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Ri Gov Wants Patient Tax


Norby

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Medical Marijuana

Rhode Island Governor Wants to Impose Hefty Plant Tax on Patients, Caregivers. Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) has introduced a medical marijuana reform plan that would impose a $150 per plant tax on plants grown by patients and a $350 per plant tax on plants grown by caregivers. The governor says this will help the state raise $8.4 million in new tax revenues. But that tax is based on the administration's position that each plant is worth $17,000, which is nowhere near the case. Patient advocates are not happy.

 

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2016/feb/03/dc_council_backs_away_from_mj_club_ban

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Preliminary Summary Of Governor’s Proposal

 

This is a preliminary summary of the changes that the Governor’s Proposal would make to the MMj Program.   They are extensive. We will continue to refine this summary so please check website for updates.  We just received a written copy of the proposal last night.  This summary does not include comments but we will insert those later. I will also be asking the Governor’s office to clarify some provisions.

You will see references to DBR.  DBR is the Department of Business Regulation and it is going to be playing a major role in the regulation of the MMj Program if the Governor’s proposal is enacted.

Please keep in mind that this is a proposal that still has to be approved by General Assembly to become law.  That is why it is so important to educate your state rep and state senator.

 

Every Plant Must Have Tag

 

Every MMj plant in RI would be required to have a tag except for Compassion Center plants.

Tags to be purchased annually from Department of Business Regulation (DBR) at a price to be determined by DBR regulation.

The Governor said that the prices per tag would be $150 for patients and $350 for caregivers.  The fact that the Governor has announced the prices gives the impression that DBR has already determined the prices.  Ordinarily, there is a public hearing prior to a regulation being issued. DBR can, but is not required to, issue regulations with lower prices for low income patients and caregivers who provide for low income patients.

 

Patients and Compassion Centers

 

A patient could purchase at any of the 3 compassion centers. No more registering for compassion centers.

 

Plant Counts

 

Patients may have up to 6 plants, including seedlings. According to the Governor’s office, patients may have a combination of mature plants and seedlings as long as the total does not exceed six.  This is a 75% reduction in the plant count.

 

Caregivers may still be registered for as many as five patients. They may have six plants (a combination of mature plants and seedlings) per patient   However, they cannot exceed a total of 24 (mature and seedlings) plants.

 

A patient who is also a caregiver must count him or herself as one of the patients. Therefore, a patient who becomes a caregiver can have a maximum of 4 patients and count themselves as the fifth.

 

Co-ops will have the same total plant counts with no distinction between mature plants and seedlings. Instead of 24 mature and 12 seedlings, a residential co-op could have a total of 36 in any combination.

 

Instead of 48 mature and 24 seedlings, non-residential co-ops could have a total 72 plants in any combination.

 

Co-ops must have patients to correspond with plant numbers. A residential co-op would have to provide for at least six patients to grow 36 plants. A non-residential co-op would have to provide for at least 12 patients to grow 72 plants.

 

Grow Locations

 

Maximum of 24 plants in a dwelling unit or commercial unit except for co-ops and “licensed cultivators”. Commercial unit is a building or room within commercial building.  A dwelling unit means the room or group of rooms within a dwelling used or  intended for use by one family or household, or by no more than three  unrelated individuals, for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.

 

All grows must be registered with DBR. A cardholder can grow in only one location.

 

Authorized Purchaser

 

Patient may designate “authorized purchaser” to purchase medicine at compassion centers for them. Must be 21 and register with health department. They may not grow or use patient’s medicine.

 

Patient Options for Medicine

 

Would have to choose between caregiver or authorized purchaser and growing plants.

Could grow six plants and use the compassion centers but could not appoint caregiver or authorized purchaser.

Could appoint a caregiver or an authorized purchaser but would not be permitted to grow. Could use the compassion centers.

Could not have both a caregiver and an authorized purchaser.

 

Flammable Chemical Extracts

 

Patients and caregivers prohibited from creating concentrates through flammable solvents including, but not limited to, butane, hexane, propane.

 

Physicians

 

Massachusetts and Connecticut physicians could no longer certify patient applications. RI physicians only.

