Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use of medicinal marijuana, effective June 30, 2016.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a medical practitioner to prescribe an “allowable amount of cannabis” to a “qualifying patient” for medical purposes, if he or she has a “bona fide relationship” with the patient and has “properly” evaluated the patient’s medical condition (Sec. 1).

• Defines “qualifying patient” as an individual who has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, including, but not limited to, cancer, a positive HIV status, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Sec. 1).

• Defines “allowable amount of cannabis” as two ounces of cannabis or the quantity of cannabis products authorized by Department of Health regulations (Sec. 1).

• Defines “bona fide relationship” as a relationship that meets the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The practitioner and patient have a treatment or consulting relationship during which the practitioner has completed an assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition, including an in-person physical examination;
• The practitioner has consulted with the patient regarding his or her debilitating medical condition; and
• The practitioner is available to or offers to provide follow-up care and treatment to the patient, including patient examinations.

• Requires a qualifying patient to obtain a registry identification card from the department in order to use cannabis for medical purposes (Sec. 1).

• Exempts a qualifying patient from arrest, prosecution, penalty, or denial of a right or privilege for certain actions, including, but not limited to, the medical use of the allowable amount of cannabis (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text