Public hearing for Conn. medical marijuana program April 22

The rules for how to implement Connecticut's medical marijuana program will be discussed at a public hearing in Hartford on April 22. The program is projected to cost $621,673 annually but earn $750,000 annually.

Any profit will be contained in the program's administrative account and may only be used for administering the program, according to the Department of Consumer Protection's fiscal estimate document.

The $750,000 in estimated revenue will come from fees for licensing and registering patients, caregivers, dispensaries and producers, according to the department. This estimate depends on the number of "qualified" patients and stakeholders such as caregivers.

The costs include funding for three drug control agents, one health program assistant, one license application analyst and one secretary. The department will also have to enhance its prescription drug-monitoring program and provide equipment for program staff.

Revenue from the sales tax associated with medical marijuana would not go into the administrative account; it would be treated as regular sales tax revenue, according to the department.

The rules will address items such as security requirements for handling and storing marijuana, qualifying medical conditions and physician certifications that would permit patients to use marijuana, according to the department's notice of intent to adopt regulations document.

Members of the public who want to submit arguments or data may submit it in writing to Department of Consumer Protection commissioner William Rubenstein.

Connecticut was the 16th state to pass a medical marijuana program and the rules for the program have to be submitted to the state legislature by July 1.