Meeting
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Minutes
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June 13,
2008
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10:00
am-2:00 pm
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Deschutes County
Administration Building
1300 NW Wall St.
Bend, OR 97701
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Meeting called
by
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Sandee Burbank, ACMM Chair
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Type of
meeting
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The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) Advisory
Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) provides an opportunity for public
discussion of administrative issues between OMMP management and the ACMM.
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Note taker
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Julie Sarnowski, OMMP
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Timekeeper
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Sandee Burbank, ACMM Chair
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meeting called
to order
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10:06 AM
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Attendees
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ACMM: Sandee
Burbank, Laird Funk, Dr. Darryl George, Chris Iverson, Jim Klahr, Madeline
Martinez, John Sajo, Todd Dalotto, Brian Michaels, Dr. Alan Cohn.
OMMP
Staff: Tawana Nichols, Sanya Rusynyk, Aaron Cossel, Julie
Sarnowski.
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Present as
listed on the sign-in sheet
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Doug Bodnar, Dan Chandler, Darian Cole, Alice Ivany,
Sandy Jungwirth, Marilyn Klahr, Elvy Mussaka, Melodie Silverwolf, Brenda Thomas, Jack Thomas, Roger Tower,
Jeana Warren.
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Agenda topics
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Review of march 25, 2008 meeting minutes
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acmm chair
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Action items
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Person responsible
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Outcome
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Motion by Ms. Burbank for meeting minutes to be
accepted with corrections, second by Mr. Funk: Page 1, Type of meeting should read “…public discussion of
administrative issues between OMMP management and the ACMM”, not “…public to
discuss administrative issues…” Page
2, Sandy Burbank should read Sandee Burbank. Under Subcommittee Reports, the
submitted rule change language needs to be added. Under Law Enforcement, it should read “Ms. Ray sent a letter…”
not “…the letter…”, Under Clinic Standards, Mr. Chandler had stated there was
a meeting set for May 1st.
Also, Dr. Cohn, Dr. Paysse and Ms. Silverwolf were added as new
members. Page 3, under Ed Glick’s
Letter, it should read “…everyone with concerns to submit a letter...” not
“…everyone to submit a letter…” Under
Dr. George’s Email, it should read “…concerns to the OMMP.” Not “…the OMMA.” It should also be added that Dr. George sent a letter to state
legislators. The top of page 4 should
read “…last term as chair.” Not
“…last term.” Motions should pass
10-0 not 10-1.
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Ms. Burbank
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Motion passes unanimously
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Program
update
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dhs administration
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Discussion
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·
Staff-All
vacant positions have been filled. 15
of the 17 employees are in permanent positions, and Ms. Nichols is in the
process of requesting 2 permanent positions to eliminate the temporary
positions.
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Statistics-
The number of OMMP patients as of 6/11/08 is 20,701. 10,156 of those patients have a caregiver,
and 2,949 doctors have recommended patients for the program.
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Budget Review-The
impact of food stamp revenue on the program is being monitored. No fee changes are recommended at this
time. There are larger than expected
changes in postage/printing and professional service expenditures due to
increased program demand.
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Conclusions
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The OMMP is fully
staffed at this time.
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The number of OMMP
patients has surpassed 20,000.
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There are no
recommendations for fee structure changes at this time.
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dialogue between acmm and administration
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ms. burbank
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Discussion
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Meeting minutes preparations-Ms. Burbank would like the OMMP to look into
outside services to transcribe the ACMM meeting minutes. Ms. Nichols states that the OMMP is trying
to get the minutes out as quickly as possible, and that although she does not
feel it would be efficient, the OMMP will look into the cost of using an
outside service.
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Forms-Ms.
Burbank would like to know if the grow card can have a visible serrated line
and also if somewhere on the card it could state that it needs to be
posted. Ms. Rusynyk says that there
is a letter sent with the cards explaining that already. Ms. Burbank says the letter is not clear
and is not understood by the patients.
Mr. Cossel says he will talk to the computer people about adding
serrated lines and will look into revising the language on the grow site
card.
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ACMM Letterhead-Ms. Burbank would like bigger print and ACMM header
centered. Dr. George says the address
and phone numbers could be put in a column.
Ms. Burbank thinks that’s a good idea as well. Mr. Dalotto would like higher resolution
on the logo. Ms. Rusynyk will submit
the letterhead for revisions.
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Physician’s 450 Patient Policy-Clinic inspections will be conducted by program
staff or the Healthcare License and Certification Program (HCLC). The OMMP will support the cost of the
inspections. Determinations will be
made on a case by case basis. For
example, if a physician has a private practice and works for a clinic part of
the time; the physician may be released from the requirements at the
physician’s private practice.
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PA’s and FNP’s were
not considered in the calculations, and cannot sign the attending physician
statements.
