tet1953
Well-Known Member
Great! Where is there? lol
Expo in November
- Thread starter shotrocker
- Start date
Great! Where is there? lol
maineyankee
Active Member
Must be over there ----->>>>
Maine Brookies
Active Member
I dunno, but i know he's not driving to RI himself to get it tested. I'll drop him a line and see if can find anything out...
Maine Brookies
Active Member
Their testing capacity is at least somewhat portable - they were testing at Jim Fowler's show in Augusta. I suspect they haul the stuff up every so often.
Maine Brookies
Active Member
Did they ever publish a vendor list?
jujubee
Active Member
maineyankee
Active Member
[h=2]Central Maine Morning Sentinel
Monday, November 12th, 2012
State's chief medical marijuana overseer says he's been fired[/h][h=3]John Thiele may have been terminated for being 'too friendly' to medical marijuana interests[/h]By Eric Russell [email protected]
Staff Writer
The head of Maine's medical marijuana program announced at a public meeting that he has been terminated from his position, according to two people who attended the meeting.
John Thiele, who worked in the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services, broke the news Friday at a Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine event, in advance of the group's Home Grown Maine exposition Saturday in Portland.
"This is not good news for Maine's medical marijuana program," said Chris Kenoyer, a licensed caregiver who attended the meeting. Kenoyer said Thiele was "very responsive and respectful" and was the go-to person for questions about state laws on the subject.
Rep. Mark Dion, who worked with Thiele both as a lawmaker and as an attorney who represents medical marijuana caregivers, confirmed that Thiele had been let go.
"I had actually heard it in the community sometime in the last week," the Portland Democrat said Sunday. "I always thought he was helpful, prompt. I was surprised."
Neither Thiele nor his boss, DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew, returned calls for comment Sunday. The department has not announced Thiele's dismissal.
Kenoyer said the reason Thiele gave for his dismissal on Friday was that he had become "too friendly with patients and caregivers."
Dion characterized things slightly differently: "There was thought that he was acting more as a social worker than a regulator," he said.
In a post advertising Saturday's event on the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine website, Thiele was listed as "the patient-friendly former director of the Maine DHHS medical use of marijuana program."
Maine voters legalized marijuana for medical purposes through a citizens' initiative in 1999, but the program has undergone a significant expansion in the past few years. In 2009, voters overwhelmingly passed a law that created nonprofit marijuana dispensaries, allowed certified caregivers to grow marijuana for as many as five patients and expanded the acceptable conditions under which a patient could be certified.
By most estimates, the program has grown considerably, although the state has no way to track the number of medical marijuana patients.
Another new law, passed last year, made registration voluntary, so there is no way to know how many patients have been certified or how many doctors are certifying patients. Some have argued that fewer restrictions have made the system ripe for abuse, especially because one of the new conditions -- intractable pain -- is subjective.
Maine doctors now have sole discretion about whether to certify patients, and some are becoming de facto specialists. Dr. Dustin Sulak, a Falmouth medical marijuana practitioner, told the Portland Press Herald last month that he had certified "thousands" of patients. His practice even offered student discounts for medical marijuana evaluations.
In an interview with the Press Herald about a month ago, Thiele said that even though the program had become less regulated in recent years, it was well-run. He also said his office recently drafted new rules to improve the program further, but it doesn't appear those rules have been implemented yet.
Kenoyer said he and other medical marijuana advocates are concerned that Thiele's dismissal could signal a shift in the direction of state policy.
Dion said the rulemaking process has been slower than expected, but he doesn't think things are on hold.
"If there was a shift in policy, I would think there would be some communication," he said.
Rep. Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea, who has strongly favored expanding Maine's medical marijuana program and who drafted last year's bill that made patient registration voluntary, said she would be disappointed if the new rules are shelved.
Sanderson had not heard about Thiele's dismissal by Sunday. When told, she said she was shocked.
"I have no idea why he would be let go," she said.
Dion said several people asked Thiele on Friday about his dismissal, but Thiele did not offer much information.
"I think he plans to appeal the decision," Dion said.
Thiele has been the public face of Maine's medical marijuana program for the last year, but has worked in the licensing division for a number of years, Dion said. His ouster is the latest in a long line of DHHS personnel shakeups since Gov. Paul LePage was elected in 2010.
