GEORGETOWN — The supervisor of a local medicinal marijuana dispensary fears a potential backlash from lawmakers after U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling released a statement saying although the drug is legal statewide, it's still prohibited at the federal level.
Healthy Pharms Inc. at 401 E. Main St. is a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary for registered Massachusetts patients. Serving mainly the Merrimack Valley and Essex County, it is the only shop close enough for Greater Newburyport residents to obtain prescriptions. Other medical shops are in Methuen and Peabody.
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"We stand alone out here," said Derek Stewart, the dispensary supervisor at Healthy Pharms. "The closest one is probably 45 minutes away."
With this in mind, Stewart said there is a great need for the Georgetown location to remain open. But, according to his statement, Lelling has other plans.
Lelling said Monday that while he understands residents voted to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, he "cannot provide assurances that certain categories of participants in the state-level marijuana trade will be immune from federal prosecution."
