A key Senate committee in Delaware has passed legislation that would enhance patient access to medical marijuana, including allowing physicians to recommend the medicine for any condition they deem appropriate.
House Bill 285 was given approval recently by the Senate Health & Social Services Committee, roughly two months after it was given approval by the full House of Representatives.
The proposed law would remove the state’s list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions, instead allowing physicians to recommend the medicine for any condition they deem appropriate. The measure would also allow those who are 65 years old and older to self-certify themselves as medical marijuana patients, meaning they would not need a signature or recommendation from a healthcare professional.
The legislation would also allow physicians to issue two or three year medical marijuana cards. Currently only one year cards are allowed.
“Following our successful passage of the Delaware Marijuana Control Act last year, establishing a framework for the legalization and regulation of recreational marijuana use in our state, we have actively engaged with and taken feedback from medical marijuana patients. Drawing from their insights, we identified numerous ways to improve our medical marijuana program,” says Representative Ed Osienski, the bill’s prime sponsor. “HB 285 recognizes the need to remove outdated restrictions and breaks down the barriers that hinder patients who could truly benefit from improved access to medical marijuana.”
If HB 285 is approved through the full Senate, it will be sent to Governor John Carney for consideration.
