The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) today announces that 3 of the 18 applicants have been approved to apply for registration certificates to run a compassion center. The three applicant(s) selected are Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, Inc.; Summit Medical Compassion Center; and The Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center.
“After a thorough and thoughtful review of all applications, HEALTH determined that these three applicant(s) were best able to offer safe, conveniently located options for patients currently enrolled in the medical marijuana program,” said Interim Director of Health Michael Fine. “ HEALTH is charged with protecting the health and safety of all Rhode Islanders. We will continue to work with the compassion centers and providers to assure good outcomes for patients.”
Before opening for business, a compassion center must be inspected by HEALTH staff and receive a certificate of occupancy from the respective municipality where it is located. In addition, all staff, board members and volunteers of each compassion center must be registered with HEALTH’s medical marijuana program. For the complete rules and regulations pertaining to compassion centers, visit http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DOH/5923.pdf
In order to purchase medical marijuana from a compassion center, a patient must designate a compassion center as a caregiver. (A patient can designate up to two caregivers.) To add or change a caregiver designation, use the Patient Information Change form at http://www.health.ri.gov/forms/request/MedicalMarijuanaPatientInformationChange.pdf