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The OMMP is developing
a process on conducting clinic visits, what criteria must be met in order to
pass. The OMMP welcomes input from
the ACMM.
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Letter to the Clinics-The OMMP has sent a letter to the clinics
addressing the following:
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The OMMP does not
process new applications that are faxed, because they are not accompanied by
a fee. Therefore, the OMMP has
requested that clinics do not fax new applications, but instead inform new
patients to submit the application with the fee via mail or in person at the
OMMP office.
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If a patient’s
application is expired or close to expiring, a renewal application may be
faxed. It is requested that the
patient submit the fee via mail or in person at the OMMP office with a note
explaining that the renewal application was previously faxed. It is also helpful if the patient’s name
and date of birth are included in the note.
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If a change form is
faxed from a clinic, it is requested that the original not be sent as
well. This will help to keep
application processing more efficient.
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Food, Pool and Lodging Advisory Committee-Mr. Michaels met with Mr. Keifer from the Food, Pool
and Lodging Advisory Committee, about wanting to have a place at public
events for patients with cards to medicate.
Mr. Keifer said that only 5-6 mass gathering event permits are given
each year, and that each of those are administered by county in any way they
see fit. Mr. Keifer had some
suggestions, but felt this was out of his realm. Ms. Martinez asks if Ms. O’Fallon would be able to attend the
next meeting. Motion is passed to
submit new language to Ms. O’Fallon changing “Shall” to “May” smoke in public place.
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Governor’s Council on Alcohol & Drugs-Ms. Nichols and Mr. Higginson attended the
Governor’s Council meeting.
Previously, the Council said that medical marijuana was not
scientifically proven. They are
currently working on a new report. Ms.
Nichols says they will go to the August meeting to present information about
the OMMP. Dr. Cohn suggests a patient
go to help relay the message.
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Administrative Rules Advisory Committee-The OMMP is forming an Administrative Rules
Advisory Committee (ARAC) to address specific issues brought forth by the
ACMM. Ms. Nichols or Mr. Higginson
will chair the committee and are considering inviting Ms. Suver, Lt.
Dingeman, Dr. Cohn, Mr. Micheals and Mr. Sajo to serve on the committee. Several ACMM members oppose Ms. Suver
serving on the ARAC. Ms. Burbank
nominates Mr. Michaels, Mr. Klahr and Dr. Cohn for the committee. Dr. Cohn would like to see more legal
folks on the committee, and wonders if there is a guideline for removing
members that stall progress. Mr.
Michaels wants to know why there even needs to be an ARAC.
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Law Enforcement Subcommittee-Ms. Burbank suggests inviting Lt. Dingeman to join
the subcommittee. Mr. Sajo agrees
that we should keep dialogue with law enforcement, but contends that they are
our leading opponent. Mr. Michaels
would like to be on the LE subcommittee if law enforcement is brought
in. Mr. Sajo would like a
questionnaire developed to get answers from state agencies such as the County
Sheriff. Ms. Burbank would also like
to see Judges and parole officers involved.
Ms. Martinez, Ms. Burbank, Mr. Sajo and Dr. George would like to be on
the committee as well.
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Conclusions
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Ms. Rusynyk will look
into costs associated with hiring an outside firm to transcribe the ACMM
meeting minutes.
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Mr. Cossel will look
into whether or not serrated lines can be added to the OMMP cardstock and new
language can be added to the grow site card.
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Ms. Rusynyk will
submit the ACMM letterhead for revisions.
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The OMMP is developing
a process on conducting clinic inspections and what criteria will need to be
met to pass. The OMMP welcomes input
from the ACMM.
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The clinics have been
sent a letter from the OMMP requesting them not to send duplicate
applications, or fax applications without payment, except under special
circumstances, to avoid slowing down application processing.
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There are questions
about having a place at public events for patients with cards to
medicate. It was requested that Ms.
O’Fallon come to the next ACMM meeting to address the issues. Motion is passed to submit new language to
Ms. O’Fallon changing
“Shall” to “May” smoke in public place.
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Ms. Nichols and Mr.
Higginson attended the Governor’s Council on Alcohol & Drugs
meeting. Previously, the Council had
said that medical marijuana was not scientifically proven. They are currently working on a new
report. Ms. Nichols says they will go
to the August meeting to present information about the OMMP.
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The OMMP is forming an
Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC) which Ms. Nichols or Mr.
Higginson will chair. The committee
members are still undecided but Ms. Burbank has nominated Mr. Michaels, Mr.
Klahr and Dr. Cohn.
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The ACMM would like to
restructure the LE subcommittee, and want to ask Lt. Dingeman to join.
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Action items
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Person responsible
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outcome
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Motion
to send new language to Ms. O’Fallon changing “Shall” to “May” smoke in
public place. Ms. Martinez seconds
the motion.
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Mr.
