Friend,

TELL GOV. NEWSOM: ALLOW HOSPICE PATIENTS TO USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SB 311, “Ryan’s Law” would provide compassionate access to medical cannabis for those most in need during end-of-life care. “Ryan’s Law,” would require that hospitals and certain types of healthcare facilities in the State of California allow a terminally-ill patient to use medical cannabis for treatment and/or pain relief. Due to the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act, which requires any institution receiving federal funds or grants to prohibit the use or distribution of “controlled substances” in the workplace, hospitals across the country have adopted policies prohibiting cannabis on their grounds. This means that, despite the state’s approval of medical cannabis use for adults and children, and legalized recreational use for adults, California patients are currently unable to continue taking medical cannabis as part of their treatment plan while in the hospital – even if they possess a valid physicians’ recommendation. Ryan’s Law seeks to close that gap by allowing those who most need compassion at the end of life to have access to medical cannabis in an in-patient setting. The bill would authorize a healthcare facility to reasonably restrict the manner in which a patient stores and uses medical cannabis to ensure the safety of other patients, guests, and employees of the healthcare facility. It does not apply to patients receiving emergency care, and smoking and vaping cannabis is expressly prohibited. Ryan’s Law also provides a safe harbor clause allowing healthcare facilities to suspend the program if there is federal intervention. This bill passed in the California legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. Newsom.

PLEASE WRITE TO GOV. NEWSOM AND ASK HIM TO SIGN RYAN'S LAW IN 2021.

Can you join me and write a letter? Click here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-gov-newsom-allow-hospice-patients-to-use-medical-marijuana?source=email&

Thanks!