Columbia Care

Columbia Care is launching a new controlled-dose, solid-filled medical marijuana pill that will be the first of its kind in the nation.

Medical marijuana's recent legalization is personal for Columbia Care's CEO, who helped his mother overcome her debilitating arthritis pain with a topical balm.

Suffolk County's only medical marijuana dispensary is aiming for an opening date of January 17 at an East Main Street medical office building.

Residents of the Millbrook Gables community, across the road from a new proposed location for a medical marijuana dispensary in Riverhead, are objecting to the site.

The dozens of protesters who turned out at Town Hall last night all came with the same message: any longer of a wait would be too long for the patients in need of a life-saving, life-changing medication.

A medical marijuana dispensary in Riverhead would send the wrong message to the town's youth, according to the director of Riverhead CAP, a drug and alcohol prevention group that is deeply involved in the Riverhead Central School District.

Facing Riverhead officials' insistence that the former Blockbuster Video site on Route 58 is inappropriate for a medical marijuana dispensary, Columbia Care officials agreed to explore alternatives.

But Riverhead officials agreed to meet Thursday with representatives of Columbia Care NY to discuss concerns about the medical marijuana dispensary proposed for the former Blockbuster Video site on Route 58.

The Rt. 58 former Blockbuster Video site, not far from Riverhead High School, may not be appropriate, board members say. The town wants to revisit its master plan in light of the new state law.

“I don’t have a problem with medical marijuana,” said Councilwoman Jodi Giglio. “I have a problem with not knowing the impact on the Riverhead community."