The Illinois Department of Public Health will host two public hearings regarding the administrative rules proposed for the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, including one in Springfield.
The first meeting will be held at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on May 5, at 9:30 a.m., in the Assembly Hall Audiorium.
The second meeting will be held at the University of Springfield, at 1 University Plaza, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21.
In March, lawyers representing a group interested in placing a cultivation center and dispensary in Litchfield addressed the Litchfield City Council regarding their initial plans.
The proposed rules for implementing the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act were published in the Illinois Register on April 18, which marked the beginning of the formal rule making process, and will be available for 45 days of public comment until the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) begins its review.
Among the changes announced by the state were the reduction of cultivation centers from 22 to 21. The number of cultivation centers is based on Illinois State Police Districts, but District 15 is the Illinois Tollway system and does not apply, hence the reduction.
Other changes to the cultivation center rules include that one entity can be awarded licenses for up to three cultivation centers, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will inspect each facility at least weekly and live security camera video will feed to the IDOA and to the Illinois State Police, and the single-stage application process includes a $25,000 non-refundable application fee, proof of $500,000 in liquid assets and documentation satisfying selection and optional bonus criteria.
For dispensaries, the changes included rules defining residential zoning areas and an explanation of the two-stage application process, which includes a $5,000 non-refundable application fee, proof of $400,000 in liquid assets and documentation satisfying selection and optional bonus criteria.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will permit up to 60 dispensaries around the state and one entity can receive permits in up to five districts.
For patients and caregivers, the Illinois Dpeartment of Public Health reduced the registration fees to $100 for eligible patients; $50 for eligible patients on Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance, as well as veterans; and $25 for caregivers.
Other rule changes include the removal of language regarding Firearm Owners Identification cards and medical cannabis identification cards (the state is still looking at how the medical cannabis and firearm laws may interact with federal firearm laws) and the clarification of physician written certification and pre-operation cultivation center inspections.
The Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee was also expanded to include qualifying patients, a health care provider with general practice experience and nurses or nurse practitioners with experience working with medical cannabis patients. The 15-member committee will review petitions to recommend adding qualifying medical conditions twice each year.
Cultivators will also pay a seven percent privilege tax on sales to dispensaries and patients/caregivers will pay a one percent sales tax.
JCAR follows a two-step process that generally lasts for a minimum of 90 days. Both the general public and the General Assembly, through JCAR, have the chance to offer input prior to the rules being adopted. For more information visit www.ilga.gov/commission/Jcar/.
The complete rules for the dispensing sites and cultivation centers can be found at www2.illinois.gov/gov/mcpp.
Public Meetings Set For Medical Cannabis Rules
No comments:
Post a Comment