 

Cultivators License

New category of grower to be licensed and regulated by DBR

DBR would issue regulations that determine qualifications, plant counts, etc

Each plant must have tag to be paid annually

Could not be a caregiver or participate in co-op

Could sell to compassion centers only

 

Inspection

 

Primary caregiver cardholders, licensed cultivators, licensed compassion centers, and licensed cooperative cultivations would be subject to reasonable inspection by the department of business regulation for the purposes of enforcing regulations and laws

 

Department of Business Regulation

 

Would register grows, license and inspect

License and regulate compassion centers.

 

Health Department

Would still register patients.

Would register authorized purchasers

Regulate labelling, testing and maintenance of compassion center products

 

Hospice Patients

 

Health department would expedite applications for Hospice patients

 

Compassion Centers

 

The current 4% tax would be reduced to 3%

 

Gifting Provision

 

The gifting provision allows a patient or caregiver to GIVE medicine to another cardholder as long as there is no consideration (nothing of value is asked for in return) and the person receiving the gift does not go over their limit. The gifting provision would be eliminated.

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R.I. revenues from medical marijuana miss the mark

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/08/16/rhode-island-says-revenues-from-medical-marijuana-lower-than-projected/MK9FMujNb7aZEMv8PyTnSL/story.html

 

 

August 17, 2015

 

PROVIDENCE — It has been two years since Rhode Island launched its medical marijuana market and opened dispensaries around the state, but tax revenues haven’t been quite as high as state officials expected.

There are now three medical marijuana dispensaries — also known as compassion centers — selling marijuana to patients in Rhode Island, with the state collecting a 4 percent surcharge and a 7 percent sales tax on all their transactions. While revenues are increasing, some centers say they’re facing increasing competition from caregivers who can grow and sell medical marijuana without paying taxes to the state.

 

‘‘There are people out there who’ve made this a full-time business,’’ said Chris Reilly, a spokesman for the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center in Providence. ‘‘It’s a competitive force that’s real.’’

State officials report that medical marijuana revenues are about half of what was predicted as the state prepared to legalize compassion centers. The dispensaries don’t have to disclose sales figures, but the state discloses aggregate figures for the revenues it collects.

In 2012, the Rhode Island Department of Revenue estimated that sales tax from medical marijuana would total approximately $2 million and that the surcharge would total approximately $1.1 million by 2016. Now, the department is projecting that sales tax will be about $1 million and the surcharge about $675,000 in fiscal year 2016.

 

‘‘One million dollars is nothing to sneeze at, but if you think about meals and beverages, on the sales tax side, that’s about 20 percent of our sales tax, that’s $150 million to $160 million a year or more,’’ said Paul Dion, the chief of the Office of Revenue Analysis at the state Revenue Department.

The Revenue Department’s estimates in 2011 were based on estimates it received from compassion centers as they prepared to open, Dion said. The department did not take into account an increase in caregivers because it expected the compassion centers to do that, he said.

 

In 2011, there were 2,732 licensed caregivers; now there are 3,245, according to the Health Department.

While the revenues have been lower than projected, they are increasing. The Rhode Island Division of Taxation reports the amount of surcharge revenue the state collects increased from $269,156 in 2014 to $385,724 in 2015, a 43 percent increase.

The number of medical marijuana patients has also increased, from 4,241 in 2011 to 11,620 this year, according to the latest data from the state Health Department.

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RIG’D: BLUNT TRUTH GOES TO RHODE ISLAND

 

https://digboston.com/rigd-blunt-truth-goes-to-rhode-island/

 

 

Earlier this month, several hundred medical marijuana patients and caregivers protested a new bill at the Rhode Island State House that would replace the state’s current caregiver system with a monopolistic medical marijuana dispensary model. The bill in question is co-sponsored by five Democratic state senators, while a group called Responsible Caregivers of Rhode Island started a gofundme campaign to raise money for an opposition lobbyist. At the time of this writing, they had already, rather quickly raised more than $5,700 from 31 individuals.

 

“If [the bill] passes, the medical marijuana program in [Rhode Island] loses its caregivers and thousands of patients would be priced out of the program,” says Ocean State medical patient Peter Benson. “It would prevent many of us from obtaining safe natural affordable medicine. Personally, I would need to go back on opiates and pharmaceutical muscle relaxers.”

