Oregon lawmakers have sent the governor a bill to allow patients with debilitating medical conditions to access medical marijuana in certain health facilities such as hospices.
The legislation from Rep. Farrah Chaichi (D) cleared the Senate in a 20-8 vote on Thursday after previously being passed by the House of Representatives in a 39-3 vote earlier last month. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Tina Kotek (D).
Chaichi said in testimony to the Senate Health Care Committee last week that the bill is “an important tool to facilitate cannabis use as an alternative or addition to opioid use in end of life care.”
“While sometimes necessary, opiates are often overly sedative, preventing quality family interaction in someone’s final days,” she said. “As someone who lost my mother while she was intubated, I know how meaningful it is for patients to be present and in the moments of their last days and weeks with their loved ones. This is a quality of life and a quality of care issue. The bill’s goal is to ensure patients who desire this important and valid medical treatment have access across the board.”
HB 4142 would require hospice, palliative and home care organizations, as well
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
