Did Ohio hire a drug felon to score medical marijuana applications?

A company that failed to win a state license to grow medical marijuana is criticizing the state for apparently hiring a man with a felony drug conviction to score the applications.

"The state of Ohio has a lot of explaining to do ... they hired a convicted drug dealer for $150,000 to score applications for the Ohio medical marijuana industry," said Jimmy Gould, chairman of CannAscend Ohio, the rejected would-be cultivator.

"Did the Department of Commerce not think it important to check and report the fact that at least one of the scorers of the medical marijuana control program had a criminal record for dealing drugs ... did they require a background check to get a license, but not to give a license?" Gould asked in a statement.

But, the state's request for proposals, that led to contracts for Bozeman and two other scorers, did not list passage of a criminal background check as a requirement, records show.

Court records verified by The Dispatch show a Trevor C. Bozeman was convicted of manufacturing, delivering and possessing drugs, with intent to manufacture or deliver, in Middleburg, Pennsylvania, in 2005.

The records do not provide details of the offense. They also show misdemeanor charges of use and possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use, that were dismissed.

Bozeman, now age 33, of Brunswick, Maine, paid $2,131 in fines and costs and was placed on probation for three years, which court records show he successfully completed.

Ohio incorporation papers show a Trevor Bozeman formed iCann Consulting, with a Dublin residential address, in late 2016, The Dispatch confirmed. The Sawmill Road address the company lists in its dealings with the state is a mail box at a United Parcel Service store.

The company was one of three to receive a $150,000 state contract in June to score applications submitted by those seeking licenses to grow medical marijuana on factors such as finances, operating plans and security. Paperwork he filed with the state said he held a doctorate in chemistry and had prior experience with marijuana-grow operations in California and had served as an adviser in other states.

Messages seeking comment from Bozeman were left Tuesday morning at two telephone numbers listed in his name.

Stephanie Gostomski, a spokeswoman for the Department of Commerce, said iCann Consulting appeared to meet all the requirements to receive the state contract and its scoring appeared to be done professionally.

CannAscend's bid to win a medical marijuana cultivation contract for a Wilmington facility was rejected after it scored poorly in evaluations and failed to meet requirements, Gostomski said.

Gould said the situation reflected "significant irregularities" that should be investigated. He was a founder of ResponsibleOhio, the group behind the failed 2015 ballot campaign to legalize recreational marijuana.

"This is the start of a billion dollar industry and the fact that the start is marred by arbitrary and capricious irregularities is troubling and deserves a thorough and deep review," he said.

The state recently awarded licenses for both small and large medical-marijuana grow operations. Medical marijuana is expected to be available in about a year.

Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, a Republican running for governor, said in a statement that she was "outraged that a convicted drug dealer played a major role in determining who was suitable to receive a license. At a minimum, the integrity of the process has been called into question and it is unconscionable to imagine that this process would be allowed to continue until we have a full reckoning."

State Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said in a tweet that the state should "freeze the issuance of the medical marijuana growers licenses until Ohioans can be assured this process has not been tainted."

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow

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