(Washington, D.C.) –Today officials from the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) launched the District’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Intergovernmental subcommittee. The committee will examine best practices in other states, monitor the effectiveness of the District’s medical marijuana program and make recommendations to the DOH Director and the Mayor.

The committee will issue recommendations regarding quantities of cannabis (not to exceed four ounces per month) that are necessary to constitute an adequate supply for qualified patients and whether the District should allow qualifying patients and caregivers to cultivate medical marijuana. Final recommendations from the committee will be made to the DOH Director and Mayor.

"The development of the new medical marijuana advisory board further supports the Mayor’s commitment to provide unique solutions to patients who are suffering from challenging health conditions,"  said Dr. Joxel Garcia, Director of the DC Department of Health. "I am pleased with the progress the program has made thus far, but I recognize the need to have an unbiased medical and scientific perspective so that the District can responsibly consider exploring expanding the medical conditions for physician medical marijuana recommendations."

District should allow qualifying patients and caregivers to cultivate medical marijuana. Final recommendations from the committee will be made to the DOH Director and Mayor.

"The development of the new medical marijuana advisory board further supports the Mayor’s commitment to provide unique solutions to patients who are suffering from challenging health conditions," said Dr. Joxel Garcia, Director of the DC Department of Health. "I am pleased with the progress the program has made thus far, but I recognize the need to have an unbiased medical and scientific perspective so that the District can responsibly consider exploring expanding the medical conditions for physician medical marijuana recommendations."

Members of the intergovernmental committee include:

Rikin Mehta, PharmD, JD

Department of Health Designee Chair

Matt Orlins

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

Melanie Bell

Office of the City Administrator

Kelly O’Meara

Metropolitan Police Department

The medical marijuana scientific subcommittee will accept and review petitions for the approval of addiadditional qualifying medical conditions, and monitor scientific research to make recommendations to the DOH Director and Mayor. The scientific subcommittee is scheduled to meet February 14, 2014.