State picks 9 new pot dispensaries

Nine new cannabis dispensary locations were announced Tuesday, including ones in Stamford, Westport, Meriden and New Haven, virtually doubling the medical marijuana program.

The state Department of Consumer Protection’s approval of the dispensaries will serve nearly 30,450 patients.

The new locations will join the nine existing pharmacist-led dispensaries and four producers in what is regarded as one of the leading medical-cannabis programs in the country.

Michelle H. Seagull, commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection, which administers the program, said that the number of patients has more than tripled since the last dispensary licenses were awarded nearly three years ago.

“This program has been thoughtfully expanded since the bill was signed in 2012 and medication became available to patients in 2014,” Seagull said in a statement “Originally, there were only 11 conditions that would qualify adults for medication, and there were very few patients. Today, there are 31 conditions for adults, eight for patients under 18, and over

1,000 certifying practitioners.”

The General Assembly’s Regulation Review Committee approved new ailments for inclusion in the program, including the intractable headaches of migraine sufferers.

In total, 73 applications were received for the expansion.

The winners are: Bhadra Seva, 2280 Berlin Turnpike, Newington; GR Vending CT LLC,

78 Plaza Court, Groton; Willow Brook Wellness LLC, 1371 East Main St., Meriden; Tedra Health LLC, 1768 Storrs Road, Mansfield; C-3 Ventures LLC, 3568 Winsted Road, Torrington; Arrow Alternative Care No. 3, 806 East Main St., Stamford; Bluepoint Wellness of Westport LLC, 1460 Post Road East, Westport; FFD Central LLC, 1548 West Main St., Windham; and Affinity Health & Wellness Inc. 1351 Whalley Ave., New Haven

The new dispensaries need to pay license fees and submit final documents within two weeks, and have a 180-day deadline to build, open and serve patients.

More information about the state’s medical marijuana program can be found by visiting the Department of Consumer Protection.