 

Another patient, Tony Elliott posted on the Facebook event for the protest, “We have done some digging and discovered that the lobbyists that are behind this bill are being paid $5,500 a month from RI Growers and Distributors, LLC of Wakefield. The two main lobbyists, Steven Alves and Peter Petrarca are there names. Steven Alves was involved in several scandals, including a scandal back in 2003 dubbed ‘Operation Dollar Bill.’” Anne Armstrong, a former fringe candidate for governor in Rhode Island has also weighed in: “Why is a bogus organization called RIG’D paying Operation Dollar Bill Sleaze Lobbyists, Stephen Alves $11,000.00 per month to rig cannabis laws in Rhode Island?” The revelations continue:

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Proponents Claim Eliminating 'Caregivers' Would Create Stronger Medical Marijuana Regulation   

 

A bill that would eliminate caregivers from the state’s medical marijuana program continues to stir up controversy. But a lobbyist behind the bill says his client simply wants more regulation of the medical marijuana industry.

 

So-called caregivers are allowed to grow a small number of medical marijuana plants for a few patients. They’ve launched a campaign to discredit a bill that would replace caregivers with two growing and distribution centers. Lobbyist Peter Petrarca denies claims the bill would only benefit his client, Rhode Island Growers and Distributors LLC.

 

“I don’t understand where all this witch talk is coming from. Because all we’re simply trying to do is regulate an industry,” said Petrarca.

His client, Rhode Island Growers and Distributors, wants to establish a facility to cultivate and distribute medical marijuana that would be more tightly regulated.

 

“We’re not looking to destroy anyone. But we’re looking to have everyone come to the table and realize what’s going on with medical marijuana, and where it’s going, and what’s going to have to happen. It’s going to have to be regulated exactly like alcohol,” said Petrarca.

 

Proponents of caregivers in the state’s medical marijuana program say they’re essential for supplying patients who can’t travel or can’t afford what’s sold at compassion centers.

 

He said caregivers are not regulated, but the distributors would be. He says his client has experience and is prepared to build a safe operation. His client is a new company registered to real estate agent Douglas DeSimone. He could not be reached for comment.

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Is this a surprise?

 

It is always about the money.

 

Wonder why something like this hasn't here?

 

 Well, some dedicated individuals have fervently opposed such issues in this state and put up a lobby to help make sure the voice of the patient is heard.  Everyone can make a difference. Stand up against such lobbyist groups and commercial/corporate interests who denigrate patients abilities to care for themselves.  Call em out. 

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Interestingly one element in the Michigan approach that differs from Rhode Island is the acceptance level of MMJ by the ruling party.

 

In Michigan the Repiblcan led government has continued to focus on Prohibition and deny there are any medical benefits while the Democratic Rhode Islanders have apparently chosen to leverage MMJ into a quasi-legal recreational market to generate additional tax revenues.

 

We get the government we deserve.

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Hi Zach. Do you really think any state will ever 'free the weed'?

 

Know anyone who brews beer in their basement to give to their friends and neighbors for donations?

 

MMJ patients are the most beleaguered minority in America today, bar none; targeted by both wings of an ever larger government.

 

We used to be a nation of citizens who controlled a government. Now we have devolved into a government that controls its citizens.

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This is why primaries are so important.

 

As iposted in the governors thread, 3 of 5 democratic candidates are supportive of marijuana to varying degrees and 2 are not. 5 of 5 republican candidates are anti marijuana though.  At least o the Dem side we have a better than 50% chance of getting marijuana supportive candidates for governor.  Seems they made this mistake in Rhode Island in the primary.

 

 

IMP/Target Insyght 2018 MI Governor Poll: Schuette, Miller Locked in Close GOP Race, Duggan Leads Dems, Despite Claim He Won't Run


 
Sunday, February 7, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:  
Susan J. Demas, IMP Editor and Publisher, 517-420-6779, susan@sjdemas.com
Ed Sarpolus, Target Insyght Executive Director, 517-927-9776, esarpolus@gmail.com
 
