As most of you know, DOR has drafted various rules regarding regulation of MMJ businesses. Public comment is invited and there is a hearing scheduled on 1/27 and 1/28.
Next, further legislation is being proposed for MMJ businesses, caregivers, doctors and patients.
A summary of the proposed changes include:
- Only owners of MMCs and/or MIPs will be subject to the 2 year residency requirement;
- MIPs that cultivate their own medicine will be limited to 500 plants;
- Primary Caregivers can work with more than 5 patients upon the granting of a waiver from the Department of Revenue. This class of Primary Caregiver will be licensed (there may be fees…) and would be able to transact with the patients of another Primary Caregiver of the same class (more than 5 patients). This section does not appear to be well thought out and is likely to be substantially revised;
- Primary Caregivers licensed to serve more than 5 patients will be required to register the cultivation site with the Department of Revenue, disclose the patients they are working for and comply with zoning and building regulations. This appears to be limited to PCs who received a waiver to care for more than 5 patients, but could likely include all Primary Caregivers. This could result in elimination of home-based cultivation;
- MMCs will be permitted to sell MMJ below cost or give MMJ to indigent patients. It is unclear whether this will impact the 2 oz. per patient inventory limits;
- MMCs will be permitted to sell clones. According to the recent Dept. of Revenue rules (see above) clones are treated as plants and subject to inventory limits (6 plants per primary center assignment) and cannot be sold to patients;
- MMCs will be able to “trade” medicine in equal amounts with another MMC, but not “re-traded.” It is unclear whether this will be included in the 30% allowable sales;
- The prohibition for owners with a felony drug conviction in their lifetime will be reduced to a conviction within 5 years of the completion of the sentence;
- The location of the Optional Cultivation Premises will no longer be confidential;
- Multiple MIPs will be permitted to operate from a single facility by obtaining a “manufacturing facility license.” It is unclear how this will be enforced, fees, etc.;
- Patients will be permitted to purchase medicine while their application is being processed (no more 35 day waiting period);
- Labeling of medicine is going to be addressed; and
- Doctor’s with “conditional” licenses will be permitted to request that they be able to recommend MMJ.
Finally, I trust that all of you are prospering in the New Year and that you are currently in compliance with the rules governing your business.
Be reminded that compliance will be measured from 7/1/10 and you should not expect any leniency if you are not compliant at all times.