Pubdate: Mon, 18 Feb 2013
Source: Gloucester Daily Times (MA)
Copyright: 2013 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/contactus/local_story_015132144.html
Website: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/169

MEDICAL SOCIETY RAISES RED FLAGS ON POT LAW

BOSTON - While it plans to provide detailed testimony during upcoming 
regulatory hearings, the trade group that represents doctors in 
Massachusetts raised a host of questions before state officials last 
week during a Department of Health "listening session" regarding the 
state's new medical marijuana law.

Among the concerns raised by the 24,000-member Massachusetts Medical 
Society: that patient certifications under the law become part of the 
state's prescription monitoring program, that regulations take into 
account implications of medical marijuana use on occupational health 
and safety, and that the language in the 2012 ballot law regarding 
certification of debilitating medical conditions is "overly broad."

The medical society believes policies adopted in December, after the 
ballot law was approved, will help the Department of Public Health 
"create a regulatory framework that supports responsible 
implementation of the law."

Other issues that need consideration, according to the medical 
society, include treatment dosages, the duration of certifications, 
and the amount of an appropriate supply.

Since November's passage of the ballot initiative, a number of city 
and town officials across the state have also grappled with where or 
how to place the "dispensary" centers outlined in the bill, which 
gained widespread support and gained voter approval in every city and 
town except Lawrence.

Some North Shore communities have already moved to block any 
dispenssaries from their cities and towns, including Peabody. But 
city and town officials have not yet taken up formal discussion of 
hosting or barring - any potential dispensaries in Gloucester or in 
any of Cape Ann's towns. The ballot referendum called for up to five 
dispensaries and at least one in each of Massachusetts' counties, 
including Essex, which covers all of Cape Ann..

Separately, the Massachusetts Public Health Association, in a letter 
to Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday, said the language of the ballot 
law leaves unanswered questions about the definition of qualifying 
medical conditions, the minimum age of patients, limits on the number 
of patients a caregiver can have, and the including of marijuana in 
foods and beverages.

Association Executive Director Toby Fisher urged regulators to learn 
lessons from other states, discuss siting issues with local 
officials, and craft rules to avoid diversion of marijuana "to 
illicit and youth usage."

 From Wire and staff Reports
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom