Mass. Department of Public Health Posts First Draft of Medical Marijuana Regulations

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) published draft regulations on Friday regarding the implementation of the state's new medical marijuana law which was voted into law on November 12.

"The department has taken very seriously our responsibility to promote the health and well-being of all the residents of Massachusetts and to implement a carefully crafted and sensible medical marijuana system in our state," Interim Commissioner of DPH Lauren Smith told reporters Friday.

"DPH solicited an unprecedented level of input in drafting these regulations to create a medical marijuana system that is right for Massachusetts," said Smith. "In this proposal, we have sought to achieve a balanced approach that will provide appropriate access for patients, while maintaining a secure system that keeps our communities safe."

The 45-page draft regulations are available for review at the DPH's medical marijuana website.

Applicants who want to open a medical marijuana treatment center, known as a dispensary, must be a nonprofit and operate their own cultivation and dispensing facilities. No wholesale distribution of marijuana products would be allowed, the department said in a news release.

In November, 63 percent of Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question with majority support from 349 out of 351 communities across the state. This allowed medicinal marijuana to be consumed by patients with certain conditions, including cancer, Parkinson's disease and AIDS. The measure became law on Jan. 1; however it requires the state to issue regulations by this May governing how the law will be implemented.

The new law will allow for as many as 35 non-profit dispensaries to open around Massachusetts where patients can receive up to a 60-day supply of marijuana with a limited supply of no more than 10 ounces except in limited circumstances where doctors have the authority to increase the supply.