Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Providence, R.I. - Rhode Island has issued emergency regulations to begin licensing a new group of private growers of medical marijuana.
The Department of Business Regulation said creating a new class of marijuana cultivators will protect patients from an expected shortfall of the product this winter.
The regulations took effect Tuesday.
State officials said there could be a shortfall of medical marijuana after a new law takes effect on Jan. 1. That law bans patient caregivers from selling their excess plants to dispensaries.
Loopholes affecting how marijuana can be harvested had created an incentive for caregivers to make big profits selling marijuana, some of which flowed into the black market, said Norman Birenbaum, the state policy analyst who is helping to craft the new business regulations.
The new rules taking effect next year are meant to stop that. But dispensaries also relied on caregivers for their supply, which is why the emergency regulations are needed, Birenbaum said. It gives aspiring growers time to seek licenses now in time to supply patients with marijuana next year.
The emergency rule speeds up the process of licensing cultivators who can grow, process and package plants.
The changes are part of Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo's broader efforts to reform the state's medical marijuana industry. New rules approved this summer as part of the state budget also include a new medical marijuana tax requiring growers to buy tags from the state for plants they cultivate.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Rhode Island Issues Emergency Medical Marijuana Regulations
Author: Staff
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: Andrew Selsky
Website: SFGate
The Department of Business Regulation said creating a new class of marijuana cultivators will protect patients from an expected shortfall of the product this winter.
The regulations took effect Tuesday.
State officials said there could be a shortfall of medical marijuana after a new law takes effect on Jan. 1. That law bans patient caregivers from selling their excess plants to dispensaries.
Loopholes affecting how marijuana can be harvested had created an incentive for caregivers to make big profits selling marijuana, some of which flowed into the black market, said Norman Birenbaum, the state policy analyst who is helping to craft the new business regulations.
The new rules taking effect next year are meant to stop that. But dispensaries also relied on caregivers for their supply, which is why the emergency regulations are needed, Birenbaum said. It gives aspiring growers time to seek licenses now in time to supply patients with marijuana next year.
The emergency rule speeds up the process of licensing cultivators who can grow, process and package plants.
The changes are part of Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo's broader efforts to reform the state's medical marijuana industry. New rules approved this summer as part of the state budget also include a new medical marijuana tax requiring growers to buy tags from the state for plants they cultivate.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Rhode Island Issues Emergency Medical Marijuana Regulations
Author: Staff
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: Andrew Selsky
Website: SFGate
