Public Hearings on Five Marijuana/Cannabis Bills!

Morning: Hearings on Decriminalization/Legalization Bills 9:20 a.m. — public hearing on HB 640 (decriminalization) in the Senate Judiciary Committee (State House Room 100). The bill would reduce the penalty for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana from a misdemeanor to a violation punishable by a fine of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense within 3 years, and $350 for a third offense within three years of two offenses. HB 640 passed House with no debate on March 8 in 318-36 vote. 11:00 a.m. — public hearing on HB 215 (study commission) in the Senate Judiciary Committee (State House Room 100). The bill would create a study commission to contemplate the potential impacts of adult use legalization and regulation. HB 215 passed the House on the consent calendar in a voice vote with no objections. Afternoon: Hearings on Therapeutic Cannabis Bills 1:15 p.m. — public hearing on HB 160 (PTSD) in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee (Legislative Office Building Room 101). The bill would add post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition. Passed the House 302-46 on March 8. 1:30 p.m. — public hearing on HB 472 (limited cultivation by qualifying patients and caregivers) in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee (Legislative Office Building Room 101). The bill would allow a qualifying patient or his or her caregiver to possess up to two mature plants and 12 seedlings. It was voted down 14-7 by House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee, but the House overturned the committee 213-118 and passed the bill in voice vote. It’s worth noting that personal cultivation of cannabis is now legal for all adults 21 and older in both Massachusetts and Maine. Patients may grow their own cannabis in all three neighboring states. 1:45 p.m. — public hearing on HB 157 (moderate to severe chronic pain) in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee (Legislative Office Building Room 101). The bill would allow patients to qualify if they experience “moderate to severe chronic pain,” regardless of whether or not they have a qualifying medical condition. The bill passed the House 301-47 on March 8. The Senate has passed a weaker version of this bill (SB 15), which would create a general qualifying condition for “severe pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medications or surgical measures, or for which other treatments have produced serious side-effects.” However, this proposed policy is not good enough because it would continue to send medical providers the message that patients should have to try opioids, or have surgery, before they can qualify for therapeutic use of cannabis. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested in testifying, so we can coordinate. We need as many people as possible to attend these hearings, sign in, and show support for these important reforms!