On Wednesday, a Rhode Island House committee heard testimony about a proposed bill that would permit terminally-ill patients who use medical marijuana to do so in healthcare facilities.
If enacted, the four-page bill—H 5630, from Rep. Susan Donovan (D) and nine co-sponsors—would require that certain healthcare facilities allow the use of medical marijuana by people expected to live a year or less with their current condition. Vaping and smoking cannabis would be prohibited.
According to the legislative description, facilities would have to place additional restrictions on the way patients use and store medical marijuana, “to ensure that other patients, visitors, and staff of the facility are safe,”
In the bill’s summary, it is stated that its purpose is “to support a terminally-ill patient in their ability to use medical cannabis safely within certain healthcare facilities and comply with state law.”
At the hearing on Wednesday, members of the House Committee on Health and Human Services took no formal action on this measure. Instead they collected testimony and will study it further.
Donovan shared the story about a child named Ryan who was first diagnosed with cancer, and then treated initially with opioids, such as morphine, and fentanyl. This made him sleepy all the time.
Donovan stated, “He did not want to sleep for his final few weeks.” The hospital refused to allow medical cannabis. He was then moved to another hospital. [where] It was permitted, and the result was amazing. He was awake, alert, and free of pain. He could talk to his friends and family.”
She said that Ryan’s parents and other supporters of H 5630 support it because “they feel all terminally-ill patients should have an equal opportunity.”
Rep. Michelle McGraw asked, on behalf of one member in the panel (the D), whether medical marijuana could lead to healthcare providers losing their federal funding.
Donovan claimed that legislation of this nature has been adopted in other eight states. She promised to look into the reasons why.
Rep. Marie Hopkins asked, “Why does the bill define terminal illness in terms of a prognosis for one year or less?” She responded that “the standard medicine definition is six-months.”
Hopkins stated that the question wasn’t meant as “a criticism of this bill, since I really like it.”
Donovan stated that she will look into the matter and, if needed, amend the language of this measure.
ACLU of Rhode Island, a representative of the organization, said it supports the proposed legislation.
They said: “We think that this bill will provide terminally-ill patients with the relief and care they require, as well as easing their symptoms.”
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Ellen Lenox Smith is the co-director of the U.S. medical cannabis program. Pain Foundation, an organization that helps chronically ill people, was also present at the hearing.
Now that [recreational marijuana]In Rhode Island she stated, “we are unable to get anyone to listen to our patients.”
She informed lawmakers that legislation similar to hers had already been passed or proposed in over a dozen states. She said, “This bill has been passed all across the nation and I feel really happy that people have compassion about it.”
In order to be eligible for this protection, patients would have provide their identification and a copy either of their medical marijuana cards or written recommendations from a doctor.
Note that chemical dependency recovery centers would not be included in the definition of “healthcare facilities” under this bill.
Donovan noted also at the hearing on Wednesday that “the bill would need to be modified so that places such as the VA, the Veterans Home, and the Eleanor Slater Hospital of Rhode Island will be exempt because federal law classes cannabis as a Schedule I control substance.”
This bill also allows facilities to stop allowing medical marijuana use in the event that federal authorities take certain enforcement or regulatory actions.
In Rhode Island, meanwhile, the Cannabis Control Commission approved earlier this month the first set rules that established a framework to support the newly-legalized cannabis market in the state.
Among other things, the rules, which take effect May 1, create new packaging and labeling requirements, outline the business-licensing process and set social equity licensing criteria. State will eventually license two dozen marijuana retail outlets, six of which are for social equity applicants.
In February, state lawmakers held an hearing to discuss a newly introduced bill that would exempt psilocybin under the laws of controlled substances in order to legalize its possession and cultivation at home for personal purposes.
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound found in many mushrooms. Non-toxic and non-addictive. In his opening remarks, Brandon Potter (D), the sponsor of the bill, said that it was a “natural compound”. “There’s an abundance of especially medical research that shows incredible effects for treating people with complicated PTSD, depression, severe anxiety, addiction—just an absolute abundance of medical research from leading medical research institutions.”
In terms of other developments on drug policy in the state late last year, the organizers unveiled the United States’ first official state-sanctioned site to consume illegal drugs. The facility—located in Providence—stems from a 2021 bill creating a pilot program for overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the state.
Academics and harm-reduction advocates have praised overdose prevention centres as an effective way to prevent drug-related death and provide people with access to social services. This includes treatment for substance use disorders.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Providence mayor Brett Smiley (D), said that people with substance use disorders will be using. What’s unique here is the fact that people with substance abuse disorders will use, said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley (D) at the facility’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Brown University researchers will follow the development.
Brandon D.L., professor of epidemiology at Brown University, said: “The aim is to determine how OPCs function in the United States.” Marshall said in a university post about the project. What makes these programs so helpful to people if they work? What are the ways they link people with addiction treatment and support? How can these people be best integrated in a society that has been severely affected by the overdose crisis across the country? These are some things that we would like to explore.”
Alcohol Industry Lobbies Congress for Regulation of Hemp-derived Cannabinoid products
Side Pocket Images. Image courtesy Chris Wallis.
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