Committee rejects bill that would have required hospitals to allow medical-cannabis gummies for terminally ill patients

Representative Felcher, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure would guarantee access for registered terminally ill patients to use medical-cannabis gummies while hospitalized. "With the THC, Ryan became lucid and was able to communicate," Felcher said, describing the experience of Jim Bartel’s son and explaining why he drafted the bill to ensure terminal patients are not denied that option.

Opponents raised clinical and legal concerns. Senator Hill said mixing cannabinoids with common medications could create serious interactions, listing blood thinners, sedatives, antidepressants and immunosuppressants as examples and arguing the treating physician could lose authority over in-hospital treatment. Senator England urged changing the statutory language from "shall" to "may" to preserve hospital discretion; Felcher opposed weakening the bill, saying the purpose is to guarantee access for those with 12 months or fewer to live.

The committee considered several amendments, including a proposal by Senator McMahon to limit the requirement to hospitals "with a hospice unit," which the panel rejected. A later technical fix to correct a subsection reference passed. When the committee voted on "title sufficient to pass as amended," the secretary reported 8 yes and 9 no votes and the motion failed. Senator Wiggins moved to enter a motion to reconsider; the chair said the motion would be available for the committee to act on Tuesday.