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Vol. 3, No. 26
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www.advocatenews.net
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978-777-6397
Friday, June 29, 2018
Phytotherapy applicant hopes to make impact in pot industry By Christopher Roberson
A
fter a number of years in the real estate industry and running a bakery in Manchester, N.H., Alexander Athanas made the decision to delve into the new world of medical marijuana, becoming the president of Phytotherapy. “It’s my vision, it’s my dream, I’ve always had an entrepre-
neurial spirit,” he said, adding that he wants to “make a positive impact in the world” and help other people. “That’s what drives me in this business.” Athanas also said his company will be exclusively for medical marijuana. “I have no intentions of doing anything recreationally at this time,” he said. “I’m not going to go against what the city wants.”
Because of his lack of experience in the industry, Athanas said, he has stepped back from being part of the company’s management team at this time. However, he has been attending several conferences as far away as California to gain a greater knowledge about the inner workings of medical cannabis. Athanas said he hired John
Pop Up Pub returns to Peabody Square
Napoli to lead Phytotherapy’s operations division. “He has a handle on putting a seed in the ground,” said Athanas. He also chose Kenneth Gill, a former State Police captain, to be the company’s security officer. In addition, Athanas selected Dr. Pritesh Kumar, managing director of Phytosciences Consultants, to be the company’s chief executive officer. Speaking about security, Athanas said there would be a fenced-in area for product shipments to be dropped off. He also said there would be one security guard on duty. In addition, all products would come in childproof packaging. “We like to compare it to a bank,” said Athanas. Phytotherapy would also be working with Century Bank to arrange for a third-party pick up of cash deposits. Although the industry is still in its infancy, Athanas said he is confident that medical cannabis will be used to treat a wid-
Alexander Athanas
er range of ailments in the future. “I know many people like to call it a miracle drug,” he said. Athanas also spoke about the company’s proposed location at 25 Newbury St., saying it would be highly visible to both the police as well as to the community at large. “The city did a really good job with the zoning,” he said. “It’s got to be one of the better spots in the state.”
School Committee tasked with approving Faith Christian Academy Friends Mark Wells, Kathy Wells, Dee Barrett Peabody residents enjoying beer from Down the Road Beer Co. of Everett during the Pop Up Pub hosted in Peabody Square last Saturday. See more photo highlights on page 4. (Advocate photo by Laura Jolie)
Gustin & Dawe earn NEC co-MVP honors
Players from both the baseball and softball teams earned Most Valuable Player recognition in the Northeastern Conference (NEC) this season. Among them were Tanners shortstop Jake Gustin, batted .524 to help lead the Tanners baseball team to a playoff berth this season, and softball ace Tianna Dawe, who put together a great season both on the mound and offensively to help the Tanners to 18 wins this spring. See story and photos on page 6. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps)
By Christopher Roberson
D
uring his final meeting with the School Committee, Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Herbert Levine informed the members that the onus is on them to approve the new Faith Christian Academy. “It is strictly the School Committee’s responsibility to approve the school,” he said during the June 26 meeting, adding that it is currently a K-7 school located on Pulaski Street, and “The Department of Education has no authority here; you are the final say on whether or not to approve this school.” Levine said that he and his colleagues have reviewed the school’s test scores and curriculum and made two site visits with a third visit scheduled in accordance with “policy and state law.” However, members were uneasy about taking a vote to approve a religious school. Therefore, following a motion made by Member Andrew Arnotis, the committee voted unanimously to in-
Dr. Herbert Levine
vite representatives from the academy to meet with the committee at a later date. Member Joseph Amico asked for an opinion from the committee’s legal counsel. Peabody/Saugus wrestling co-op and special education restructuring In other news, the committee voted unanimously to ac-
SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 2