Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Bismarck–Legislative leadership has introduced a bill that would buy time for lawmakers to pass a comprehensive law governing the process for allowing the prescription, dispensing and use of medical marijuana in the state.
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, said Senate Bill 2154 would suspend enacting parts of the medical marijuana initiative that passed in November until a full bill can be passed this session.
SB2154 suspends the North Dakota Department of Health from issuing applications for medical marijuana dispensaries and the receiving of applications as well as issuing certificates of registration. The suspension would last through July 31 or until the Legislature passes a full medical marijuana regulations bill this session, whichever comes first.
"They're still going to get what they want, but we do it in a responsible way," Wardner said. "It just gives us some time to do it right."
A hearing on SB2154 is scheduled for Monday before the Senate Human Services Committee in the Red River Room.
North Dakota Compassionate Care Act Chairman Rilie Ray Morgan said he could understand the need for more time.
"We thought we had all the i's dotted and all the t's crossed. We are a little disturbed over the slowness of government," said Morgan, who expressed disappointment that the Health Department wouldn't be taking applications for dispensaries at this time.
Senate Human Services Committee Chairwoman Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, said SB2154 is a small piece that simply sets the table for what is expected to be a lengthy and highly complex medical marijuana bill.
The deadline for introducing bills in the Senate is Jan. 23. Wardner said he'll likely be introducing it on that date since the Health Department and Attorney General's office are still finalizing a number of items in the bill.
Measure 5, also known as the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act, passed with the support of nearly 64 percent of voters.
The new law allows for people to have up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment of up to nearly a dozen medical conditions. Facilities for medical marijuana distribution would be licensed by the state Health Department and be operated by nonprofit organizations. Those more than 40 miles from a licensed facility would be able to grow up to eight marijuana plants after providing notification to law enforcement as long as they're grown in an enclosed facility.
"It's getting fairly close," Arvy Smith, co-interim director for the North Dakota Department of Health, said of the bill's progress in being finalized.
Since Measure 5's passage, Smith reported the department has received a few calls per day on average inquiring about the licensing process.
Several items are still being discussed for potential inclusion in the main medical marijuana bill.
Smith said among the possibilities for inclusion in the bill include finding ways such as fees to offset the cost of overseeing the program, safety precautions for children and capping the amount allowed for users at less than 3 ounces.
"Three ounces per 14 days is a lot of marijuana," said Smith, adding that that number might be reduced in order to minimize the possibility of medical marijuana being passed along from authorized users to others for non-medical use.
A job announcement was issued this week for a new division head to oversee the program. How large the program is and how many new staff the new division will require will depend on the content of the final bill and what ultimately is passed.
Last fall, the department estimated the implementation cost for the 2017-19 biennium at about $7.35 million and up to 32 full-time staff. Department estimates also put the impact on the Bureau of Criminal Investigation per biennium at nearly $2.8 million with a need for 15 additional full-time staff.
Morgan said supporters of Measure 5 will be monitoring medical marijuana legislation closely this session to ensure the intent is met by the state.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legislative Leaders Enter Bill To Delay Medical Marijuana Startup
Author: Nick Smith
Contact: (701) 451-5718
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: West Fargo Pioneer
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, R-Dickinson, said Senate Bill 2154 would suspend enacting parts of the medical marijuana initiative that passed in November until a full bill can be passed this session.
SB2154 suspends the North Dakota Department of Health from issuing applications for medical marijuana dispensaries and the receiving of applications as well as issuing certificates of registration. The suspension would last through July 31 or until the Legislature passes a full medical marijuana regulations bill this session, whichever comes first.
"They're still going to get what they want, but we do it in a responsible way," Wardner said. "It just gives us some time to do it right."
A hearing on SB2154 is scheduled for Monday before the Senate Human Services Committee in the Red River Room.
North Dakota Compassionate Care Act Chairman Rilie Ray Morgan said he could understand the need for more time.
"We thought we had all the i's dotted and all the t's crossed. We are a little disturbed over the slowness of government," said Morgan, who expressed disappointment that the Health Department wouldn't be taking applications for dispensaries at this time.
Senate Human Services Committee Chairwoman Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, said SB2154 is a small piece that simply sets the table for what is expected to be a lengthy and highly complex medical marijuana bill.
The deadline for introducing bills in the Senate is Jan. 23. Wardner said he'll likely be introducing it on that date since the Health Department and Attorney General's office are still finalizing a number of items in the bill.
Measure 5, also known as the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act, passed with the support of nearly 64 percent of voters.
The new law allows for people to have up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment of up to nearly a dozen medical conditions. Facilities for medical marijuana distribution would be licensed by the state Health Department and be operated by nonprofit organizations. Those more than 40 miles from a licensed facility would be able to grow up to eight marijuana plants after providing notification to law enforcement as long as they're grown in an enclosed facility.
"It's getting fairly close," Arvy Smith, co-interim director for the North Dakota Department of Health, said of the bill's progress in being finalized.
Since Measure 5's passage, Smith reported the department has received a few calls per day on average inquiring about the licensing process.
Several items are still being discussed for potential inclusion in the main medical marijuana bill.
Smith said among the possibilities for inclusion in the bill include finding ways such as fees to offset the cost of overseeing the program, safety precautions for children and capping the amount allowed for users at less than 3 ounces.
"Three ounces per 14 days is a lot of marijuana," said Smith, adding that that number might be reduced in order to minimize the possibility of medical marijuana being passed along from authorized users to others for non-medical use.
A job announcement was issued this week for a new division head to oversee the program. How large the program is and how many new staff the new division will require will depend on the content of the final bill and what ultimately is passed.
Last fall, the department estimated the implementation cost for the 2017-19 biennium at about $7.35 million and up to 32 full-time staff. Department estimates also put the impact on the Bureau of Criminal Investigation per biennium at nearly $2.8 million with a need for 15 additional full-time staff.
Morgan said supporters of Measure 5 will be monitoring medical marijuana legislation closely this session to ensure the intent is met by the state.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legislative Leaders Enter Bill To Delay Medical Marijuana Startup
Author: Nick Smith
Contact: (701) 451-5718
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: West Fargo Pioneer
