A Washington State Senate committee has approved a House-passed bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Kloba (D), cleared the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Monday after having previously been passed by the full House of Representatives in a vote of 89-6 last month and later advanced by the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
If enacted in to law, it would mandate that hospitals and other specified healthcare facilities allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana on the premises beginning on January 1, 2027, subject to certain rules and restrictions.
“The medical use of cannabis may support improved quality of life for a qualifying patient…with a terminal condition,” the bill’s text says. “It is the intent of the legislature to promote dignity and comfort for terminally ill patients while maintaining the integrity and safety of health care environments.”
Under HB 2152, patients and their caregivers would be responsible for acquiring and administering medical marijuana, and it would need to be stored securely at all times in a locked container.
Smoking or vaping of cannabis would be prohibited, so
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