to locate at 6 Wellspring Road.

The non-profit company has a purchase and sales agreement with
Southern Maine Medical Center, which owns the property, to purchase
one unit in a five-unit condominium building that houses other medical
uses.

Planning Board members discussed a number of concerns, such as
parking, security, the effect of the dispensary on nearby businesses,
and the advisability of locating the dispensary in a building where
services for children are provided.

Ultimately, however, board members unanimously approved the
conditional use permit.

After completing any planned site work, the company still needs to
obtain an occupancy permit from the Codes Enforcement Office.

Glenn Peterson, CEO of Canuvo, said he hopes to open the dispensary
for business in January.

In November 2009, Maine voters approved a citizens' initiative to
allow a regulated distribution system for medical marijuana. The
Department of Health and Human Services created rules that initially
allow eight dispensaries for medical marijuana to be set up in Maine,
one to be located in each of the state's public health districts.

Canuvo, based in Poland, was awarded the license to serve Public
Health District 1, which covers all of York County.

During the Planning Board's public hearing, Dr. Paul Remmes, an
orthodontist located in the building in which Canuvo plans to operate,
said he had several concerns. Among those was a concern about adequate
parking, as Remmes said his patients often have difficulty finding
parking.

City Planner Greg Tansley said Canuvo met the city's parking standard.
Peterson said he doesn't envision heavy traffic to the facility, and
added that he anticipates 40 percent of his clients would make use of
the company's delivery service.

The possible effect on his business was another concern raised by
Remmes. Because his patient base consists primarily of children and
teenagers, Remmes said, he feared parents would be hesitant to bring
their children to his office because of the dispensary's nearby
location and the negative image some people have about medical marijuana.

Tansley said he wasn't sure how the board could regulate how a
business may effect another.

Peterson said he didn't believe his business would be a liability to
nearby businesses. He said he plans to operate discretely and noted
that smoking marijuana isn't allowed in a public area. If clients act
inappropriately, he said, he will discontinue serving them and would
call law enforcement if they engaged in illegal behavior on the premises.

Security was another issue raised. Peterson said he must follow the
security measures mandated by the DHHS, which is the state agency with
oversight over medical marijuana dispensaries and growing facilities.

Video surveillance will be installed on the exterior of the building,
he said, along with other security measures. In addition, he said, he
doesn't plan to keep significant amounts of the product on the premises.

Planning Board member Jim Hoover made the motion to approve the
conditional use permit, and board member Larry Patoine seconded the
motion.

Patoine said he decided to support the permit because of his concern
for those who are ill and need the product to improve their quality of
life.

"This is tough, this is a tough one," said board member Roch
Angers.

When the discussion about locating a medical marijuana dispensary in
Biddeford first began, Angers voiced objections. Although he said he
still had concerns, he said "Larry (Patoine) put it in
perspective."

In addition, he said, he had to put aside his own feelings; "I have to
do what the city is telling me to do."

Tansley said to deny the permit, the board would have to give a list
of reasons relating to the ordinance, which the applicant could then
appeal.

Peterson said there are a lot of unknowns in the business. He said
he's unsure how many patients he will have because those using medical
marijuana haven't been required to register with the state.

To purchase medical marijuana from a dispensary, patients will be
required to get a letter of need from their physician. That letter
must be sent to DHHS for review and approval.

Peterson noted that the Maine law regarding who can purchase medical
marijuana is more restrictive than in other states. Patients must be
diagnosed with one of only a limited number of diseases, like cancer
or HIV, to be permitted to purchase medical marijuana from a dispensary.

Peterson said he plans to locate his growing facility outside of
Biddeford, but that he hasn't found a location yet. Those operating a
dispensary must grow their own product.

At a previous Planning Board meeting, Maine Organic Therapy was
granted a conditional use permit to operate a growing facility in
Biddeford. The facility will grow product for a dispensary that will
locate in Ellsworth.