Committee approves bill allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health-care settings

The House Health Committee passed House Bill 2254 as amended, a measure intended to let terminally ill medical‑marijuana patients use their own approved products while receiving care in health‑care settings outside the home. The committee adopted amendment A02889 and approved the bill by a 23–3 roll call.

Erica (staff) summarized the bill: "House bill 22 54 allows terminally ill medical marijuana patients in health care settings outside the home to use their own medical marijuana products, but does not require any health care facility or practitioner to administer the medication." The sponsor and members framed the bill as compassionate access for patients nearing end of life.

The sponsor described the case of Ryan, a young man with pancreatic cancer whose pain was initially managed with heavy opioids; after transitioning to medical marijuana he was reportedly more awake and able to spend time with family in his final weeks. The chair and members said the bill would allow similar choices for other terminally ill patients.

Committee members adopted amendment A02889, which the chair said (1) makes explicit liability protections for facilities that must allow use, (2) clarifies that the requirement takes effect only after guidelines are in place, and (3) exempts psychiatric facilities and settings where cannabis use disorder is a concern. Representative Borowski and Chair Rapp said they supported the measure with those guardrails.

The committee approved the bill as amended on a 23–3 vote and will send it to the full House for further consideration.