Public input on medical marijuana

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts public health officials are set to begin a series of "listening sessions" to get input from the public as they develop regulations for medical marijuana.

The first session will be held Wednesday in Worcester, followed by another session Thursday in Boston and a third session Feb. 27 in Holyoke.

Massachusetts voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana through a ballot question in November. Civil and criminal penalties were eliminated for the use of marijuana by people with cancer, Parkinson's Disease, AIDS and other serious conditions.

The state Department of Public Health is seeking input on various issues, including security requirements for marijuana dispensaries and requirements for people who seek to grow their own marijuana because of financial hardship or difficulties getting to a dispensary.