HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1399        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 122

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to a medical marijuana pilot program.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1399        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 122

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4394 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act relative to a medical marijuana pilot program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of public health shall establish a pilot program for veterans to use medical marijuana to treat medical conditions that are currently being treated with opioid-based medicine and combat opioid use disorder. The program shall be known as the Crosby project and shall have 3 phases

(a)During phase 1, the department shall: (i) conduct research, including but not limited 1) reviewing medical research regarding the administration of medical marijuana, (2) reviewing medical marijuana delivery devices and identifying those devices which may be prescribed to a patient to achieve proper dosing, (3) consulting with veterans’ organizations throughout the United States which promote the use of medical marijuana, including conducting on-site visits, as necessary; (ii) evaluate current medical marijuana programs within the commonwealth, including but not limited to: (1) comparing the commonwealth’s programs with the medical marijuana programs within the United States, (2) evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of said programs, and (3) collaborating with other states who are evaluating medical marijuana programs to combat opiate use disorder; and (iii) develop a basic program structure, including but not limited to: (1) constructing a program outline, (2) developing a list of medical professionals interested in participating in the Crosby project, and (3) conducting a study to find veterans willing and eligible to participate in the Crosby project.

(b) During phase 2, the department shall: (i) launch the pilot program in a physical location in or near Boston , which shall be known as the veterans alternative health and wellness center; (ii) hire appropriate staff for the center, which may include: (1) medical professionals, (2) veterans advocacy case managers, (3) veterans contracted through work therapy programs; and (iii) produce a marketing campaign including local veterans and celebrities to reduce the stigma of medical marijuana. The department may provide additional support for veterans at the center, including: (i) on-site housing, provided in conjunction with non-profit organizations focused on ending homelessness; and (ii) alternative health care, which may include: (1) acupuncture, (2) natural medicine, (3) yoga and (4) massage therapy.

(c) During phase 3, the department shall: (i) evaluate pilot program results; and (ii) develop, with the use of pilot program results, and construct a statewide civilian pilot program to use medical marijuana to treat medical conditions that are currently being treated with opioid- based medicine and combat opioid use disorder.

SECTION 2. The department shall compile a report detailing its research findings and the program outline and shall submit that report to not later than December 31, 2024.