As rows of tall, green marijuana plants dominate the nearby growing room, putrid smells drifted in the air.
Mark June-Wells, lead scientist at CT Pharmaceutical Solutions dismissed the notion that the skunky whiff comes from the leafy plants. The odor really comes from jars filled with waxy brown substances inside the laboratory that had been extracted from marijuana plants to treat patients of varying serious illnesses. One jar of the goo-looking substance contained enough medicine to cover a cancer patient’s entire year.
The facility of CT Pharmaceutical is a mix of an office, laboratory and warehouse, including an indoor marijuana growing operation where June-Wells focuses on expanding research into the drug. Although marijuana has been legalized for medical purposes in 23 states, including New York and Connecticut, there are growing and dispensing hurdles to consider since marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
CT Pharmaceutical Solutions is a Connecticut-based marijuana manufacturing facility which the state of New York approved last year. New York approved five manufacturing companies last month, and they are expected to start supplying patients with the drug by January 1, 2016.
Business leaders, doctors, scientists and other stake-holders promoting improved medical marijuana studies describe their efforts as a battle against the “Wild West” or daring-do approach in states legalizing or those that have legalized the drug for recreational use, such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Dr. Kyle Kingsley, CEO of Empire State Health Solutions, in addressing his plans to partner with hospitals and universities in New York to promote marijuana studies also cited that their strategy differs from the “Wild West” system of legalization in California and Colorado.
New York’s medical marijuana law is arguably the most rigorous in terms of patient access. Among others, NY law bans smokeable versions of the drug and patients are essentially restricted to using cannabis-based oils, vapors and pills. Advocate groups working for the interests of patients, are working on expanding the list of eligible diseases in New York, as well as the forms of cannabis-based drugs available.
Marijuana is being used by cancer and AIDS patients for pain relief and appetite stimulation and also to reduce seizures among epileptics. Kurt Smith, 37, suffered a spinal injury in a car accident and he has been using medical marijuana through Connecticut’s program. Smith cited that his quality of life, especially the lessening of negative side effects, has vastly improved after his transition from opiate-based painkillers, like Vicodin, to cannabis-based drugs.