The Pennsylvania Senate has scheduled consideration of legislation that would require hospitals, hospices and other health care facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana under specified conditions.
Senate Bill 1035, known as Ryan’s Law, appears on the Senate’s official calendar for Monday, October 19, when lawmakers are scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. The measure is listed for second consideration, a step that could move it closer to a final Senate vote.
Introduced by Senator John Kane (D) and supported by lawmakers from both parties, the legislation would amend Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act to establish new protections for patients with terminal conditions.
Under the proposal, qualifying patients would be those diagnosed with a medical condition carrying a life expectancy of one year or less if the disease follows its natural course. Covered facilities would be required to accommodate medical marijuana use, although smoking and vaping would remain prohibited.
The legislation would also require facilities to document medical marijuana use in patients’ medical records, verify their eligibility and establish written guidelines governing its use. Facilities could impose reasonable restrictions on storage and administration, including requiring marijuana products to be kept in locked containers.
The requirements would not apply to patients receiving emergency services or care. Health care facilities would also not be obligated to recommend medical marijuana or include it in discharge plans.
The bill includes provisions addressing potential conflicts with federal law. Facilities could suspend compliance if federal regulators, the Department of Justice or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services took enforcement action or expressly prohibited medical marijuana use. However, marijuana’s federal controlled substance classification alone would not justify refusing patients access.
The Senate Law and Justice Committee advanced the legislation on September 29 in a unanimous 11-0 vote.
Following the committee’s approval, Kane said the legislation would help terminally ill patients manage symptoms while remaining connected with their families during end-of-life care.
Ryan’s Law is modeled on similar legislation enacted in California and Maryland, where qualifying patients are allowed to use medical marijuana in certain health care settings.
The proposal must still receive approval from the full Pennsylvania Senate and House before it can be sent to Governor Josh Shapiro. If enacted, the law would take effect 60 days after being signed.
