Pubdate: Wed, 16 Dec 2015
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2015 Star Advertiser
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154
Author: Kristen Consillio

RULES FOR MEDICAL PAKALOLO PROGRAM ARE AIRED

Medical marijuana patients will not be allowed to sample their 
medicines before they buy when dispensaries open next year.

The state Health Department issued interim administrative rules 
Tuesday for the medical marijuana dispensary licensing program that 
require cannabis operators to grow their plants indoors and at least 
750 feet away from schools and playgrounds. It also doesn't allow 
retail operators to hand out free samples or sell paraphernalia. The 
dispensaries will be highly regulated with unlimited unannounced 
inspections, the department said.

"I'm excited by the guidance provided by the DOH rules. It's 
extremely helpful for all of those involved in the effort to produce 
pharmaceutical-grade cannabis. This is definitely a beacon to follow 
in moving forward," said former Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, an 
attorney for the Wellness Group, composed of 18 mostly local doctors, 
nurses and other health care providers. "If you're not following the 
rules, it's going to be a hurdle for you, but if you follow the 
rules, you're going to have something that's safe and patient oriented."

THE REGULATIONS can be found online at health.hawaii.gov/ 
medicalmarijuana under "Dispensary Updates" and will remain in effect 
until July 1, 2018, or longer if they are extended by the state.

"The interim rules were written first and foremost to effectively 
implement the medical marijuana dispensary law and get the dispensary 
system up and running," state Health Director Virginia Pressler said 
in a news release. "The rules have also been drafted to ensure 
patient safety, product safety and public safety, and prevent 
marketing to our keiki. This product is intended to be used for 
registered patients who need it for medical purposes and the rules 
are written specifically to accomplish that goal."

AMONG OTHER requirements, the interim rules explain:

)) Criteria and processes for awarding dispensary licenses. )) 
Security requirements. )) Standards for certifying laboratories that 
will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the marijuana or 
manufactured marijuana products distributed at the retail dispensing locations.

)) Requirements for operating the dispensaries, including tracking 
each dispensary's inventory of products from seed to sale or disposal.

In July, Gov. David Ige signed Act 241, which allows for dispensaries 
to begin selling medical marijuana to qualified patients or primary 
caregivers beginning July 15, 2016. Under the law a total of eight 
dispensary licenses may be issued: three on Oahu, two each on Hawaii 
island and Maui, and one on Kauai.

Each dispensary licensee will be allowed to operate up to two 
production centers with up to 3,000 marijuana plants each and two 
retail stations for a total of 16 centers and 16 dispensaries statewide.

The initial open application period for licensing will begin Jan. 12 
and close Jan. 29.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom