BOSTON NAMED ONE OF THE ‘MOST LIVABLE’ CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

BOSTON NAMED ONE OF THE ‘MOST LIVABLE’ CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

U.S. Conference of Mayors Announce 2015 City Livability Award Winners, Boston’s ‘Youth Lead the Change’ Tops List

BOSTON— Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that Boston has been awarded first place in the 2015 City Livability Awards Program, which took place during The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 83rd Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

The 2015 City Livability Award recognized mayoral leadership in developing and implementing programs that improve the quality of life in America’s cities, focusing on the leadership, creativity and innovation demonstrated by mayors. This year’s winning cities were selected by former mayors from a pool of over 200 applicants.

“​I am honored to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the City of Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "We’re involving our youngest and brightest residents in local government, and empowering them to make positive changes in their neighborhoods​. ​I am proud we were able to ​challenge young people to ​think ​​critically ​about how to spend taxpayer dollars in a way that better serves the people. This fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability​; and they walk away knowing their voices matter.”

This is the 36th year in which cities have competed for the award, which is sponsored by the Conference of Mayors and Waste Management, Inc., the nation’s largest environmental solutions provider. Boston was recognized for its “Youth Lead the Change Program,” which aims to create a foundation of trust and collaboration between city officials and the youth in the surrounding community. The program, entirely youth-led, puts young people aged 12-25 in direct control over $1 million of the city budget. View video, here: https://vimeo.com/131215784.

Over 1,550 youth participated in the 2014 program, and seven projects were funded, including park renovations, art wall construction, sidewalk improvements, and a skate park feasibility study. This year, over 2,500 youth participated in the program and voted on how funding should be allocated.

"This is a process designed by and for young people,” said Shari Davis, Director of the City’s Department of Youth Engagement and Employment. “One big piece of Youth Lead the Change’s success is creating real opportunities for youth participation. We were able to do that by meeting young people where they are, building relationships, and allowing them to be the experts that we know they are in spaces where they are safe and comfortable."

For more information about 'Youth Lead the Change' and this year’s winning projects, please visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/news/Default.aspx?id=20158.

About The United States Conference of Mayors

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors.

For Passengers Heading to Asia, Logan is Your Airport

For Passengers Heading to Asia, Logan is Your Airport

Hainan Nonstop Flight to Shanghai Starts Today

BOSTON –Hainan Airlines and Massport officials celebrated the first nonstop arrival from Shanghai today at Logan International Airport. In March, Hainan announced Boston would become the airlines’ first U.S. city with service to Shanghai. The service is scheduled on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner three days a week - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with afternoon times. The new flight complements the carrier’s existing nonstop Boston-Beijing service. With this new route, passengers at Logan can now reach three destinations in China as well as Tokyo, Japan and Istanbul, Turkey.

“Partnerships like this are terrific for Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. “By gaining new international flights, the Commonwealth is able to compete for more international business opportunities and travel options for our citizens, stimulating economic growth across the region.”

Boston is the largest U.S.-Shanghai air travel market without nonstop service, and Shanghai is Boston’s largest unserved international market, with more than 76,000 passengers travelling between the two cities last year. The total Boston-Shanghai air travel market has grown 48% since 2010, and is expected to grow more as a result of this nonstop service. Since May, Boston to Beijing service on Hainan Airlines has operated daily.

“One year ago, we were celebrating with Hainan their new nonstop Beijing service. And this year, we are thrilled to once again have something to celebrate – this time a new nonstop flight to Shanghai,’’ said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “I want to thank the business community and Massport’s Asia Task Force for their support in making Hainan’s Boston ventures here such a success.’’

Hainan Airlines just won the Skytrax 5-star airline quality award for the 5^th year in a row. The flight time is approximately 15 hours westbound and 14 hours eastbound. Connections with Hainan’s airline partners, including JetBlue in its Boston hub, allow travelers to connect to and from the new service from points throughout the U.S. and Canada.

In Boston, as well as in Shanghai, with advance reservations, premium passengers are treated to complimentary private chauffeured car service both on arrival and departure. Shanghai’s Pudong Airport also features a Maglev train that speeds travel between the airport and the city.

On board Hainan’s airplanes, business class passengers can relax in luxurious seats that convert into a fully flat bed and feature a turn-down service complete with fluffy pillows, fine cotton sheets and a duvet, pajamas and slippers. Gourmet Chinese or Western cuisine and wines are served on fine china, glassware and linens; customers may choose when they wish to dine. Freshly brewed espresso and a selection of teas are available. Amenity kits feature famous Bulgari® cosmetics. A state of the art entertainment system offers over 100 movies, audio selections and games on demand.

