S.7923 Summary: Medical Use of Marihuana

• Establishes a medical marihuana program allowing certified patients with serious conditions (cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's, MS, epilepsy, and others) to legally possess and use marihuana under practitioner certification, with a 30-day supply limit and prohibition on smoking.

• Creates registry identification cards for certified patients and designated caregivers (up to two per patient), issued by the Department of Health after practitioner certification, requiring a $50 application fee with possible waivers for financial hardship.

• Authorizes registered organizations (for-profit and non-profit) to manufacture and dispense medical marihuana in secure indoor facilities, subject to Department registration, independent laboratory testing, labor peace agreement requirements, and real-time reporting to the Department.

• Imposes a 7% excise tax on medical marihuana sales by registered organizations, with revenue distributed to counties where marihuana is manufactured or dispensed (22.5% each), substance abuse services (5%), and law enforcement grants (5%).

• Protects certified patients, caregivers, practitioners, and registered organization employees from arrest, prosecution, and discrimination based on medical marihuana use; creates criminal penalties for diversion by practitioners (Class E felony) and unauthorized distribution (Class B misdemeanor); sunsets after seven years.