1. Fund established. The Medical Use of Cannabis Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as an Other Special Revenue Funds account in the department for the purposes specified in this section. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. E, §10 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] 2. Sources of fund. The State Controller shall credit to the fund: A. All money received as a result of applications and reapplications for registration as a qualifying patient, caregiver, dispensary, manufacturing facility and cannabis testing facility; [PL 2017, c. 452, §19 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. All money received as a result of applications and reapplications for registry identification cards for registered patients, caregivers, dispensaries and officers or directors or assistants of registered caregivers, dispensaries, manufacturing facilities and cannabis testing facilities; [PL 2017, c. 452, §20 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] C. All penalties and fines assessed for violations of this chapter; [PL 2009, c. 631, §45 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 631, §51 (AFF).] D. All money from any other source, whether public or private, designated for deposit into or credited to the fund; [PL 2019, c. 312, §2 (AMD).] E. Interest earned or other investment income on balances in the fund; and [PL 2019, c. 312, §2 (AMD).] F. All money received as a result of a reorganization of a registered dispensary operating as a nonprofit entity to a for-profit entity pursuant to section 2428, subsection 13, paragraph D. [PL 2019, c. 312, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 312, §§2, 3 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] 3. Uses of the fund. [PL 2025, c. 368, §2 (RP).] 3-A. Uses of fund. As allocated by the Legislature, the fund may be used for: A. Expenses of the department to administer this chapter; [PL 2025, c. 368, §3 (NEW).] B. Grants for research regarding cannabis for medical use in accordance with subsection 5; [PL 2025, c. 368, §3 (NEW).] C. Grants to organizations in the State conducting outreach and providing support services to active duty military members and their families who are transitioning to civilian life. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on or before September 30, 2025, and by every September 30th thereafter, the State Controller shall transfer $200,000 from the fund to the Active Duty Military Transition to Civilian Life Fund established within the Department of Economic and Community Development under Title 5, section 13056-K to administer grants issued pursuant to this paragraph; and [PL 2025, c. 368, §3 (NEW).] D. Grants to organizations in the State providing housing and support services for unhoused veterans and their children and for survivors of military sexual trauma. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on or before September 30, 2025, and by every September 30th thereafter, the State Controller shall transfer $285,000 from the fund to the Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma Fund under section 3971 to administer grants issued pursuant to this paragraph. [PL 2025, c. 368, §3 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 368, §3 (NEW).] 4. Review of fund balance. Beginning January 2018 and every 2 years thereafter, the department shall review the balance in the fund. If the balance in the fund exceeds $400,000, the department shall reduce the fees established under section 2425-A, subsection 10 for a 2-year period beginning with the calendar year following the review. [PL 2017, c. 452, §22 (NEW).] 5. Medical cannabis research grant program established. The medical cannabis research grant program, referred to in this subsection as "the program," is established within the department to provide grant money to support objective scientific research, including observational and clinical trials and existing research, on the efficacy of harvested cannabis as part of medical treatment and the health effects of harvested cannabis used as part of medical treatment. The program must be funded from the fund. The department shall adopt rules necessary to implement the program, including, but not limited to, required qualifications of persons conducting the research; determining the scientific merit and objectivity of a research proposal; criteria for determining the amount of program funds distributed; criteria for determining the duration of the research; procedures for soliciting research participants, including outreach to patients, and for obtaining the informed consent of participants; and reporting requirements for the results of the research and evaluation of the research results. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, except that, beginning July 1, 2021, rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2021, c. 387, §11 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]
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