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Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, had hoped to postpone implementation of the medical marijuana law passed by voters in November, but he told the State House News Service on Monday that he sees no route to push the timetable back. "There was some hope, but a lot of things would have had to aligne," Keenan said during a recess in end-of-session legislating. Department of Public Health officials have indicated they want more time to implement the law, which will allow doctors' notes to enable patients' use of medical marijuana. Keenan said he would attempt to address the issue next session. "We'll take it up after the first of the year," Keenan said. Keenan had previously said he might try to amend an end-of-session bill to include a delay. The law is set to take effect Jan. 1. After voters approved the medical marijuana ballot law, state public health officials released a statement indicating they would work in the "coming months" with health care and public safety officials "to develop smart and balanced policies and procedures." On Monday, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services issued the following statement:
"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is in the process of developing regulations that will allow qualifying patients with certain medical conditions to obtain and use medical marijuana. Under the ballot measure approved by voters, DPH has until May 1, 2013 to issue regulations and DPH will not issue any registration cards or allow any medical marijuana dispensaries to open until the regulations are in effect. The Department is partnering with a wide range of stakeholders in public safety, the medical community and municipal governments to develop the regulations and will learn from other states' experiences to put a system in place that is right for Massachusetts. During the time DPH is crafting its regulations, the ballot measure allows the written recommendation of a qualifying patient's physician to act as a medical marijuana registration card. Similarly, the law allows a qualifying patient to cultivate their own limited supply of marijuana during this period."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: wickedlocal.com
Author: State House News Service
Contact: Wicked Local Wareham Contact Us
Website: Officials pledge medical marijuana system that's 'right' for state - Wareham, MA - Wicked Local Wareham
"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is in the process of developing regulations that will allow qualifying patients with certain medical conditions to obtain and use medical marijuana. Under the ballot measure approved by voters, DPH has until May 1, 2013 to issue regulations and DPH will not issue any registration cards or allow any medical marijuana dispensaries to open until the regulations are in effect. The Department is partnering with a wide range of stakeholders in public safety, the medical community and municipal governments to develop the regulations and will learn from other states' experiences to put a system in place that is right for Massachusetts. During the time DPH is crafting its regulations, the ballot measure allows the written recommendation of a qualifying patient's physician to act as a medical marijuana registration card. Similarly, the law allows a qualifying patient to cultivate their own limited supply of marijuana during this period."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: wickedlocal.com
Author: State House News Service
Contact: Wicked Local Wareham Contact Us
Website: Officials pledge medical marijuana system that's 'right' for state - Wareham, MA - Wicked Local Wareham
