Boston News Today - BLUNT TRUTH BONUS: FOLLOWING BLUE BOTCH FEST, RED TEAM GIVES GREEN LIGHT

Yes, we have used this image before, but considering the circumstances, do you really think we need a new one?

While we typically use Blunt Truth to rail against the government, specifically in reference to politicians who are reluctant to advance marijuana in the Commonwealth despite the current medical cannabis law, this week there is actually good news. That’s right—in the state where Democrats can’t get out of their own way, Republican Governor Charlie Baker, who is of course flawed in his own right on a number of other important issues, did what nary any donkey prior to him has had the audacity to do, and used his power to push ahead on dispensaries. We’re usually dead against printing press releases (unless we’re mocking them), but this one from last Friday felt remarkable enough to quote extensively …

Governor Charlie Baker today approved the issuance of a one-time, temporary waiver that will allow the first medical marijuana dispensary to begin selling its product after meeting final inspection protocols.

One of the Commonwealth’s first medical marijuana dispensaries, Alternative Therapies Group (ATG) of Salem, MA had requested the waiver because labs in Massachusetts are not yet able to complete the array of quality testing required by Department of Public Health protocols.

“Patients have waited to access marijuana for medical purposes for far too long,” said Governor Baker. “This waiver will allow industry laboratories a little more time to reach full operation while providing safe amounts of medical marijuana for qualifying patients who need it.”

Under the 3-month waiver, ATG may only dispense a maximum of 4.23 ounces of marijuana to any qualifying patient for their sixty-day supply and must provide patients with instructions to consume no more than 2 grams per day. During that time DPH will review the standards for naturally occurring minerals to ensure they are attainable for future dispensaries.

“We carefully considered the initial testing results and we will review the standards going forward,” said Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. “We believe these levels provide for patient health protections while allowing the first dispensary to distribute marijuana for medical use as voted on in 2012.”

Well it’s about time …