第九屆全球華文網路教育研討會 6/19 在MIT揭幕 11國300人參加

   第九屆全球華文網路教育研討會與會者在麻省理工學院大門外合影。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導)僑委會主辦的「第九屆全球華文網路教育研討會(ICICE9)」昨（19）日在僑委會副委員長信世昌親臨致詞的隆重中，在麻省理工學院學生中心召開，包括澳洲，紐西蘭等來自11個國家的280人，將在3日會期中探討「華語文教學與科技結合之方向與省思」。

  右起，阮鴻燦，張禮能，鄧津華，信世昌，Bernd Widdig，
黃子安，賴銘琪，馬滌凡等人在主席台上致詞。（周菊子攝）

            昨日的開幕式由洪青體育會的舞獅，中華公所的揚琴演奏，紐英崙客家鄉親會的客家舞拉開序幕。

            僑委會副委員長信世昌，麻省理工學院國際事務主任Bernd Widdig，麻省理工學院亞洲文明教授鄧津華（Emma Teng)，麻州眾議員黃子安，劍橋市議員張禮能（Leland Chang），駐波士頓經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，僑務委員馬滌凡等人為開幕致詞。總統府資政江宜樺與妻子李淑珍應邀到會，坐在觀眾席中以示支持。

            曾任師大華語文教學教授的信世昌，昨日簡述“全球華文網路教育研討會”的誕生，來到美國，從西岸來到東岸，選擇麻省理工學院做合作單位的緣由。他笑稱並不是因為MIT和“台灣製造（made in Taiwan）“同名，而是因為麻省理工學院在應用網路科技學習，教授上，都在世界上處於領導地位。

   總統府資政江宜樺，李淑珍夫婦和協辦會議的新英格蘭
中文學校協會會長陳式儀合影。（周菊子攝）

            Bernd Widdig認為麻省理工學院的確是召開這會議的絕佳地點，因為該校要求所有學生選修一整年的藝術，文化等社會科學課程，中文是其中最受歡迎的一項課程，有不下360人選修。他認為MIT是數位學習方面的領導者，首先開創免費開放課程，善於把科技整合進語言及文化學習，校內華裔學生很多等等，是主要原因。他指出，該校學生45%是國際學生，有42%的教授非美國出生，來自中國大陸及台灣的學生約660，其中200人為博士後。他更指出，MIT早從1910年就成立有華人學生會。

僑委會副委員長信世昌（中）說明選在MIT舉行會議的原因。
右為麻省理工學院教授鄧津華，左為Bernd Widdig。（周菊子攝）

  司儀介紹麻省理工學院中文項目負責人廖灝翔（中）。（周菊子攝）

            鄧津華教授的父親鄧守信是台灣華語文研究中心的創辦人。她用中文表達歡迎之意後，從歷史角度闡述MIT和華人世界的關係，指出MIT早從1861年創辦成立起，就因為當年的中國貿易（China Trade）和中國有頗密切往來，還派學者到清華大學任教。1877年時，第一個來自中國的學生在MIT註冊上學，修讀機械工程，接著中國政府開始送大批學生到MIT 學新技術與科學。如今麻省理工學院仍然是中國及台灣學生中最受歡迎的學府之一。1910年，MIT 組成第一個中國學生會，在校內備受矚目，1912年時，中國學生俱樂部舉辦了一場“中國夜”，吸引來不下300名學生、教授欣賞。1914年時，MIT還和哈佛，衛斯理學院的中國學生攜手，在柯普利會社（Copley Society）演出“西遊記”，其中的一名演員是蔣宋美齡。那些年代的中國學生，有很重要的科學成就。1913年時，在MIT就讀的周厚坤為中國學者發明了寫書法用的墨條，三年後再發明了世界上第一台中文打字機。到1991年時，MIT的中國語文老師還和校內科學家，工程師們，在中文語音識別上，做出前衛的重要貢獻。

