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Summary of Question 3
This proposed law would eliminate state criminal and civil penalties for the medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients. To qualify, a patient must have been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV-positive status or AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, or multiple sclerosis. The patient would also have to obtain a written certification, from a physician with whom the patient has a bona fide physician-patient relationship, that the patient has a specific debilitating medical condition and would likely obtain a net benefit from medical use of marijuana. The proposed law would allow patients to possess up to a 60-day supply of marijuana for their personal medical use. The state Department of Public Health (DPH) would decide what amount would be a 60-day supply. A patient could designate a personal caregiver, at least 21 years old, who could assist with the patient's medical use of marijuana but would be prohibited from consuming that marijuana. Patients and caregivers would have to register with DPH by submitting the physician's certification. The proposed law would allow for non-profit medical marijuana treatment centers to grow, process and provide marijuana to patients or their caregivers. A treatment center would have to apply for a DPH registration by (1) paying a fee to offset DPH's administrative costs; (2) identifying its location and one additional location, if any, where marijuana would be grown; and (3) submitting operating procedures, consistent with rules to be issued by DPH, including cultivation and storage of marijuana only in enclosed, locked facilities. A treatment center's personnel would have to register with DPH before working or volunteering at the center, be at least 21 years old, and have no felony drug convictions. In 2013, there could be no more than 35 treatment centers, with at least one but not more than five centers in each county. In later years, DPH could modify the number of centers. The proposed law would require DPH to issue a cultivation registration to a qualifying patient whose access to a treatment center is limited by financial hardship, physical inability to access reasonable transportation, or distance. This would allow the patient or caregiver to grow only enough plants, in a closed, locked facility, for a 60-day supply of marijuana for the patient's own use. DPH could revoke any registration for a willful violation of the proposed law. Fraudulent use of a DPH registration could be punished by up to six months in a house of correction or a fine of up to $500, and fraudulent use of a registration for the sale, distribution, or trafficking of marijuana for non-medical use for profit could be punished by up to five years in state prison or by two and one-half years in a house of correction. The proposed law would (1) not give immunity under federal law or obstruct federal enforcement of federal law; (2) not supersede Massachusetts laws prohibiting possession, cultivation, or sale of marijuana for nonmedical purposes; (3) not allow the operation of a motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft while under the influence of marijuana; (4) not require any health insurer or government entity to reimburse for the costs of the medical use of marijuana; (5) not require any health care professional to authorize the medical use of marijuana; (6) not require any accommodation of the medical use of marijuana in any workplace, school bus or grounds, youth center, or correctional facility; and (7) not require any accommodation of smoking marijuana in any public place. The proposed law would take effect January 1, 2013, and states that if any of its part were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

2012 - Plymouth County - Question 3Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 1, 2012?

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Plymouth County Results
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City/Town Ward Pct Blanks Total Votes Cast
Totals
150,695
96,330
10,709 257,734
Abington More »
 
4,888
3,136
319
8,343
Bridgewater More »
 
7,047
4,523
545
12,115
Brockton More »
 
18,009
13,046
3,430
34,485
Carver More »
 
3,629
2,320
137
6,086
Duxbury More »
 
5,666
3,734
299
9,699
E. Bridgewater More »
 
4,384
2,762
220
7,366
Halifax More »
 
2,409
1,544
151
4,104
Hanover More »
 
4,557
3,511
328
8,396
Hanson More »
 
3,306
2,192
127
5,625
Hingham More »
 
8,155
5,537
559
14,251
Hull More »
 
4,102
1,769
240
6,111
Kingston More »
 
4,093
2,671
242
7,006
Lakeville More »
 
3,462
2,228
211
5,901
Marion
 
1,976
1,135
130
3,241
Marshfield More »
 
9,069
5,627
459
15,155
Mattapoisett
 
2,440
1,413
225
4,078
Middleborough More »
 
6,929
4,143
554
11,626
Norwell More »
 
3,771
2,554
185
6,510
Pembroke More »
 
5,924
3,645
272
9,841
Plymouth More »
 
18,644
10,952
525
30,121
Plympton
 
1,101
593
58
1,752
Rochester
 
1,848
1,151
147
3,146
Rockland More »
 
5,178
3,386
267
8,831
Scituate More »
 
6,830
4,289
364
11,483
Wareham More »
 
6,526
4,059
391
10,976
W. Bridgewater More »
 
2,279
1,577
133
3,989
Whitman More »
 
4,473
2,833
191
7,497
County Totals
150,695
96,330
10,709 257,734