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Medical marijuana dispensaries under attack
Posted: 10.07.2011 at 9:46 AM
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Several dispensaries have been shut down for illegal sale to cardholders

WHITE PINE -- Medical marijuana is getting a hit from the state Court of Appeals that says the cannabis cannot be sold through dispensaries.

With only several stores in the state with proper licensing, it’s frustrating voters and patients.

"We need to stand up as medical marijuana patients and fight for our rights--we are not drug addicts; the people we deal with are not children," said David Ray, owner of Pioneer Testing LLC.

Cancer survivor David Ray has been in business since medical marijuana became legal in 2008.  Pioneer Testing in White Pine offers supplies to grow the medicine.  He says they also test marijuana for bacteria.

"We try to help them get their grow established so they can make their own medicine," Ray said.

But Ray's business is one of a few that have state and federal licensing.  Many others do not.  Several dispensaries have been shut down for illegal sale to cardholders.

"We show the forms in the public right outside of our store, so anybody--law enforcement or the public themselves--can see that we're not a dispensary; we are a testing facility for the right reasons," Ray said.

There are more than 90,000 medical card owners in the state.

Here's the break down of the costs:

-$200 to get permission for the card.

-$100 to obtain a card.

-$150 a year to renew the card.

That's more than $10 million of revenue each year.

Ray and many others are wondering...where is the money going, and why isn't it funding testing facilities?

“It really bothers me that our state makes the law, and the patient has no right, and we’re the ones giving the money,” Ray said.

While it's not a crime to operate as a supply store for plant growth, lawmakers say dispensaries do not have a license to sell the finished product.

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