State's First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Salem
SALEM (CBS)-- You can now buy medical marijuana in Massachusetts. The state's first dispensary opened in Salem on Wednesday.
It is the first place in Massachusetts to buy medical marijuana, even though the ballot referendum was passed back in 2012.
The dispensary actually only opened on a special waiver from Governor Charlie Baker.
The crowd of patients had to wait outside for their turn to fill their prescriptions for medical marijuana. But this wait is nothing, compared to the three years of legal wrangling since the ballot measure passed.
"I got my card approximately a year ago, had to renew it, and then finally this opened up," said Levester Burrell.
Burrell drove from Western Massachusetts to get his prescription pot. It costs $180 for a one month supply, and he says it helps his high blood pressure.
For Gail Perry Borden, it's relief from Parkinson's.
"It works for pain, and it works for insomnia with Parkinson's, and it works for this tremor that you see," said Borden.
A Salem resident, Borden had been getting medical marijuana in Maine until now.
The dispensary is run by Alternative Therapies Group. The state still doesn't have its testing system ready, but the Governor is allowing limited amounts to be distributed on a temporary waiver.
"I'm glad it's here now. It's about time, and it's been a long haul since it's been voted in," said Borden.
It's a relief for Borden, but she does have one suggestion for Massachusetts: "Less red tape," she said.
You need a prescription and you also need an appointment. You can't just come in with your card to get the medical marijuana.
There have been police officers here as well as security, and neighbors who were a little nervous about this have said, "So far, so good."