Klahr
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Passes
Unanimously
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Motion
to restructure the LE subcommittee and invite Lt. Dingeman to join. Ms. Martinez seconds the motion.
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Mr.
Funk
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Passes
Unanimously
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MEETING ADJOURNED
FOR LUNCH: 11:55AM
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MEETING CALLED TO
ORDER: 1:10PM
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Formation of horticulture
subcommittee/letter from the oregon department of agriculture
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Mr. Dalotto
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Discussion
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Currently Mr. Dalotto
is formalizing research at OSU, and believes others will benefit from a
better understanding of the plant.
For example, revisiting the mature plant definition. Plant limits are based on ideas that have
no practicality, like the 12” seedling definition. Most plants are over 12” before they flower. Mr. Funk suggests the subcommittee could
bring up scientific realities to the legislature, and that the subcommittee
could also serve as a cultivation service.
Ms. Burbank would like clarification on how this would work, and how
the subcommittee would approach the legislature. Mr. Dalotto would like to recruit members, and is in a position
to enlist students and professors to take a look at the mature plant
issue. Dr. George suggests creating a
growing handbook with the information gleaned. Ms. Burbank likes the idea, but does not think it is
feasible.
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Mr. Sajo thinks that
people should be aware of the consequences of spraying plants with bug
spray. Mr. Dalotto feels this could
service the mission of DHS. To help
with the health and safety of the people of Oregon. The ACMM received a letter from Mr. Wolf, a fertilizer
specialist with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, who has visited a
variety of outlets that supply fertilizers, including hydroponics shops. Mr. Sajo is concerned that patients and
growers are buying pesticides and plant nutrients that are not meant for
human consumption or inhalation, and those patients are already sick could be ingesting toxins whose effects on humans
have not yet been tested. He suggests
perhaps asking the Health Department to obtain samples from patients and have
them tested for toxic residues.
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Conclusions
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Mr. Dalotto is
formalizing research at OSU, and would like to begin recruiting members for
the research team.
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The ACMM received a
letter from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, which brings to light the
dangers of using untested pesticides and fertilizers on marijuana plants.
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Action items
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Person responsible
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Outcome
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Motion by Mr. Iverson to
form a horticulture subcommittee with Mr. Dalotto as chair. Second by Mr. Klahr.
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Mr. Iverson
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Passed Unanimously
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grower protection/notification
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Ms. Burbank
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Discussion
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·
Information has been brought to the ACMM about patients putting
growers on their renewal applications, without the growers’ knowledge, which
puts them in compromising and sometimes unlawful situations. Mr. Funk suggests that there be a line on
the OMMP application for the grower’s signature as well as the
patient’s. Ms. Rusynyk believes that
from an office standpoint, it would cause a slowdown in the processing of
applications. Dr. Cohn asks if the
OMMP could send a letter to the grower.
Mr. Cossel doesn’t think the OMMP would be able to get the cards out
in 30 days if such letters were sent.
Ms. Martinez adds that when the patient signs the application, they
are attesting to the fact that the information contained therein is accurate,
so it would be considered a crime to provide false information knowingly.
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Mr. Iverson asks if growers can inquire about their patients, if they
already have the patients’ information.
Ms. Rusynyk says currently, the OMMP only tells growers how many
people they are currently growing for, but does not divulge names. Mr. Cossel says he will need to check with
Mr. Higginson and Ms. O’Fallon to see if changing that policy is an option.
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Conclusions
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The ACMM is concerned with growers being put on patients’
applications unknowingly, and not being able to confirm their patients’ names
with the OMMP. The current OMMP
policy is to tell the grower how many patients they are currently growing
for, but there is no mention of patient names. Mr. Cossel will look into whether or not that policy can be
changed.
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envelopes cards are mailed out in
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Ms. Burbank
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Discussion
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Ms. Burbank readdresses a previous issue with the OMMP cards being
mailed in an envelope that is slightly larger than the paper the cards are
printed on. This allows the card page
to shift in the envelope just enough so that the words “Medical Marijuana”
might be visible. Ms. Rusynyk says
the OMMP now staples the envelopes to that the information inside does not
shift, resolving the issue.
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Public
Announcments and Comment
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Public-ACMM
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·
Lee Berger says that the police are
not our friends and that they put people in jail just for being
patients. He also says sheriffs in at
least three different counties have been revoking hand gun licenses those who
have cards.
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Robert Dickenson has heard that the
police in Bend don’t “believe” in medical marijuana, will take plants
belonging to cardholders, and even arrested a non-cardholder for helping
transport the medicine. He has been trying to help by contacting law
enforcement, but is not getting called back.
He feels it should be a high priority to get law enforcement involved.
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Elvy Mussaka thanks everyone for
their hard work. She wants us to know
there is an effort to discredit medical marijuana and that doctors get
nervous about signing patients up for the program because they are afraid of
federal retaliation.
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