Licensed NonProfit Producers received an email from the Dept. informing us that a Public Hearing would be held for input and discussion on the now revised Proposed Regulations for the NM Medical Cannabis Program.
These new Proposed Regulations have not yet been made public, but the Department’s email informed the Producers that we would receive copies on Monday, Dec. 1. I hope so – we have scheduled a meeting of NM Drug Policy Alliance’s Cannabis Advisory Group for this Monday afternoon. The NM Cannabis Producers Association , “The Guild”, will be scheduling a meeting this week or next to assess strategies to deal with the Proposed Regulations – but first we have to see them.
The Department’s email also outlined several of the changes made since the last Public Hearing in June. Here they are for your info:
· Background checks for PPL’s will NOT be required
· Single fee structure based on the number of total plants ($30,000 for 150 plants; $10,000 for each additional 50 plants up to 450 total)
· Withdrawal of patient registry fee (but with a $50 replacement card fee)
· Withdrawal of testing requirements for heavy metals and pesticide chemical residue; adjustments to testing standards based on public feedback
Many other issues were loudly protested at the last Public Hearing and hopefully these have also be improved upon. We should know that tomorrow. As soon as we have copies of the revised Proposed Regulations, I will post them for your review and comments. I will also keep you in the loop on positions and strategies for DPA, NM Patients Alliance and The Producers Guild.