By David Harry

Staff Writer

By today, two local residents should know if they will be part of Maine’s newest “green” industry.

Scarborough resident Stacie Ann Boilard and Corey Jones, a resident of Cape Elizabeth, are among 15 applicants seeking to open dispensaries to sell medical marijuana.

A decision is expected today on who will own the nonprofit dispensaries and where they will locate their businesses, said Catherine Cobb, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services official in charge of evaluating applications and awarding the eight licenses.

Boilard applied to operate a dispensary in District 7, which encompasses Washington and Hancock counties north and east of Bar Harbor, according to the list of applicants supplied by DHHS. She applied as CEO of First Sun Patients Group Inc., and listed an Atlantic Place business address in South Portland.

Jones applied as CEO of Southern Maine Medicinal Clinic and listed the same business and home address on Avon Road in Cape Elizabeth. He seeks to open a dispensary in District 2, based in Cumberland County.

Unlike several applicants, Boilard and Jones have applied to operate in only one district. Six of 15 applicants that posted the $15,000 fee applied to operate dispensaries in multiple districts. One dispensary will be allowed in each of eight districts that conform to DHHS Public Health Districts, Cobb said.

In seeking to open a dispensary in District 7, Boilard competed against two other applicants.

Jones was among six applicants seeking to open a dispensary in District 2.

Boilard couldn’t comment on the application and attempts to reach Jones for comment were unsuccessful.

State officials have grappled with ways to set up dispensaries since voters last November approved distribution of legal marijuana for medicinal use to patients who are certified by physicians.

Although dispensaries must be nonprofits, marijuana prices and dosage strength will not be regulated, Cobb said. Patients would be provided up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana at a time.

Cobb said applications received by June 25 were scored by three DHHS staffers and one person outside state government.

Up to 25 points were awarded for local ordinance compliance, the security of cultivation operations and long-term business plans for potential operations, according to the department’s website.

The convenience of the dispensary, ability to steadily supply patients and business experience of applicants was scored up to 75 points. Cobb said each applicant had to score at least 70 points to be considered.

The dispensaries must keep precise records and enforce drug-free workplaces. Dispensary employees also must pass drug tests.

Temporary rules establishing the application process are in place for 90 days. Revised regulations will go into effect Aug. 1, and Cobb said it was too early to know what changes might be made to temporary rules.

Cobb said the department headed into uncharted waters as it considered how to regulate sales and enforce the law allowing marijuana distribution.

Patients must pay an annual $100 registry fee ($75 if on MaineCare) and carry an ID card. Dispensaries must pay an annual $15,000 license fee.

“This has been a learning experience for all of us,” Cobb said, adding the state is trying to avoid the distribution structure in California by requiring stricter eligibility for patients and prohibiting growing collectives that sell marijuana to dispensaries.

Physicians will be able to certify patients diagnosed with cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), glaucoma, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease (which affects digestion), Alzheimer’s and HIV.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219