Tags
Arrests, Cannabis, cannabis research, Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, Department of Public Health, Dispensaries, Institute of Medicine., Law, Massachusetts, Medical marijuana, Public safety, therapeutic, Trials, University of California, usages
By: Madeline Garcia-Gilbert
Medical Marijuana, although passed for use in Massachusetts approximately 18 months ago, seems to be at a stand still. There seems to be a lot of controversy among safety issues on where dispensary locations should be allowed. According to The Massachusetts Department of Public Heath, 181 applications for dispensaries were submitted, but only 20 are preliminarily approved.
The following is a quick snapshot of the process set forth by The Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the implementation process in opening Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Massachusetts.
To download a printable copy of this graph click here .
However, due to set backs in reviewing best practices and securing public safety among other issues, this process is, and will continue, to be delayed. This lack of implementation is causing bigger issues for people already suffering with things like unbearable pain, inability to eat, or keep food down due to chemotherapy, etc. like arrests and civil citations for having medical marijuana, regardless of physician letter prescribing use, due to the lack of a legal certification process, currently unavailable to physicians for the provision of adequate patient prescription documentation. The Globe wrote an article to this effect that can be found here. The notice explaining patient rights and amounts that law enforcements throughout Massachusetts can be seen by clicking Law enforcement guidance.
It is important that the Massachusetts medical marijuana dispensaries be opened on time. Voters in Massachusetts voted to make medical marijuana available for such medical conditions almost two years ago this upcoming November.
A hard week for Medical Marijuana
This past week has been difficult in that Medical Marijuana has been faced with budgetary issues by looking at adding the implementation of additional amendments that would further delay the process of opening Massachusetts dispensaries.
Amendments proposed were:
Amendment 911: requiring the inspector general to investigate the application process and issue a report within 30 days. This could delay DPH from issuing registrations for dispensaries to operate.
Amendment 913: This adds a 4% tax on medical marijuana – which will impose another burden on patients due to it not being covered by insurance like traditional medicines.
Amendment 914: States that medical marijuana should be taxed.
Amendment 916: Establishes a cannabis commission to review dispensary registrations, basically forming a new group to do all the work that DPH has already done, and therefore, add significant delays.
Amendment 917: Says edibles can be taxed by state, allowing cities and towns to add an additional tax.
A bit of research
Obviously there is vast research on the use of marijuana whether under recreational or medical purposes. Many seem to hold firmly on conservative stances concerning marijuana use. Medical Marijuana laws were not passed to promote recreational use of Marijuana in Massachusetts. Marijuana continues to be illegal in the state. The medical marijuana law as passed by Massachusetts voters is available here. However, many lack the knowledge behind the medical benefits of Medical Marijuana. The University of California, who was commissioned in 1999 to establish a scientific research program “to expand the public scientific knowledge on purported therapeutic usages of marijuana,” http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/, has completed five of seven clinical trials currently in progress. According to a report published in February 2010 by the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California which followed “conditions identified by the Institute of Medicine,” on potential therapeutic benefits, http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=14, discuss how “studies have demonstrated that cannabis has analgesic effects in pain conditions secondary to injury (e.g. spinal cord injury) or disease (e.g. HIV disease, HIV drug therapy) of the nervous system.” and yet policymakers can’t seem to come to an agreement on opening Massachusetts dispensaries.
Resources:
Doctors currently certifying the use of Medical Marijuana
Norml working to reform marijuana laws
Final medical marijuana regulations
http://www.massachusettsmarijuanacompliance.com/