The proposed guidelines stipulate that licensed 'compassion centers' "may acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana, or related supplies and educational materials, to registered qualifying patients and their registered primary caregivers." According to the guidelines, all centers must operate on a "not-for-profit" basis, must possess a "fully operational security alarm system," and may not be located within 500 feet of a school.

This past June, Rhode Island lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation mandating the state to license non-profit facilities to dispense marijuana to authorized patients. Approximately 700 patients are registered with the Department of Health to use cannabis in accordance with state law.

New Mexico state health officials enacted similar regulations in January governing the state-licensed distribution of medicinal marijuana.