Southeast Regional Meeting Notes

6-Dec-12

Medical Marijuana

Questions for DPH

. How is Mass DPH going to collect information and what is the mechanism for dialogue? Who is DPH working with? Do they need assistance? MAPA is working with MMA, attorneys, national experts from communities who have gone through this. They would like to assist.

. Suggestion of hosting regional Town Hall Meetings…..request that there be a formalized the hearing process around the state. Coalitions can help identify and secure space locally.

. Suggestion that the state seriously establish the “program” in the truest sense of the “medical model” – tracking recommendations, patients etc., similar to prescription drugs. Could the prescription drug monitoring program be utilized?

. How is “bona fide” dr/patient relationship being defined? Is this limited to MD’s? It is unclear? Can a Dr. be stationed at the dispensary? Does bona fide relationship cover this?

. How will the “home grown” work? Will it be a locked facility? What about rental property? The Tenant will now be able to change the locks and the owner may not be able to gain access to their own property.

. What about Dukes County? Will there/could there be 5 dispensaries on the Island since they are Dukes County? Concerns about home grown expressed. Their coalition had multiple focus among members – focus on youth access vs. prohibition.

. What can they do to delay zoning?

. Would like to see Mass Board Certification to Recommend

. Suggest that DPH utilize the Precautionary Principle – for planning board must take the most stringent stand until more information available.

Other comments and questions

. Andy Epstein at DPH is the contact person at DPH to direct any questions or concerns. [email protected]

. In Stoughton a focus group was conducted with high risk youth (agreed not representative). These youth expressed excitement about the law and can’t wait to get their cards. They believe there will be full legalization in 2016.

. In Avon, it is presently smoke-free. They believe the do not have to allow smoking. They have also polled some employers. They wonder if they drug test if they will be sued for not employing a positive candidate? They would not want these folks on the job.

. NOT a prescription, rather it is a recommendation Southeast Regional Meeting Notes

. There was a question about how a non-profit would set up a dispensary. What fees would be collected and it was stated that the fees need to cover the costs for administration of the program.

. Concerned about home growing “hardship” policy….rental property unintended consequences

. Need more information and understanding about the “non-profit” nature of the business

Data conversation

. Vineyard HS rate is 39% a 5% increase over several years. They do assessments every other year

. Stoughton has a rate of 28%. They are surveying again soon

. Middleboro MS rate prior to 2008 was 3% in 2010 it is 8% so it is increasing

. Fall River YRBS HS will do. They did the YHS in the past. They are concerned being on the boarder of Rhode Island (medical marijuana dispensary not up and running yet- but there will be influence once it is)

Regional Planning Section of the Program

What’s Important

. Marijuana prevention

. Faith involvement

. Plymouth-Policy changes

. Avon-Marijuana

. Cape- Prescription drugs and marijuana

. Brockton- Access to alcohol and policy

. Weymouth-Protect neighborhoods and families

. Quincy-Education

. Brockton-Support recovery and secondary prevention

. DA- Involve parents

. Keeping young people involved

Biggest Challenge

. Parent involvement Southeast Regional Meeting Notes

. Reach consensus

. Defragmentation

. Bring grassroots to prevention coalitions

. Faith community fear factor (misperception??)

. People don’t want to be involved because of lack of understanding

. Resources $

. Dealing with controversial issues

. Explain in clear messaging for difficult issues

Legacy – Long term goal 5 years

. Recruit and develop an army of young people engaged and doing the work to create change in their communities

. Prevention infrastructure as part of city government

. Build a foundation for prevention

. Drug rates are down