Marijuana
Challenges
In November 2012, 63% of voters approved a ballot initiative making Massachusetts the 18th state to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The law required the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to create regulations and administer a medical marijuana program. The link to this program is www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/medical-marijuana . The email for the DPH’s program is MedicalMarijuana@state.ma.us . As of February 16, 2016 there were 6 medical marijuana dispensaries open in Massachusetts. Information about the programs can be found on the above-described website.
Opportunities
The Department of Public Health has enacted comprehensive regulations relative to medical marijuana and they can be found at www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/medical-marijuana. Cities and towns can enact local regulations, bylaws and ordinances further regulating medical marijuana. These local laws can address where dispensaries can be sited; what type of local inspections are required, what local permits are required, etc. Boston’s medical marijuana regulation is posted on the Boston Public Health Commission’s website, www.bphc.org. It, as well as other local regulations can be found on this website on the Resource page.