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View Full Version : Compassion Center's - Whose the Best???


theccman
02-15-2011, 03:43 PM
I would like to use this thread to get your input on the compassion center applicants you've read before I publish my findings. If you've read, want to know more or have an opinion that is constructive, I'd like to hear about it. I may even quote you in my article if your cool with that.

I usually only get on here a couple to a few times a week so please forgive me if I don't reply right away. I will make a an honey effort to check it daily over the next week so please be patient.

Yes, I have read all the applications. I have over 20 years experience starting/operating businesses as well as that many years writing/reviewing busness plans too. I value your input and if you have specific question concerning points in the applications themselve all I ask is that you refer a centain page or section in the application pertaining to the question in hand.

To view them goto:

Medical Marijuana Information for Compassion Center Applicants: Rhode Island Department of Health (http://www.health.ri.gov/healthcare/medicalmarijuana/for/compassioncenters/)

click on:
Applications Accepted For Review-

Thanks for your help!!!!:thumbsup:

Best,

The Compassionate Cannabis Man....:hippy:
theccman
02-18-2011, 06:29 PM
These are just my opinions, please do your own research and read some of the applicants if you really want to do the homework. I put together a small sampling covering, what I believe, to be the most important factors concerning the successful selection of a viable candidate to open one of the first three compassion centers.

Each two to three page brochure will help you get a good look at each applicant so you can choose for yourself. I suggest you write directly to the Department of Health Director. All it would take is about 100 to 1000 letters and we can change the direction of who get selected for the center!!!! You never know?

So here??s the first two in order that I read them one the application checklist on this thread and decided they had merit based on my own experience as a patient with growing experience, and lengthy knowledge, as well as a person who owned their own business consulting and plan writing firm??s for more than a decade... But don??t take my word for it, no matter how smart someone says they are, you should always do your homework. Check my findings, if I am wrong, please correct me. I hate being that guy?lol

Plan #1

Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, Inc.

All information on this report is taken from:
http://www.health.ri.gov/applications/submitted/compassioncenter/Greenleaf.pdf
Application satisfied all basic requirements
Great detail showed they could write a plan, run a business/nonprofit and understand basics of operating a compassion center?
Was approximately 234 pages
All Organic Strains ?? A good quality meds
1) $35/eighth ounce ‐‐ standard strains.
2) $45/eighth ounce ‐‐ premium strains.
3) $55 and up/eighth ounce ‐‐ supreme strains.
They have great discounts for patients with families, on disability etc? with different price tiers per income level on page P.140 of the plan.

No real payment tier system for other patients, standardized prices, NO MENTION OF FUTURE PRICE REDUCTIONS???

No Pharmacy Like Environment??? No addiction specialists on hand to help determine if one is having any problems???

Have Patient Care Experience.

Only mention of a Horticulture BS who??s a caregiver and owns a nursery as well as a couple other members who are somewhat experienced in growing MM. - No real mentions of substantial grow experience or any indication that they can produce a pharmaceutical grade marijuana grow or marijuana = How Good Are Your Med??s Really!?!

??Dectective Mike Rego (Ret.) will be our on‐site security and safety consultant is Retired Newport narcotics detective??? ?? How does that qualify to handle a Level 1 Controlled substance, finding it manufactured illegally maybe, but protecting it has never been his forte now has it? If it has, then we have much bigger problems to worry about don??t we?lol You need someone with higher level security experience, not detective experience.

WHAT THEY WANT TO DO
 Wants?? to sell hemp clothing?
 Delivery ?? no security protocols listed
 Both Grow Room and Compassion Center (CC)- CC sounds like it is going to have display cases to showcase meds = Not A Pharmacy Like Environment???
 Has Town support and approval, as well as, letters of support from state politicians.
 Have more than one member who has contacts with professionals that can prescribe MM. ??Medical Doctor who co‐founded the largest primary care practice in this state? is one of them???
 Have several State Rep??s approval
 Had believable start-up cost though a little high?
??The financing plan has been crafted to carefully use the $400,000 funding to sustain expenses in the start‐up and operating periods within the ramp‐up year. Greenleaf estimates that $200,000 will be allocated in satisfying the following start‐up expenses:
? Design and fit‐out of co‐located horticultural and dispensary facilities ‐ $120,000
? Security modifications and apparatus ‐ $20,000
? Fixtures, office equipment/furniture, and installation ‐ $17,500
? Payroll ‐ $16,000
? Growing supplies and products ‐ $5,000
? Computer hardware and software ‐ $5,000
? Starting inventory for non‐medical marijuana retail sales ‐ $5,000
? Legal and other professional fees ‐ $4,000
? Promotion and outreach ‐ $3,000
? Education materials, stationery, displays ‐ $2,000
? Rental security deposit ‐ $1,500
? Signage ‐ $1,000
These funds will be spent in the period between the Certificate award date and the Center??s opening. The remaining $200,000 in available capital will sustain Greenleaf through the 8‐9 months of Center operations within the ramp‐up year.?

??Greenleaf will initially be open Monday thru Friday 12 to 7 PM and Saturdays 12 to 4PM. As demand increases the hours of operation will reflect the needs of our patient base.?

??PROFIT & LOSS
Sales:
? Monthly straight‐line increase in sales of $3,640 per 10 new Patients.
? Ramp‐Up Year total projected sales of $142,280
? Year Two total projected sales of $661,020
? Year Three total projected sales of $1,198,140

Cost of Sales*:
? Year One total expenses $445,888
? Year Two total expenses $620,100
? Year Three total Expenses $912,712
Net Revenue Year Three: $285,428

(*Cost of Sales includes start‐up debt and interest repayment.)

Number of Patients 133 333 533
Number of Visits 3,182 7,992 12,792?
X $45 a visit = $143,190 so these numbers are believable and conservatitive

http://www.health.ri.gov/applications/submitted/compassioncenter/Greenleaf.pdf

??9.1 Business Goals
Short Range Goals
1) To be awarded the first Compassionate Care Center permit in Rhode Island.
2) To satisfy our obligation to operate as a non‐profit for the benefit of patients.
3) To cultivate superb organic medical‐grade marijuana of multiple strains.
4) To build an operation that satisfies the demands of our patient base.
5) To engender community trust by working with local officials and law enforcement.
6) To exceed our gross income projection of $1,000,00 by the end of the third year of operation.
7) To educate patients and health care workers about the benefits and risks of medical
marijuana.

Long Range Goals
1) To maintain our patient oriented mission without compromising quality and integrity.
2) To expand our retail component and develop brand recognition
3) To exceed one million dollars in sales by the end of our second year of operation.
4) To promote and lobby for the medical marijuana and hemp industries
5) TO EXPAND OUR COMPASSIONATE CARE CENTER TO OFFER ADJUNCTIVE SPA SERVICES.?

PLAN #2:thumbsup:

Hope Apothecary

All information on this report is taken from, ??http://www.health.ri.gov/applications/submitted/compassioncenter/HopeApothecary.pdf?
Application satisfied all basic requirements
Insane amount of detail showed beyond a benefit of a doubt that they could write a plan, run a business/nonprofit and understand basics of operating a compassion center and pharmaceutical grade grow room and pharmacy like environment?
Was approximately 423 pages
Hydroponically Organically Grown ?? All good quality Meds
??Tier 1 ?? Full price ?? All patients not able to prove tier two or three qualification
(example individual income more than $36,000 or family income more than $57,657)
? year 1=$275 per ounce before tax
? year 2=$ 250 per ounce before tax
? year 3=$250 per ounce before tax
Tier 2 ?? Reduced Price ?? Patients below mid quintile of income, adjusted for RI (example individual income less than $36,000 or family income less than $57,657)
? year 1=$200 per ounce before tax
? year 2=$150 per ounce before tax
? year 3=$150 per ounce before tax
Tier 3 ?? Low Income Price ?? Patients in lowest quintile of income, adjusted for RI (example individual income less than $19,178)
? year 1=$125 per ounce before tax
? year 2=$75 per ounce before tax
? year 3=$75 per ounce before tax
Tier 4 ?? No Income/Indigent Patients ?? Patients with no income or income below one-half of lowest quintile of income, adjusted for RI
(example individual income less than $9,589)
? Year 1=not in existence yet
? Year 2=5% of sales set aside as FREE
? Year 3=10% of sales set aside as FREE?

They have great discounts for patients with families, on disability etc? with different price tiers per income level and great pricing outline around page P.58 of the plan.

Have Patient Care Experience and a Clinical Psychologist on board.

Has experience ??professionally building and validating (according to FDA standards)
Bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and is a mechanical engineer with specialties in process and chemical engineering, supervising the building out of security systems, cultivation facilities, clean rooms and equipment all documented according to FDA Good Documentation Practices, chemistry, and master gardening experience.?

??A retired United States Air Force Chief of Security to handle experience in Security Details protecting resources such as nuclear weapons, Stealth Bombers, Air Force Two, and has worked for Homeland Security, VIP security details were protecting the Vice President, a General, and large munitions caches, etc??

??Compassion Center Manager experienced in detailed project design, implementation and management, experience with vendors, inventory processes as well as her experiences managing client accounts, records, and documentation. She has worked for large biopharmaceutical companies such as Wyeth, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Amgen, as well as working within the financial services industry in client and account management.?


WHAT THEY WANT TO DO
 Offer a Pharmacy like environment, selling just meds, with alternative methods of taking MM beyond smoke and edibles. Eg. Patch, liquid drops, vaporizers, etc.
 No intention of offering alternative therapies, apparel or classes outside of MM
 Delivery ?? Done according to the DEA Controlled Substance Security Manual via Armored Car to CC and courier service of limited quantity to patients.
 Grow Room and Compassion Center (CC) are it two completely separate geographical locations.
 Has Town support and approval, no letter from politicians.
 Has no members who have direct contact w/professionals the can prescribe MM.
 Numbers we all pretty sold go to P.186 for patient assumptions, P.197 for Operating Budget to get an idea if you want more details?
 Every point and decision is supported/documented by tons of research to justify decision of organization.

THEIR ONLY GOAL OTHER THAN GETTING ONE OF THE FIRST LICENSES IS TO PROVIDE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE MM AT AFFORDABLE PRICES WHILE HELPING PATIENTS FIND NEW SAFE, EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE WAY TO ELIMINATE PAIN WITHOUT THE ADDICTIVE AND NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS COMMONLY ASSOCIATE WITH PAIN MEDICINE.

Coming Next...

Thomas Slater, Summit and One more????:cool:

Feel free to let the RI MM community know what you think, please write to the DOH - Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, 3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908 and tell him who you think and why in one page or less so we can help choose the one's we know are best!!!

Or, you can email him at: Contact Us: Rhode Island Department of Health (http://www.health.ri.gov/contactus/)

Let's help make a change for the better, even if only one person besides me did this, it would make a world of difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup::hippy:;)