          張禮能表示，要防止當年蘇聯做為強權國家，對世界造成的影響，就要促進國家，人民之間的互相了解。中文老師們的工作，對促進世界和平，有很大貢獻。

紐英崙客家鄉親會表演客家舞。（周菊子攝）

            賴銘琪強調政府一向積極推廣華語文及文化教育，不但補助海外團體辦理中文教育，2014年在20個國家補助了354名外國學生，300名學者到台灣學習華語，研究文化。

            昨日在開幕式後，僑委會副委員長信世昌親自主持了第一場專題演講。馬來西亞南方大學藝術與設計學院院長暨中文系主任蔡治禮以“數碼狂潮中華語文教育的全球新定位”為題，從教育政策，人口遷移，社會結構，經濟勢力，數碼科技這幾方面做探討。他以新加坡，馬來西亞為例，指出華語文教學面對的挑戰包括國際情勢雖改變，內部環境未好轉，重應輕華殖民心態仍在，數碼狂潮泛濫成災，全球語文面臨危害等等。

            麻省理工學院中文項目負責人廖灝翔在開幕式後表示，台灣的華語文教學，以往偏向中小學，這次和大學接軌，對雙方來說都是很令人興奮的發展。在三日會期中，包括哈佛等，多個大學院校的中文項目負責人將發表論文，演講，很讓人期待。

「第九屆全球華文網路教育研討會」將從6月19日至21日，在麻省理工學院史特拉登學生中心（Stratton Student Center）舉行。地址為77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, U.S.A。查詢，可上網http://www.ocac.net/icice2015/。

冼卓豪、林澤富、蘇宇寅成立AEF 助年輕人圓創業夢

左起，林澤富，冼卓豪，蘇宇寅等三人創辦“亞裔創業基金
（AEF）”。（周菊子攝）

           （Boston Orange 周菊子布魯克蘭鎮報導）三名年輕人創辦的“亞裔創業基金（Asian Entrepreneurship Foundation，簡稱AEF）”，六月十七日晚在布魯克蘭鎮的一家餐廳正式啟動，三十多名年輕人熱絡交流，尋找未來創業路上彼此扶持的夥伴。

            創業熱近年在全世界各地風起雲湧，大波士頓內的亞裔年輕人，早被吹得心癢難熬，紛紛闖進創業圈，卻幾乎都遭遇到各式各樣問題。遇到對的人幫忙，撐下來的，就逐步發展，摸不著頭緒的，傷心斷羽而歸。

  三十多人出席“亞裔創業基金”的啟動夜聯誼活動。（周菊子攝）

            各自創有事業，年紀在廿八至三十五歲之間的冼卓豪，林澤富，蘇宇寅，在亞美專業人士協會（NAAAP）的波士頓分會中認識，主持該會的創業小組一段時間後，萌生構想，希望從創業者思維的角度出發，推對亞裔在美國社會各方面的地位。

            他們在創辦宗旨中指出，在美國的權力圈中幾乎不見亞裔蹤跡。儘管亞裔佔美國總人口至少5%，但是無論政界，商界，醫界，學術界，甚至創業界，居領導者地位的，卻只有1%到2%。他們認為，就如在美國開刈包店爆紅，他的非正式自傳還被改編成電視劇“初來乍到（Fresh Off the Boat）“的黃頤銘（Eddie Huang）曾經說的，“人們可能不了解，模範少數的這刻板印象，其實是負面的”。人們被框範了，必須打破那個框，才能找到自己的道路。

            冼卓豪，林澤富，蘇宇寅他們三人希望，把藉由連接，教育，回饋這三重路徑，把創意，熱情和創業精神連起來，幫助亞裔打破刻板印象，給亞裔一個聲音，支持亞裔社區。

            他們計畫做的事情包括舉辦領導力系列，邀請成功的企業家分享經驗，每月舉辦領導力發展工作坊，為高中生辦創業夏令營，製作本地亞裔創業家名錄，為創業家辦聚會，舉辦以創業自傳為重心的讀書會等。

            他們這三人，都才將近三十，或三十出頭。其中的冼卓豪年紀最長，經驗較豐，2012年創辦了Keyshore投資公司。在那之前，他曾任強森強森（Johnson & Johnson）的購買者及營運分析師，使用兩種庫存管理項目，每年開銷因而節省兩百萬元。在2009到2012年間，他曾是波士頓科學公司的助理財務總監，參與管理該公司每年六千萬元預算。

            林澤富從密西根大學的羅斯（Ross）管理學院，取得組織管理博士學位，目前在薩福克大學當管理及創業助理教授，善於檢視如何創造正面的組織文化。他還和人合作創辦了正面領袖（Positive Leader）管理諮詢公司，電子學習思維（e-learning Mind）。

