Family, nurses urge Kentucky committee to consider 'Ryan's Law' to allow medical cannabis in hospitals

Family members of a terminally ill patient and nurse advocates asked the interim joint committee on health services to consider legislation similar to "Ryan's Law," which requires hospitals to allow medical cannabis for qualifying terminal patients.

Jim Bartel, whose son Ryan died of pancreatic cancer, recounted that after the hospital that initially refused cannabis care denied access, a hospital that allowed medical cannabis administered a tincture that produced rapid symptom relief. Bartel said of the transfer and dose, "He gave his first dose, and he woke up the next morning wide awake, pain free." He urged the committee to permit hospitals to allow medical cannabis so patients at the end of life can spend time awake with loved ones.

Heather Mannison, a registered nurse with the Cannabis Nurses Network, emphasized nurses’ role in implementation and patient‑centered care: "No patient facing the end of life should be forced to choose between receiving health care and accessing a legal therapy that helps relieve their suffering," she said.

Presenters noted they had received a letter from CMS indicating no blanket federal prohibition on hospitals allowing medical cannabis and said an executive‑branch reclassification of cannabis (from schedule 1 to schedule 3) reduced regulatory barriers. Committee members said they would review the existing Kentucky medical marijuana law and potential barriers in hospital policy.

Provenance: Presentation and questions on Ryan's Law and hospital policies.