Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jul 2013
Source: Herald, The (CT)
Copyright: 2013 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.newbritainherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/188
Author: Scott Whipple

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLANT AWAITING CERTIFICATION TO MOVE TO NEW BRITAIN

NEW BRITAIN - The city is poised to become one of the state's first
sites of a medical marijuana-growing operation.

According to Erik Williams, chief operating officer and partner of
Gaia's medical marijuana company, the call could come any day now
granting the plant's certification from the state's Department of
Consumer Protection.

Gaia, a leading Colorado grower and dispenser of medical marijuana,
has leased 40,000 square feet in a former manufacturing building at
One Hartford Square. The company, will be named Biltin Advanced
Propagation LLC, with 15 employees at the start. The operation could
grow to as many as 300 workers in two years, depending on market
demand, he said.

State Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein estimates
close to 500 patients in the state are certified to receive medical
marijuana. According to Williams, the potential market could run as
high as 52,500 patients.

Though cultivation and possession of marijuana are still illegal under
federal law, the way Connecticut's statute is written, Williams sees
no legal problem with the law.

The state will allow five locations for medical marijuana
manufacturers. All are yet to be determined.

Gaia opted for New Britain, Williams said, citing "its leadership and
economic development, its central location, and the willingness on the
part of its business leaders.

"In fact, producers such as Gaia can be a definite boon to cities like
New Britain. Williams cites jobs, tax revenue and money that stays in
the community.

"A lot of communities wanted us," said Williams.

Approximately $250,000 a month is expected to end up going back into
the community in the form of payroll, supplies and other services.

"New Britain got us right off the bat," Williams said. "Bill Carroll,
the city's business development director, told us this was a
tremendous opportunity for the city to get a great corporate citizen."

Carroll says Williams called him there months ago, expressing an
interest in the city.

"We were one of three locations they looked at that met their needs,"
Carroll says. "Gaia met our guidelines and will be paying taxes."

Williams insists there was no deal with the city involving tax
credits. He says several medical marijuana companies are applying for
businesses licenses in the state, but none have been granted, nor have
locations been determined. In addition to New Britain, Middletown,

West Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury and Watertown are under
consideration.

Gaia's due diligence stressed that the building would be more than
1,000 feet away from schools or churches, and that there would be
strong security. Though Williams declined to go into specifics, he
said the building will have more cameras than most casinos.

Once Williams gets the go-ahead, the company will start its initial
build out of a plant simulating the four seasons for growth, hanging
special lights to simulate the effect of the sun. It will also
complete installation of a security system that is expected to cost
from half million to a million dollars.

Williams, 37, says his goal is to run a business that will have a
quiet presence in the city.

A medical marijuana activist for more than 20 years, he grew up in New
Hampshire and now lives with his wife and two children in Coventry.

"We look forward to partnering with the New Britain community,"
Williams says. "We want to hire locally, to spend our money locally,
to pay our taxes and provide well-paying jobs. In short, we want to be
good corporate citizens."
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MAP posted-by: Matt