BATH

The state’s largest medical marijuana dispensary group is relocating to downtown Bath from Thomaston, the dispensary has announced.

Citing “demand for space, privacy and a more centralized location,” Wellness Connection of Maine in a press release said it will operate at a new location on Centre Street late this summer.

According to WCM, Medical marijuana has been legal in Maine since 2009 for patients suffering from a list of pre-approved medical conditions, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and Crohn’s disease. In 2013, PTSD was added to Maine’s list of approved conditions.

“Wellness Connection of Maine operates four dispensaries and one cultivation facility. Since opening five years ago, WCM’s member base has quadrupled,” the company stated. “The company has created more than 80 permanent jobs across five Maine counties and hundreds of additional ancillary jobs.”

The Bath location is under renovation and is expected to be completed by August.

According to WCM CEO Patricia Rosi, the move will enable WCM to better serve its rapidly growing member base with increased accessibility.

The nonprofit has a Gardiner location and Rosi notes that it may be more convenient for some members to designate there instead. If members cannot travel to either dispensaries locations, WCM will explore a delivery service for those patients.

The Thomaston dispensary has been in operation since 2011 and serves over 1,000 members, according to WCM.

“We love our Thomaston members and remain grateful to the community that welcomed and embraced us for so long,” said Rosi in a written statement.

All patients accounts will be transferred to Bath, unless otherwise requested. The nonprofit company will hire more employees at this new location in the coming months.