Medical marijuana providers and patients voiced opposition to proposed rules that would regulate how the industry functions, saying in a public hearing Thursday the changes would put an incredible financial and time burden on their businesses.
Earlier this month the state Department of Public Health and Human Services released proposed rules that would regulate the industry. The rules govern how the department will implement a law passed by the Legislature earlier this year that includes a 4 percent tax on the gross sales of providers and the implementation of a seed-to-sale tracking system, among other changes.
Montanans first voted to legalize medical marijuana through a ballot initiative in 2004. In 2011, the state Legislature attempted to repeal the initiative, but the effort was vetoed by then-Gov. Brian Schweitzer. After that, the Legislature moved to enact regulations on the industry that severely reduced the number of patients.
In the 2016 election, voters passed another initiative to expand medical marijuana in the state. That led to the law passed by the Legislature last session, Senate Bill 333.
More than 100 people filled a basement hearing room at the health department Thursday, with more than 30 speaking against the rules while just three spoke in support.
Top image: © Americanspirit | Dreamstime.com