Term-limited Attorney General Bill Schuette and retiring U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (R-Harrison Twp.) are virtually tied in a new poll of the 2018 GOP primary for Michigan governor.
Schuette had 21% and Miller took 20% in an automated survey for Inside Michigan Politics and Target Insyght. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley had 11% and state Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) had 3%, with 45% of voters undecided.
Gov. Rick Snyder is term-limited and cannot run again in 2018.
"After being such a high-profile partner to Gov. Snyder, you'd think Brian Calley would be running away with the 2018 Republican nomination to succeed him," said Susan J. Demas, Editor and Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. "Instead, he's a distant third to Attorney General Bill Schuette, who's the top pick of conservative voters, and Candice Miller, the clear choice of establishment GOP voters."
"Legislative leaders always want to make the leap to statewide office, but I don't see a path for an Arlan Meekhof victory," said Ed Sarpolus, Executive Director of Target Insyght. "It's not clear that Candice Miller is running -- but if she does, she'll be a force to be reckoned with."
In the Democratic primary, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan led with 20%, even though he has said he's not interested in running in 2018. Former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) had 16%, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) received 12% and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel had 9%. And 43% of voters were undecided.
"The Democratic nomination is Mike Duggan's if he wants it -- but for now, he's insisting that he doesn't," Sarpolus said. "Gretchen Whitmer's aggressive outreach schedule in the last six months has definitely paid off with her second-place finish. But with more than four in 10 voters undecided, anything can happen."
"Dan Kildee has raised his profile in few months, taking the lead on the Flint water crisis and in getting U.S. veteran Amir Hekmati released from Iran. If Mike Duggan doesn't run, Kildee is in prime position to capture some of his support in metro Detroit -- which is the key area any Democrat needs to win," Demas said. "Mark Hackel clearly has the most crossover appeal, but that's not going to help him win the Democratic primary."
IMP and Target Insyght automatically polled 400 likely Michigan GOP primary voters and 400 likely Michigan Democratic primary voters from Feb. 2 to 4. Each survey has a margin of error of 5%.

 

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By this, teh dems would have you mandated to pay for healthcare and then tax you to grow your own meds(which aren't covered by the healthcare mandate even though it's shown to work better on more diseases than any pharma and people are giving up their pharmas in favor of MJ) and by the other bills introduced by dems, still be punished the same for going over a 5 plant or 1 oz limit.  Combining VT and the RI bills. 

 

And this is the wrong thread Mal, Mi gov. candidates is in the other thread.  This is 5 RI senators who are all dems and this is about them taking your money.  Really we are not in the majority enough to influence the primaries.  you are not going to get all the MJ voters to outnumber the people who come out to vote other people in for other reasons.  Unless we write, call whatever our reps who DO get in office, we have no chance.  It's all about working relentlessly with the people who are in office.  I'm not saying it isn't worth trying but expecting anything from it is pretty crazy.  Voting on one issue never works.  They all fall to the pressure to regulate.  Unless they feel people are watching over their back, and even then depending on who's pocket they are in it may not do any good, they'll cave to who pays them.  We shouldn't have to pay for our meds, healthcare and for the influence of our gov't.  Maybe there is no hope period and you just have to wait or put it thru as the people.  Maybe our gov't majority is already paid for and no # of calls, letters, sranding on their door would work.  but asking the minority people in the program to control the primaries, well I don't think it has as much a chance as abrogate does.

 

the only chance, slim as it is, is to get 10% of the vote for the green party or librtarian candidate and let it be known it was because of their stance on mj.  then whoever wins would have to take notice. it has to be a saperate message rather than just voting for the "right dems" some places they just aren't there as shown by how many dems voted for a transport law.

Edited by Norby
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In Michigan the a Republicans have endeavored to continue the arrest-and-punishment method of market regulation even after the MMMA.

 

Rhode Island is a Democratic alternative approach to regulating the marijuana market directly for the tax revenues.

 

The Michigan Republicans raise the price of pot by putting people in jail and taxpayers foot the bill.

 

The Rhode Island approach uses a government monopoly to regulate the price of pot and generate tax revenue.

 

Interestingly, some elements of the Progressive Rhode Island Demcratic approach are under consideration in Michigan.

 

The appeal to Michigan Republican's is two-fold; the Democratic approach includes both higher taxes and the continuing opportunity to continue to arrest anyone who doesn't adhere to their government rules and pay their required taxes for the government's high priced approved pot.

 

Pretty unsportsmanlike I'd say.

Edited by outsideinthecold
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