State's 3rd, final compassion center opens its doors

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What will become the state’s third compassion center, Summit, at 380 Jefferson Boulevard, is ready to commence selling medical marijuana tomorrow.

But while the center projects it will serve 600 patients within the first year, 1,105 by the second year and 1,610 by the third year, Terence Fracassa believes that growth will be much more rapid. As legal counsel for the center, Fracassa pointed out in an interview yesterday those Rhode Islanders licensed to obtain medical marijuana number more than 9,200, a number he estimated to be growing at more than 60 a week. With Summit’s easy access to Route 95 and central location, Fracassa believes the center will be a popular location. The other approved compassion centers are located in Providence and Portsmouth.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Health confirmed yesterday that Summit is cleared for opening.

The center is deceptively large for its unobtrusive awning and single entrance. Once beyond the locked exterior door, people enter a hallway where employees behind glass panels will clear them to enter a waiting area with couches, tables and scenic photographs of Rhode Island.

Not far away are glass counters, where samples of different strains of marijuana will be displayed and patients will be able to view the product under magnifying glasses. The cases also contain implements for smoking the plant.

Fracassa said as many as 18 to 20 strains of medical marijuana will be sold at Summit. He said each would contain different percentages of cannabinoids with different levels of THC and CBD. He said THC produces more of the psychological effect while the CBD offers more of a pain relief effect.

“This is where the science comes in,” he said, explaining the strain can be adjusted to a patient’s symptoms. He expects many patients will know what works best for them, but in situations where they are not getting relief, center personnel will discuss alternatives.

Addressing strains, he said the indica strain serves to relax and is a form of anti-anxiety medication while the sativa strain produces an uplifting effect.

“We would be educating them [patients] on the strains and the forms,” he said.

In addition to marijuana for smoking, Fracassa said Summit would sell oils, tinctures and edibles. He said Summit would be selling lotions and medicated patches. Once coordinated through the Department of Health, he said Summit would also be selling food products, such as cookies, with the drug.

Initially, Summit will buy its product from caregivers who are licensed to grow marijuana and have excess product. He said this would be tested before sale by Summit as well as by outside labs. He expects Summit’s facility to grow marijuana, which is located in a separate 10,000-square-foot building on Illinois Avenue, would be in operation within a couple of months. Summit currently has seven employees, a number Fracassa said will grow to more than 20. Cuttino Mobley, former URI basketball star and then played for several NBA teams, is financing Summit.

Fracassa said, depending on the strain, medical marijuana would sell for $290 to the mid $300 per ounce. Patients are limited to five ounces per month.

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