A week before the state health department considers new limits on medical marijuana growers, a panel of lawmakers and regulators on Monday debated whether the number of plants those growers can raise also should be curbed.
The Use of Recreational Marijuana Sales Tax Revenues Interim Study Committee declined to endorse a proposed bill relating to new limits. It’s deemed a “gray market” of untaxed commerce by some but difficult to tweak because it is enshrined in the state constitution.
The Board of Health meets Sept. 16 to consider capping medical marijuana caregivers to 10 patients. Caregivers are limited to five patients, though some get waivers to serve many more.
The proposed bill considered Monday would also make it harder for marijuana patients to get medical permission for more than six plants. The “extended plant count” exception is seen as another loophole allowing a few medical marijuana patients to have large quantities.
Patients under the proposed bill would need recommendations from two doctors, not one, before getting permission for more than six plants.
But curbing those “extended plant count” exceptions won’t be easy, warned Karin McGowan, deputy executive director of the Department of Health and the Environment, which oversees the medical marijuana program.
“I think we’re all grappling with, how do we prove medical necessity? How many plants do you need to create tinctures and oils and all these other kinds of treatments that are being developed every day?” McGowan said.
The panel meets again at the end of the month to decide whether to suggest legislation for next session.
