Committees favor letting—not forcing—health facilities allow medical cannabis for terminal and older patients

Lawmakers voted to advance a bill to improve access to medical cannabis for terminally ill patients and qualifying seniors in healthcare settings but changed the measure so facilities may — rather than must — permit on-site use.

Andrew Goff of the Office of Medical Cannabis Control said the agency supports the bill’s goal but urged that permissive language be used because cannabis remains a Schedule I substance under federal law and many health facilities receive federal funds. “Our recommendation at this time is to change it from a requirement to an authorization under state law so that facilities can under state law allow the use of medical cannabis for these conditions but are not required to violate federal law,” he said.

Deputy Attorney General Alana Bryant echoed the concern, noting uncertainty about the timing and legal effect of federal rescheduling actions. Patient advocates and industry groups pushed for faster access and suggested targeted exceptions — for example, instant access pathways for terminal patients — while hospital associations and skilled-nursing providers asked for permissive language, education partnerships with DOH, and clinical safeguards for medication management in inpatient settings.

Chair Greg Takayyama’s amendment changed the bill’s "shall" language to "may," exempted residential treatment centers, and added a defective date to allow further rule-making and agency outreach. The committee adopted the amended approach to balance patient access with legal and clinical risk management.