Cannabis reform

The Public Safety Committee today held a meeting with "medical marijuana" advocates to discuss cannabis reform strategies.

The following were listed as high priorities for change in the medical marijuana program:

• The medical marijuana program should be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health not the Department of Public Safety, while making patient list available to the PSD.
• Medical marijuana patients should be able to grow five more plants then currently allowed. (7 plants to 12 plants)
• The program must enhance patient confidentiality.
• Patients need better and safer access to medical marijuana. Distribution centers should be developed.
  
• Allow caregivers to grow a limited amount of marijuana for patients because some patients are too enfeebled to prepare their own crop.
  

A handful of bills relating to "medical marijuana" have been introduced this session and address the concerns of the advocates and lawmakers who attended the briefing:

HB 190 RELATING TO MARIJUANA POSSESSION
Reclassifies possession of less than one ounce of marijuana from a petty misdemeanor to a violation.

HB 226 RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Allows a qualifying patient to possess 12 marijuana plants and 7 ounces of marijuana at one time. Prohibits identification of the site where marijuana is grown on a registry card. Prohibits a certifying physician from naming a patient's particular debilitating condition. Allows a caregiver to grow marijuana for no more than 5 patients.

HB 227 RELATING TO MARIJUANA
Decriminalizes possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and makes the possession a civil violation subject to a fine of not more than $100.

HB 308 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Directs the attorney general to coordinate a review of the impact of diverting marijuana and low-level felony drug offenders out of the criminal justice system into treatment.

HB 967 RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS
Amends the term "medical marijuana" to "medical cannabis"; transfers the administration of the program from the department of public safety to the department of health; authorizes a registration fee of $50; establishes the medical cannabis advisory board; provides for the department of health to license producers to dispense medical cannabis.

HB 1192 RELATING TO MARIJUANA
Makes the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana a civil offense and imposes fines. Requires persons under eighteen years of age against whom a civil judgment is entered to complete a drug awareness program.

HB1193 RELATING TO MARIJUANA
Provides that the enforcement of laws related to the personal use of marijuana by adults shall be the lowest law enforcement priority for state and local law enforcement agencies.

HB1194 RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Requires department of health to grow, manage, operate, and dispense medical marijuana collectives to qualifying patients. Requires department of public safety to provide security for marijuana growing facilities and for transportation of marijuana. Limits each qualifying patient to 1 caregiver. Allows no more than 4 ounces of marijuana to each patient for every 30 calendar days.