The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has proposed charging medical marijuana dispensaries a fee of $50,000 per year, with an additional $50 annual fee for patients, The Republican reported.
The draft regulations submitted today would create fees to help fund the medical marijuana program, including hiring the staff and inspectors.
Massachusetts's voters approved the medical marijuana law last November, but it is "revenue neutral," meaning the state program must run on fees instead of taxpayer's money.
The dispensaries have the authority to set those fees, the department will not be responsible for setting those prices. They also must create a plan that will provide low-income people with medical marijuana who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. The medical marijuana will not be covered by insurance.
If the fees are passed, registered marijuana dispensaries will pay a $1,500 fee for the first phase of an application and $30,000 for the second phase, both would be non-refundable. They would then pay a $50,000 fee for registration, which would repeat annually for license renewal.
Patients would pay $150 per year for registration and a hardship cultivation license.
Matthew J. Allen, executive director of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance is opposed to the fee proposal for individuals, but thinks that fees for dispensaries are reasonable.
When asked about the patient fees Allen responded, "That just doesn't make sense. These patients have already demonstrated limited income."
Under the new ballot it is projected that there could be 35 dispensaries licensed by the end of this year and opening early next year around the state. There could be between one and five dispensaries in each county.
Under the new marijuana law people with specified "debilitating conditions" such cancer, glaucoma, the virus that causes AIDS, and conditions to be determined by their personal doctor, can obtain a registration card which will allow them to possess up to 60-days worth of marijuana.
