The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has proposed a fee structure for a self-financed medical marijuana industry that supports patient access without relying on taxpayer resources.

Acting DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said:

“The program will be self-sustaining through fees on registered marijuana dispensaries and patients. The proposed patient registration fees are in line with other states and will be affordable. At the same time, dispensaries will be required to pay their fair share.”

The fees will be used to meet the program’s operational requirements, such as recruiting employees and teaching inspectors to keep an eye on the industry.

An online system will also be created by the DPH for enrolling and inspecting for participant eligibility. The fees are set to take care of all approximated operating costs, making the voter approved law revenue neutral.

The draft fee regulations state that a non-refundable fee of $1,500 would be paid by registered marijuana dispensaries for the first phase of an application and a non-refundable $30,000 for the second phase.

Each year, licensed dispensaries would pay a fee of $50,000 for Certificate of Registration and Renewal. For each of their agents, the dispensaries would also have to pay a yearly registration fee of $500.

A $50 registration fee would be paid yearly by qualified patients, and those who qualify for hardship cultivation license would be required to pay an extra $100 fee each year.

No fees would have to be paid by personal caregivers, according to the report.

“Patients with a verified financial hardship may request a waiver of the registration fee subject to review and approval by the DPH,” the experts said.

The draft fee regulations will be put through a public hearing, which will take place Friday, June 14 at 1 p.m. at DPH offices at 250 Washington St. in Boston, and public comment process.

The DPH has included considerable input from patient advocates, stakeholders, and industry representatives throughout this process.

According to the authors, the DPH will continue this process as it sets up a fee structure that is not only appropriate, but also reasonable.

The experts said:

“On May 8, the Public Health Council approved regulations for cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana and registration of patients and personal caregivers, among other issues.

The approval followed unprecedented feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. The Public Health Council commended DPH for its thoughtful development of the regulations for the voter-approved law.”

A report from 2011 informed that the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) established their rules for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program.

Written by Sarah Glynn