Once the “Wolf of Wall Street” who has his mind set on another pot of gold. Dean Petkanas new company is among the 43 businesses vying for one of five prospering medical marijuana licenses in New York state an electric group whose boss once worked for an ex-governor, and two nursing home operators who work at a facility at the center of a recent scam.
“Now it’s a waiting game,” stated Petkanas, who was employed for 3 years at Stratton Oakmont, the pump, and dump firm featured in the 2013 Martin Scorsese-directed movie.
He now heads Long Island-based medical marijuana company KannaLife Sciences, which is looking at more than 600 acres in upstate New York for a “green” grow location.
“If we do [get the license], great. If we don’t, we’re still there for the state of New York,” added Petkanas.
Others who are applying are Leo Friedman and Michael Melnicke, who runs the Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Far Rockaway where three nurses were caught this past month for abusing a bleeding patient.
The pair, who together have provided a combined number of $16,000 to Gov. Cuomo’s campaign, are connected to NY Growing Partners LLC.
The company has also added to their staff the public relations firm of Zimmerman/Edelson- whose co-founder, Robert Zimmerman, was selected by Gov. Cuomo to his Spending and Government Efficiency Commission. Unlike soma of the other bidders, the business has maintained their pals by keeping it under wraps and has yet to turn in a formal proposal. However, it does have its sights on a 12-acre property in Saugerties.
“They’re waiting on word from the state before anything moves forward,” a spokesman said.
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