HB 1554 Allows persons with certain serious medical conditions to use medical cannabis

Current Bill Summary

- Prepared by Senate Research -


HCS/HB 1554 - This act adds medical cannabis from a licensed dispensing organization to the list of investigational drugs for which eligible patients with a terminal illness may access. No state agency or regulatory board shall revoke, fail to renew, or take any other actions against a dispensing organization's license based solely on the organization's sale of medical cannabis to an eligible patient. Any official, employee, or agent of the state who blocks or attempts to block access to an eligible patient to an investigational drug, biological product, or device shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Senior Services shall issue a medical cannabis registration card to certain individuals or parents of such individuals who suffer from a terminal illness or debilitating medical condition who may benefit from treatment with medical cannabis at the same dosage and with the same method of smokeless administration used in clinical trials and who have considered all other treatment options currently approved by the FDA. A physician shall sign a sworn statement attesting the patient's medical condition. The Department shall regulate the distribution of medical cannabis from a cannabis care center, licensed by the Department of Agriculture as specified in the act, to a registrant.

This act specifies the labeling requirements for medical cannabis and that individuals who possess medical cannabis under this act shall not be subject to penalties for possession or use of medical cannabis.

Finally, this act specifies the process for the Department of Agriculture to license cannabis cultivation and production facility licenses and requires the Department to designate testing facilities to maintain standard operating procedures, quality control, and quality assurance programs. The Department or an independent third party authorized by the Department may conduct an inspection of the practices, procedures, and programs adopted, followed, and maintained under this provision and inspect all records of the independent testing facility that are related to the inspection. Any manufacturing, storage, or testing of medical cannabis or any derivative product shall meet the requirements of the Department of Health and Senior Services and all local health departments.

Any person who commits unlawful acts under this act with the intent to distribute medical cannabis to minors shall be guilty of a Class D felony.

SARAH HASKINS


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