蘇宇寅畢業於巴布森（Babson )學院，做過銷售，卻被解雇。自己創業，竟在三年內把“雞肉飯傢伙（Chicken & Rice Guys ）”，從一輛食物卡車的生意，做到有四輛卡車，再拓展為全面性的餐飲服務，營業每年都成倍增長。

他們三人表示，自己都還年輕，但有一定經驗。他們希望貢獻自己的經驗，幫助更多亞裔踏上成功之路，有他們不懂的，他們能夠和美國小企業行政局（SBA）經濟發展專員伍少武合作，動用SBA的資源，來找答案。他們的遠大理想是要提升整個亞裔社區的在美地位。(標題更新)

網協賀王振榕接會長 寧若蘭獲選為美國總統學者

紐英崙中華資訊網路協會創會理事之一的陳君瑤（中）
在網協會長陶東斌（左）交棒給王振榕（右）後，
交叉握手，以示網協團結一心。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子報導)紐英崙中華資訊網路協會（NECINA）日前舉行年會，表揚28名服務有功會員，恭喜王振榕，田田接正，副會長，表揚創業項目（NEW)，青年創業項目優勝者，開始籌備創會廿週年。

寧若蘭（右）獲美國總統學者獎，應網協之邀分享經驗，
老爸寧可（左）打從心底高興。（周菊子攝

網協卸任會長陶東斌在會上報告了該會過去一年成就，包括辦了六場會議，以及鼓勵創新創業的三大活動“企業家工作坊（NEW）”，“青少年創業服務（YES），“企業家俱樂部（ＥClub）“等。他指出，該會有三十多名幹部義務服務，四千多人加入電郵聯絡名單，在大波士頓社區備受肯定，身為會員者都感與有榮焉。

網協NEW 3.0負責人高弘（左三）恭喜冠亞軍團隊成員。
（周菊子攝）

網協新任會長王振榕三年前才搬到波士頓，加入網協後，結交了一大批好朋友。他坦言參加網協的地方性社交移動科技（Social Local Mobil Tech）會議，幫助他調整了自己的初創公司“夢科技（Dreamech）構想，後來還送兒子參加網協的“青少年服務”項目，接受啟發，磨練。他沒想到自己會當上網協的會長，但很高興有機會回饋，希望在接著的這一年，為網協，社區做更多貢獻。

展望網協來年，王振榕提出七點策略，將力求網協能過做到即時為社區發聲

；藉培訓，招攬新人來建立團隊；要吸收年輕人，並增強他們的能力；要積極和網協董事互動；要和更多夥伴合作；要更有創意的做市場行銷；要讓營運更有效率。

網協幹部大合照。

在年會上，網協還頒發了創業工作坊（NEW）和青少年創業服務（YES）的創業比賽獎。

NEW 3.0冠軍隊領獎。（Harry Gao 提供）

今年由高弘負責，已跨入第三屆的創業工作坊（NEW 3.0），從30多個申請團隊篩選出10個團隊，九個月培訓下來，剩下七隊。結訓時由包括 好天堂（Fairhaven）、東方鏈接（Eastern Link）、策略天使（Strategic Angels）、米天創投（Miti Venture）等四個基金的代表做評審打分，選出實時整合測量觀眾欣賞電視數據，以幫助廣告商更有效找到做廣告對象的Tvision Insights；放進材料就自動做菜的智慧鍋（Smart Wok)、小型智能傳感屏幕(Bi-directional Display)等三隊，發給1500元、1000元及500元不等的獎金。

黃少丹負責的YES 9.0，今年的參加者，起初組織了47個初創團隊，最後由18名學生組成的5個團隊打入決賽。冠軍隊為TidBite。

網協今年的一大喜訊是“虎父無犬子”。YES8.0優勝隊成員之一，網協前會長寧可的女兒寧若蘭，今年獲選為麻州唯一得到美國總統獎的優秀青年。網協特地邀她到年會中分享經驗。

            網協在年會中由董事陸德禮等人頒發了8個新星獎，12個特別貢獻獎，6個會長獎，1個主席獎，表揚過去一年服務傑出的幹部。其中的楊湛萍獲主席獎，馬安琪，王冬霓，戴晨方，高弘，王振榕，黃少丹等人獲會長獎。