Thiele's predecessor, Catherine Cobb, stepped down last November about a month after she was placed on leave as part of a managerial review. In October of last year, the state's former welfare director, Barbara Van Burgel, was let go. She later said she was pushed out by the new administration.
Others who have left DHHS in the past two years include James Beogher, director of the Child and Family Services program, Don Chamberlain and Ron Welch of the Adult Mental Health Services program, Diana Scully of the Elder Services program, Jane Gallivan of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities, and Anthony Marple, head of MaineCareServices.
Monday, November 12th, 2012
State's chief medical marijuana overseer says he's been fired[/h][h=3]John Thiele may have been terminated for being 'too friendly' to medical marijuana interests[/h]By Eric Russell [email protected]
Staff Writer
The head of Maine's medical marijuana program announced at a public meeting that he has been terminated from his position, according to two people who attended the meeting.
John Thiele, who worked in the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services, broke the news Friday at a Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine event, in advance of the group's Home Grown Maine exposition Saturday in Portland.
"This is not good news for Maine's medical marijuana program," said Chris Kenoyer, a licensed caregiver who attended the meeting. Kenoyer said Thiele was "very responsive and respectful" and was the go-to person for questions about state laws on the subject.
Rep. Mark Dion, who worked with Thiele both as a lawmaker and as an attorney who represents medical marijuana caregivers, confirmed that Thiele had been let go.
"I had actually heard it in the community sometime in the last week," the Portland Democrat said Sunday. "I always thought he was helpful, prompt. I was surprised."
Neither Thiele nor his boss, DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew, returned calls for comment Sunday. The department has not announced Thiele's dismissal.
Kenoyer said the reason Thiele gave for his dismissal on Friday was that he had become "too friendly with patients and caregivers."
Dion characterized things slightly differently: "There was thought that he was acting more as a social worker than a regulator," he said.
In a post advertising Saturday's event on the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine website, Thiele was listed as "the patient-friendly former director of the Maine DHHS medical use of marijuana program."
Maine voters legalized marijuana for medical purposes through a citizens' initiative in 1999, but the program has undergone a significant expansion in the past few years. In 2009, voters overwhelmingly passed a law that created nonprofit marijuana dispensaries, allowed certified caregivers to grow marijuana for as many as five patients and expanded the acceptable conditions under which a patient could be certified.
By most estimates, the program has grown considerably, although the state has no way to track the number of medical marijuana patients.
Another new law, passed last year, made registration voluntary, so there is no way to know how many patients have been certified or how many doctors are certifying patients. Some have argued that fewer restrictions have made the system ripe for abuse, especially because one of the new conditions -- intractable pain -- is subjective.
Maine doctors now have sole discretion about whether to certify patients, and some are becoming de facto specialists. Dr. Dustin Sulak, a Falmouth medical marijuana practitioner, told the Portland Press Herald last month that he had certified "thousands" of patients. His practice even offered student discounts for medical marijuana evaluations.
In an interview with the Press Herald about a month ago, Thiele said that even though the program had become less regulated in recent years, it was well-run. He also said his office recently drafted new rules to improve the program further, but it doesn't appear those rules have been implemented yet.
Kenoyer said he and other medical marijuana advocates are concerned that Thiele's dismissal could signal a shift in the direction of state policy.
Dion said the rulemaking process has been slower than expected, but he doesn't think things are on hold.
"If there was a shift in policy, I would think there would be some communication," he said.
Rep. Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea, who has strongly favored expanding Maine's medical marijuana program and who drafted last year's bill that made patient registration voluntary, said she would be disappointed if the new rules are shelved.
Sanderson had not heard about Thiele's dismissal by Sunday. When told, she said she was shocked.
"I have no idea why he would be let go," she said.
Dion said several people asked Thiele on Friday about his dismissal, but Thiele did not offer much information.
"I think he plans to appeal the decision," Dion said.
Thiele has been the public face of Maine's medical marijuana program for the last year, but has worked in the licensing division for a number of years, Dion said. His ouster is the latest in a long line of DHHS personnel shakeups since Gov. Paul LePage was elected in 2010.
Thiele's predecessor, Catherine Cobb, stepped down last November about a month after she was placed on leave as part of a managerial review. In October of last year, the state's former welfare director, Barbara Van Burgel, was let go. She later said she was pushed out by the new administration.
