CONCEPT DRAFT

SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to create a pilot program allowing one medical marijuana distribution center in the State. The center would be incorporated as a nonprofit entity managed and overseen by a diverse community group. In particular, this bill would propose the following.

1. A single nonprofit center, referred to herein as the "center," would be incorporated for the purpose of cultivating and distributing medical marijuana to individuals qualified under the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998. The center would also be authorized to distribute or lend, or both, cultivation equipment, supplies and seeds to qualified individuals for cultivation for personal use.

2. The center would be overseen and managed by a community board made up a wide range of individuals drawn from the community area of the center's site. Members of the community board might include members drawn from the following groups: law enforcement, current and former patients, patient advocates, hospice facilities, education professionals, legal community, business, pharmacists, clergy, medicine and other groups involved in the community.

3. The framework for the operation of the community board would be included in the enabling legislation. Among other things, the framework would provide for term length of board members, qualifying members as described above, civil and criminal immunity protection for board members and employees acting within the scope of the center's mission and the authorization to use Maine's nonprofit business statute as a basis for organizational structure.

4. The center would be able to charge patients for the product to help cover the cost of the center. The center would also be prohibited from securing medical marijuana from outside the State.

5. A mandatory registry system for patients using the center would be created to ensure that only qualified individuals access the center's services. The system would be maintained by the center with oversight and input from the sheriff of the county within which the center is located. Other law enforcement