The Senate Government
Operations committee met Wednesday and reported two bills, on a 3-1 vote, that
would allow medical marijuana dispensaries and create regulations for them. The
substitute for House
Bill 4271 would give protection from criminal and civil sanctions to dispensaries
as well as registered patients and primary caregivers. The bill also gives
municipalities the power to permit dispensaries as well as require these
establishments to test their marijuana for pesticides, fungi, and mold.
The substitute for HB
5104 would legalize the use of medical marijuana through edible and topical
forms. It would also set out labeling guidelines and outline that any
transmission of medicinal marijuana to a non-registered patient is a felony
punishable by up to two years in prison and $2,000.
Senate Majority
Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), who chairs the Government Operations
committee, said that he wants to see the bills signed by the Governor but
acknowledged that the bills will go through significant changes before being
brought up on the Senate floor.
The committee heard
testimony from citizens who supported and opposed the bill for a variety of
reasons as well as from the State Police who questioned the safety of
dispensaries and why the bills did not address more safety concerns. Jim Powers
from Pediatric Cannabis Therapy supported the bills saying that some patients
who qualify for medicinal marijuana need marijuana in a smoke-free form.