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).