Patrick in Denial, Calls Pot License Process "Terrific"

BOSTON — Governor Deval Patrick says the medical marijuana application process has been “terrific” and “transparent,” while appearing on a TV talk show. Contrary to Patrick’s spin, the media has reached a different conclusion.

Governor Deval Patrick:

“This is a process that has been remarkably and wonderfully transparent, a set of regulations that has been called the model for the nation. The process has been terrific…there are going to be winners and losers and there are opportunities for the losers to challenge those decisions and that’s apart of what makes the process high integrity as well.” (On the Record, 2/16/14).

The Media:

“Medical marijuana was always a divisive idea, but last week will be remembered as the moment it became a full-fledged fiasco.” (The Boston Globe, Medical marijuana off to rocky start, By Adrian Walker, 2/17/14).

“As a result, House Speaker Robert DeLeo is belatedly concerned, and health regulators are now asking companies that received the licenses to submit sworn statements that their applications were truthful. Isn’t truthfulness something regulators should be checking for in the first place?” (The Boston Glove, Smoke clouds Bill Delahunt’s big score, By Joan Vennochi, 2/16/14).

“A medical marijuana business planning to open in Boston’s Back Bay provided false information to state regulators in its license application, erroneously claiming to have support from state legislators and the district’s city councilor.” (The Boston Globe, Headed to Boston, marijuana firm admits to errors By Kay Lazar and Shelley Murphy, 2/12/14).

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