Tomasso Takes Stand Against Compassion Center Resale

Rep. Lisa P. Tomasso (D-Dist. 29, Coventry, West Greenwich) expressed disappointment at the passage of legislation (2012-H 7888A), which clears the way for medical marijuana compassion centers to open in Rhode Island because of its provision allowing caregivers to resell surplus marijuana back to the centers.

The representative introduced an amendment striking the provision allowing that method of resale.

“I served on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee and passed this bill, but not without expressing these concerns,” Representative Tomasso said. “Under the current law, a registered qualifying patient registered primary caregiver may give marijuana to another registered qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver to whom they are not connected by the department’s registration process, provided that no consideration is paid for the marijuana.”

The caregivers have already been given a legal vehicle to dispose of surplus marijuana, she said. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Scott Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence), includes compromise language worked out between legislative leaders and the governor. The new language will help alleviate concerns that the federal government would target the compassion centers or patients using their services. But Representative Tomasso said there just aren’t enough “checks and balances” in the legislation to ensure protection for patients.

“We have no way of knowing whether or not caregivers are giving legally or illegally cultivated marijuana to our compassion centers,” the representative added. “We don’t have enough regulations on the books. This bill is not about compassion centers. It’s about ensuring high quality patient care. I am for compassion centers, I believe that there are patients that desperately need this, but I also believed we needed a bill that passes with the correct checks and balances.”

She referred to California law, which authorizes the outsourcing of grow for resale in dispensaries. If an individual wanted to grow marijuana for resale, they would be required to engage in a formal contract with the dispensary, apply for a local permit through the local sheriff’s department and go through many of the permitting processes we use to authorize the Compassion Center, including a $1,500 application fee.

California growers are required to display the permit at the garden and are also required to purchase zipties at $50 per plant so the sheriff’s department can monitor the number of plants grown at each permitted garden.

“The compromise language in this bill does not provide any assurance to me that patients could purchase laced, enhanced, or molded products,” Representative Tomasso said. “Although the Slater Center indicated in its application that it would test all purchased marijuana, the law does not require it.”

The House passed the overall bill, also known as “The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act,” in a 64 to 7 vote. Representative Tomasso said she voted in favor of the bill because she believes it is still a law that is necessary for the people in Rhode Island who are suffering from intense illnesses.