Pubdate: Thu, 20 Sep 2012
Source: Vermont Cynic (U of Vermont, VT Edu)
Copyright: 2012 Vermont Cynic
Contact: http://www.vermontcynic.com/main.cfm?include=submit
Website: http://www.vermontcynic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3982
Author: Keegan Fairfield

POT SHOP TO OPEN DOORS DOWNTOWN

A medical marijuana dispensary has been approved to set up shop in
Burlington.

The Champlain Valley Dispensary was granted conditional approval by
the Department of Public Safety to begin selling marijuana to patients
with chronic illness or intractable pain Sept. 10.

The dispensary, which will be located inside the Wing Complex on
Steele Street, is expected to be open for business within six months.

Shayne Lynn, the owner of Champlain Valley Dispensary, told WCAX that
he hopes to provide a comfortable and safe atmosphere for his patients.

"Very low key, very clean, but in a place that people can feel secure
that there is some privacy for people, too -- covered parking,
handicapped-accessible," he said.

The business will be under 24-hour surveillance and will have at least
two employees in the store at all times, Lynn said.

The marijuana that will be sold at the dispensary will be grown at an
undisclosed location in South Burlington.

A 2004 state law governing the therapeutic use of cannabis for
registered patients and the creation of marijuana dispensaries granted
the public safety department the authority to permit up to four
dispensaries in Vermont.

The Burlington store is one of two that have been conditionally
approved to operate, with the other location in Waterbury, according
to a statement released by Vermont officials. The department is still
reviewing applications for the remaining dispensaries.

Rules established by the department permit qualified patients to
purchase up to two ounces of marijuana from a dispensary each month.

The rules also require that patients be Vermont residents and that
they be at least 21 years of age. The state maintains an index of all
registered patients.

As of March 2012, the Vermont Marijuana Registry contained 491
patients, including 84 in Chittenden County, according to the Vermont
Criminal Information Center.

Lynn said he is optimistic about the future success of the medical
marijuana industry in Vermont.

"I think the law that the Vermont Legislature passed is good and those
regulations are what will help this program succeed," he told Vermont
Public Radio.

Sophomore Rob Liu said he supports marijuana for medicinal purposes
because he has witnessed first-hand the benefits it can provide.

Liu's relative, who was diagnosed with cancer, is prescribed medical
marijuana to combat the decreased appetite caused by chemotherapy 
treatments.

"I think it's awesome," Liu said about the dispensary coming to
Burlington. "Given Burlington's dense population, it just makes sense
to have it here."
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MAP posted-by: Matt