The way in which the current proposed rules are structured, there will be a very large number of underserved medical marijuana patients in the state of Massachusetts. Allowing for personal caregivers in the the MA MMJ program will go a long way to ensuring that the medical marijuana patients of Massachusetts will have safe and affordable access to their medical marijuana.

While we understand the intent of the proposed rules, (to prevent diversion of medication to the black market and to provide a high level of oversight of the dispensary model); we contend that the proposed rules under consideration significantly alter the original intent of the Question 3 ballot initiative and the true intent of that initiative.  Including a caregiver model along the same lines of the program established and very successful in Maine, would keep more money in local economies and provide the medical marijuana patients of Massachusetts more choice when it comes to choosing where to obtain their medicine.  This type of program will create more competition in the industry which will ultimately result in both caregivers and dispensaries producing the best possible quality of product and offering that product at the most competitive price possible in order to stay competitive and in business.