Others who have left DHHS in the past two years include James Beogher, director of the Child and Family Services program, Don Chamberlain and Ron Welch of the Adult Mental Health Services program, Diana Scully of the Elder Services program, Jane Gallivan of Adults with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities, and Anthony Marple, head of MaineCareServices.
maineyankee
Active Member
Heaven forbid !! But as you stated, there has to be more to it than what is currently being stated. I do find it kind of ironic though, that this position has been through Catherine Cobb and now John in such a very short time.
In reading the article, I have so much to say, but will leave my opinions to myself at this point. The only statement that I will make is ... I know personally of someone who has nothing wrong, and was approved as a "patient". I know that there are people out there that play the game, but this is going to make it a lot harder down the road for those that have a legitimate case.
I hope that the program moves forward and remains positive to those in need.
God Bless. and God Bless America !
In reading the article, I have so much to say, but will leave my opinions to myself at this point. The only statement that I will make is ... I know personally of someone who has nothing wrong, and was approved as a "patient". I know that there are people out there that play the game, but this is going to make it a lot harder down the road for those that have a legitimate case.
I hope that the program moves forward and remains positive to those in need.
God Bless. and God Bless America !
tet1953
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I agree that there are plenty of people getting certified who probably don't really qualify. But who are we to judge, if there's a doc willing to put it on the line to do it? Besides, with what happened in CO and WA last week, it appears that mmj may be a stepping stone.
Regarding John, I believe the article is incorrect about one point. Cobb was director of the Lic and Reg dept of DHHS. John worked for Cobb. They did not have the same position.
Regarding John, I believe the article is incorrect about one point. Cobb was director of the Lic and Reg dept of DHHS. John worked for Cobb. They did not have the same position.
jujubee
Active Member
pretty much
jujubee
Active Member
This Chris Kenoyer?
https://www.rollitup.org/toke-n-talk/131949-chris-kenoyer-onlinepot-org-turns.html
Looks like he is in Portland.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/websites/chris-kenoyer-online/chris-kenoyer-onlinepot-org-385ef.htm
http://www.wabi.tv/news/35154/confu...e-of-maine-medical-marijuana-program-director
Confusion Surrounds The Departure Of Maine Medical Marijuana Program Director
by Rob Poindexter - November 12th 2012 11:46am - Read more Local News
Augusta - The head of Maine's medical marijuana program is out of a job today, but the circumstances surrounding his departure remain unclear.
John Thiele, who served as Program Director for the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program for the Department of Health and Human Services the past two years, told attendees at a Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine event Friday that he had been let go.
According to the Associated Press, Representative Mark Dion of Portland, who worked with Thiele as a lawmaker and a lawyer who represents medical marijuana caregivers, said he was surprised by Thiele's dismissal, but he said some people in the department thought Thiele was acting more like a social worker than a regulator.
TV5 spoke with Kenneth Albert, Director of the Division of Licensing & Regulatory Services, which controls Maine's medical marijuana program, and he calls Thiele's claims of being let go "inaccurate." Albert claims Thiele resigned from his position. Albert would not elaborate on the situation saying "this is a human resources matter and I cannot get into it."
We also spoke with John Thiele by phone Monday. He was tight lipped about the situation except to say he is going through an appeals process and is "attempting to remain as an employee with the Department of Health and Human Services."
A source close to the situation says Thiele did resign, then tried to rescind his resignation, but DHHS officials would not initially allow him to take back his resignation.
Members of the medical marijuana community say they're sad to see Thiele go. Chris Kenoyer, a medical marijuana advocate, says Thiele's departure could mean a shakeup of Maine's medical marijuana program as it's currently constituted. "John has been doing a great job helping the last two years to get the program up and running," Kenoyer said. "He helped everyone get set up with the correct and proper paperwork and answered any questions when we needed assistance."
Maine Brookies
Active Member
Cathy Cobb was the head of DHHS Division of Licensing a Regulatory Services (DLRS), not the MMJ program itself. The headlines involving her departure were confusing in that they referenced her as head of the MMJ program, which she really wasn't. Word on the street has it that the headlines about her dismissal linked her to the MMJ program because of improprieties in licensing dispensaries.
