MA could expand medical cannabis program, boost competition

Massachusetts health regulators proposed changes to the state’s medical marijuana program on Wednesday designed to boost patient numbers and make it easier for patients to compare dispensary prices.

The proposals include allowing nurse practitioners to certify patients for MMJ, a move that could expand the state’s patient pool. Regulators also proposed allowing dispensaries to post their prices online, MassLive.com reported, which would boost competition among dispensaries.

Another proposed regulation would give dispensaries more flexibility to transfer products among one another, while another would require product labels to include warnings related to pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The proposals were made to the state’s Public Health Council, which is expected to vote on them in the next several months.

Massachusetts had nearly 30,000 active patients registered through the end of August, as well as 167 registered physicians. Seven dispensaries are currently open in the state.

Kay Doyle, deputy general counsel for the state’s Department of Public Health, called the proposed changes “common sense” reforms that would simplify existing regulations.