            在新年度中，楊湛萍將續任網協總經理。新加入網協的浙江大學校友會會長倪繼紅，應邀出任網協副總經理。

         P. S. 網協2015年會的展示攤位，多達近廿個，包括陳向平的Go Bus，蕭廣松的Hoyos Labs等等。出席者逾120人，當天增加9名新會員。

Baker-Polito Administration Releases FY16 Capital Budget Plan Investing Over $2.125B in Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Development

Baker-Polito Administration Releases FY16 Capital Budget Plan Investing Over $2.125B in Communities, Infrastructure, Economic Development

Plan stabilizes long-range spending, protects taxpayers from future debt

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito administration today released the Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) capital budget, including a $2.125 billion bond cap on General Obligation Bonds, the same level as Fiscal Year 2015, and an accompanying spending plan that invests in communities by budgeting for Chapter 90 transportation funding, extends the Accelerated Bridge Program, makes critical investments in economic development and devotes significant funds toward fixing and maintaining state assets.

The collaborative plan addresses the needs of communities and public sector agencies across state government and invests the taxpayers’ money prudently across several essential areas while responsibly managing the Commonwealth’s debt.

“Communities in every region can count on over $30 million in assistance through grants for vocational schools, cultural facilities, and mutually agreed upon capital projects to build better places to live and work,” said Governor Baker.  “This plan directs more than $200 million in grants for manufacturing job training, MassWorks Infrastructure, Life Sciences Center programs, and funds to grow the innovation hub and dredge Boston Harbor, keeping the Commonwealth ahead of the competition for tomorrow’s jobs.  We are also investing in our transportation infrastructure while prudently managing the people’s money to tackle the Commonwealth’s debt.”

“This plan addresses the balance of meeting our long-term capital needs without crowding out future discretionary spending in our budgets,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore. “We inherited a high demand of capital requests and the added pressure of nearly $29 billion in existing debt authorizations, and we were still able to responsibly invest in several priority areas while ensuring that state government lives within its means in our capital investment strategy.”

Click here to find FY ’16 executive summary.

Click here to find the FY ’16 capital budget.

CAPITAL PLAN HIGHLIGHTS:

·       Fixing and Maintaining Our Assets: The FY16 Capital Investment Plan demonstrates the administration’s commitment to fixing and maintaining the assets we already own by investing in deferred maintenance and infrastructure across multiple agency bond cap allocations.  

·       Economic Development: An emphasis for this year’s plan is on capital projects across the Commonwealth that correlates directly to economic activity. Investments are made in the innovation economy, local infrastructure projects, and training equipment to vocational programs address the skills gap, generate economic activity and create jobs.

·       Strengthening Our Communities: The administration devotes a significant portion of this year’s plan to Massachusetts cities and towns. Through Chapter 90 funds, Community Compact grants and other programs that municipalities can rely on the state as a partner for important local projects.

DISCRETIONARY SPENDING:

Approximately ten percent or $200 million in capital plan spending was truly discretionary for the Baker-Polito Administration, with the majority of the budget being pre-committed. Some of the new investments from this list include:

·       $35 million for dredging Boston Harbor, providing a match to federal and MassPort funding that will enable larger “Panamax” ships to reach our port and enhance our trade capacity, growing the regional economy and jobs

·       $25 million for road and related infrastructure work around UMass Boston’s campus, serving the entirety of Columbia Point

·       $15 million for manufacturing innovation grants, to spur innovation in our manufacturing sector and promote partnerships between small business, tech and higher education sectors

·       $10 million increase (to $75 million) for the existing MassWorks program, which provides grants for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support economic development, housing, city and town revitalization, projects, mill redevelopment and rural transportation improvements

·       $6 million for inland dams and seawalls to shore up critical infrastructure that protects our communities from flooding and severe weather events

·       $5 million increase to the existing Seaport Advisory Council, which provides statewide coordination of all coastal community planning and investment activities

AGENCY PRIORITIES:

Fixing and Maintaining Assets:

·       Over $500M:  Roads and bridges, highways, and local roadwork statewide

·       $405.9M:[1]      Accelerated Bridge Program – structurally deficient and / or

obsolete bridges                      

·       $251M:           MBTA Green Line extension

·       $117.6M:        Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) maintenance of state assets

·       $90M:             Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) public housing maintenance

·       $79.2M:          Red and Orange Line cars for the MBTA

·       $58.8M:          Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) deferred maintenance

