Senate Joint Subcommittee, including Sub. No. 3 on Health and Human Services Hear Cannabis Trailer Bill

This week, the Senate convened a joint hearing on Cannabis Regulatory Implementation with Budget Subcommittees No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation, No. 3 on Health and Human Services (HHS) and No. 4 on State Administration and General Government.

Members were provided with updates/overviews from the State Board of Equalization, the Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulations, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Food and Agriculture. Discussion focused around the banking needs of the industry, funding and timelines for developing the state IT system for Track-and-Trace, and state staffing needs. Members also questioned the State’s likelihood of meeting the January 1, 2018, implementation date and contingency plans.

Senator Pan, chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on HHS, inquired about what is required in the physician’s recommendation. This discussion was in light of the State’s proposal to eliminate the state marijuana identification card program. All items were held open.