Delaware senators have approved a House-passed bill to significantly expand the state’s medical marijuana program ahead of the launch of adult-use sales next year.
Nearly two months after the legislation from Rep. Ed Osienski (D) cleared the House, the Senate Health & Social Services Committee advanced the measure on Wednesday.
The bill would make a series of changes to Delaware’s medical cannabis program, including removing limitations for patient eligibility based on a specific set of qualifying health conditions. Instead, doctors could issue marijuana recommendations for any condition they see fit.
The legislation would also allow patients over the age of 65 to self-certify for medical cannabis access without the need for a doctor’s recommendation.
Sen. Sarah McBride (D), who chairs the panel, said the legislation is needed to ensure the continued existence of a patient-focused medical cannabis market as recreational legalization rolls out in the state.
“The current constraints in law would essentially result in the medical cannabis industry dying out unless we made reforms like the ones in this bill that would essentially increase the pool of patients who might be able to access the medical cannabis industry,” she said.
Paul Hyland, the state’s deputy marijuana commissioner, agreed.
“As
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