·       $45M:[2]           Lottery terminal upgrades

·       $16.5M:[3]        Accelerated Energy Program – energy efficiency upgrades to

replace existing systems with cheaper, greener systems

·       $4.7M:[4]          Upgrades to the Department of Children and Families social worker tablets

Economic Development:

·       $75M:              MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Awards

·       $65M:              Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant program

·       $35M:              Dredging of Boston Harbor to increase port traffic

·       $16.5M:           Seaport Advisory Council

·       $15M:              National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Grants

·       $12.7M:           Equipment grants for vocational schools

                       
Building Stronger Communities:

·       $200M:            Chapter 90 transportation funds

·       $20M:              Library construction grants

·       $19M:              Broadband Last Mile – high speed internet access for rural communities

·       $10M:              Cultural facilities grants

·       $2M:                Community Compact grants for local capital projects

·       $2M:                Greening the Gateway Cities

RESPONSIBLE PLANNING TO CONTROL DEBT:

Given long term budgetary pressures including increasing pension and healthcare costs and the Administration’s commitment to continue to adequately fund education, local aid and state services, the Administration responsibly manages our debt service for long-term results.

With this is mind, the Administration will closely monitor debt service and continue to stress test projections through a variety of credit ratios especially as a percentage of operating budget.

The statutory debt limit constrains growth of direct debt to 5% per annum. In FY15, the direct debt limit was $19.8 billion, with an increase to $20.7 billion in FY16.

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Registrar Announces 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery

Registrar Announces 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery

Large Pool of Plate Classics Up For Grabs

BOSTON - Friday, June 19, 2015 – Today, MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin C. Deveney announced that applications for the 2015 Low Number Plate Lottery are now available at the Registry’s website and at branch locations throughout the state.

“It’s the favorite time of year again for Massachusetts plate aficionados,” said Registrar Deveney. “There is a large pool of classic plates, including Z9, up for grabs this year and we encourage everyone to visit our website www.massrmv.com to download an application. Good luck to our entrants!”

In addition to the availability of plate Z9, there are 155 other plates that are part of this year’s lottery including: 650, 7X and L91. Annually, approximately 6,000 applications are received.

Low number plates must be renewed every two years.

Applications are available for download online or at Registry branches across the Commonwealth. By law, applications must be postmarked by August 21, 2015.  Applications can be found at http://www.massrmv.com/Portals/30/docs/21843.pdf

Details of the drawing, date, time and location will be announced later this summer. By law, winners must be announced by September 15, 2015 and will be posted on the Registry website.

Governor Baker Announces Medical Marijuana To Move Ahead To Sale

Governor Baker Announces Medical Marijuana To Move Ahead To Sale

One-time waiver granted for limited amounts to be sold, while labs secure more rigorous testing

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today approved the issuance of a one-time, temporary waiver that will allow the first medical marijuana dispensary to begin selling its product after meeting final inspection protocols.

One of the Commonwealth's first medical marijuana dispensaries, Alternative Therapy Group (ATG) of Salem, MA had requested the waiver because labs in Massachusetts are not yet able to complete the array of quality testing required by Department of Public Health protocols.

“Patients have waited to access marijuana for medical purposes for far too long,” said Governor Baker. “This waiver will allow industry laboratories a little more time to reach full operation while providing safe amounts of medical marijuana for qualifying patients who need it.”

In line with several other leading states, Massachusetts has adopted an aggressive approach when it comes to testing, requiring medical marijuana be examined for cannabinoids, solvents, mycotoxins and other microbiological contaminants along with heavy metals and pesticides.

On the first batch of marijuana submitted for testing by Salem's ATG, the lab was unable to test for 7 of the 18 mandated pesticides, which would make it unable to be sold under state regulations. Under the waiver granted today, marijuana for medical use can be distributed with a label that discloses to the consumer the chemicals that were not tested.

“We are not lowering our standards for the testing of marijuana for medical purposes. Safety is job one,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “The waiver allows for small amounts of marijuana to be dispensed for medical use while testing facilities ramp up.”

Under the 3-month waiver, ATG may only dispense a maximum of 4.23 ounces of marijuana to any qualifying patient for their sixty-day supply and must provide patients with instructions to consume no more than 2 grams per day. During that time DPH will review the standards for naturally occurring minerals to ensure they are attainable for future dispensaries.

“We carefully considered the initial testing results and we will review the standards going forward,” said Dr. Monica Bharel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health. “We believe these levels provide for patient health protections while allowing the first dispensary to distribute marijuana for medical use as voted on in 2012.”