Have you or are you experiencing difficulties with the medical marijuana program under the management of the Department of Public Health (DPH)? The medical marijuana program at DPH is being transferred to the Cannabis Control Commission's control and everyone has an opportunity to have their voices heard and make a difference in the future of the program. The Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance (MPAA) is gathering patients together to hold a public comment workshop on the proposed medical marijuana regulations from the Cannabis Control Commission. We will have a few special guests in attendance including MPAA Advisory Board member Jeremiah MacKinnon. MPAA will provide excellent refreshments for everyone from Au Bon Pain who attends to get the meeting started off right.

Some topics we will cover at this workshop include the current patient registration process, card fees, pediatric access, ADA compliance, hardship cultivation, hardship discount programs, caregiver rules, cultural competency, virtual separation of medical products, medical business licensing, best practices for patients inside retailers, institutional caregivers, and ensuring a diverse patient population. We also welcome any other topics you want to discuss during the event.

Tentative Agenda

4:30pm - 4:45pm Refreshments from Au Bon Pain

4:45pm - 5:45pm MMJ Public Comment Workshop

5:45pm - 6:00pm Wrap-up





Can't make it October 4? Here is some information on how to offer testimony or submit comments to the Cannabis Control Commission: Copy of the Proposed Regulations: https://mass-cannabis-control.com/935-cmr-501-medical-use-of-marijuana-and-935-cmr-502-colocated-adult-use-and-medical-use/



Electronic or Written Comment: Please send comments to CannabisCommission@mass.gov. The Commission encourages submission of comments as soon as possible but they'll accept comment until October 29th at 5pm: Please submit comment as an attached Word document or as text within the body of an email.

Please note in the subject line “Draft Medical-Use Regulations” or “Draft Colocated-Operations Regulations” as appropriate.

All submissions should include the submitters’ full name and city or town.

Please identify the section of the regulations to which the submitted comments refer. Electronic submissions are preferred, however written submissions may be sent to the Commission at: Cannabis Control Commission 101 Federal St, 13th Floor Boston, MA 02110

Public hearings:

Monday, October 29, 2018 at 9:30 AM – Western New England University School of Law

1215 Wilbraham Road

Springfield, MA 01119 Monday, October 29, 2018 at 3:00 PM – Massachusetts Gaming Commission

101 Federal Street, 12th Floor

Boston, MA 02110



Featured Speakers

Jeremiah MacKinnon, Advisory Board Member of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance and Co-Founder and Vice President of the Cannabis Society of Massachusetts

Jeremiah is the Co-founder and Vice President of a non-profit social club which also has the distinction of being the largest cannabis focused meetup community on Earth known as the Cannabis Society of Massachusetts. He is also an advisory board member to the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance where he advises on issues related to patient and caregiver access, hardship, and the latest safe access points available for patients. Jeremiah has insight into the regulations proposed by the Cannabis Control Commission and will be able to explain details on any changes made to the rules.





Nichole Snow, President & Executive Director of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance

After meeting hundreds of patients across the state of Massachusetts while advocating for their right to safe access, Nichole was invited to take a leadership role in the alliance in 2014. Since becoming director of the fledgling organization, Nichole worked with all stakeholders involved in the implementation of Ch.369, ‘An Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana’ to craft and implement viable regulations, site over 100 safe access points across the Commonwealth, and grow the number certified patients from 153 in October of 2014 to a total of 52,536 as of July 31, 2018. Beginning her career in telecommunications, she now champions for patients’ rights to safe access to medical marijuana as the president & executive director of the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, Inc. and currently sits as an ex-officio advisory board member to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

Nichole has cultivated relationships with well-known mainstream media outlets and holds a strong tie to the community through national, local, and social media. After suffering two major car accidents and enduring debilitating muscle spasms resulting from them, she retired from her telecommunications career to follow through with her dream of safe access for all.





Event FAQ



What is the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance?

Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance represents the coalition of patients, providers and organizations that worked together to pass the ballot measure Question 3 in 2012 to legalize medical marijuana and establish a safely regulated medical marijuana program throughout the Commonwealth. MPAA is the primary stakeholder regarding the implementation of the Massachusetts medical marijuana program and we work with our base of over 15,000 supporters to impact safe access through educational endeavors and direct advocacy in cities and towns across MA. http://www.compassionforpatients.com/



Will there be medical marijuana at this event?



No. This is a non-consumption event. No medical marijuana is allowed to be consumed, exchanged, procured, or viewable by attendees of the event. We will focus on developing strong public comment on issues you're having with the medical marijuana program.



Is this event open to the public?

Yes this event is free to attend for anyone interested in submitting public comment about the proposed medical marijuana regulations to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.



Who Attends?

We welcome everyone to attend interested in learning about cannabis as medicine, where to access medical marijuana, how individuals and family members can help their loved ones access medical cannabis and submitting public comment to the Cannabis Control Commission on proposed medical regulations.



What are my transportation/parking options?

There is parking garages surrounding the One Beacon Street area and also street parking. If you need to carpool let us know by contacting director@compassionforpatients.com. The venue is easily accessible by public transportation via Park Street Station or Government Center Station.



Why should I attend?

We encourage everyone to attend who is considering submitting public comment on the proposed medical marijuana regulations recently made public by the Cannabis Control Commission.



How can I get the most from this event?

This is a workshop on public comment and we will discuss some of the highlights of the regulations as well as ways to address any problems patients are currently having with the program under the Department of Public Health.



Instagram / Twitter / Facebook Tips

One of the best ways to connect with fellow participants at our events is to use common hashtags when tweeting, facebooking, or instagramming about the event. Don't forget to take photos and share them with everyone using the hastags below. #MassPatients #RememberSafeAccess #SafeAccessNow #MMJFirst #MAPatients



About the Venue WeWork One Beacon Street

"Welcome to WeWork One Beacon Street—home to forward-thinking companies, fresh design, and vibrant community conveniently located in the heart of the Hub. Occupying the 14th and 15th floors of a 36-story tower, this prime Beacon Hill shared office space has it all. Here, brainstorming rooms are the birthplace of new product lines, networking events yield meaningful conversations, and business collaborators are around every corner. And the location is hard to beat. Onsite parking, bike storage, and access to the Blue, Red, and Green lines a block away make commuting a breeze no matter where you’re coming from. What are you waiting for? Book a tour of WeWork One Beacon Street today to put your business ahead of the curve." - https://www.wework.com/



Legal Disclaimer

Views or opinions expressed by speakers or sponsors at our local Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance (MPAA) educational events do not necessarily express the opinion or views of the MPAA organization or MPAA Foundation and we do not take responsibility for the views expressed or the actions of speakers or sponsors at our local events. The MPAA does not distribute or consume cannabis in any form at our events.