Press ESC to close

    PA Bill to Allow Medical Cannabis for Terminal Patients

    HARRISBURG, Pa. — Compassion and care are at the heart of a new proposal in the Pennsylvania Senate aimed at helping terminal patients. The recently introduced Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act — also known as Ryan’s Law — would allow terminal patients receiving treatment in hospitals to continue using prescribed medical cannabis, offering comfort and dignity during some of life’s most difficult moments.

    The bill, sponsored by Senator John Kane, is named in honor of a California man who used medical cannabis during the final weeks of his battle with pancreatic cancer. Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis nearly a decade ago, but current laws restrict patients from using it in hospital settings. For terminal patients, that means losing access to a medication that may ease pain, nausea, and anxiety during critical care.

    Under the proposed legislation, hospitals would be permitted to allow the supervised use of medical cannabis by eligible terminal patients. Advocates say this change is long overdue and rooted in compassion. Meredith Buettner Schneider, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, said the measure ensures patients are not forced to choose between receiving medical treatment and using a therapy that improves their quality of life.

    “I think this bill ensures that patients have access to medical cannabis that helps treat their serious medical conditions in a hospital setting,” Buettner Schneider said.

    She noted that some hospitals in Pennsylvania already allow the use of medical cannabis under internal policies, but the new law would provide consistency and protection for both patients and providers. “There are several hospitals in the Commonwealth that already allow medical cannabis use, so I think our hospital systems are looking to create an environment that lets their terminal patients use the medicine they need,” she added.

     

    “There’s still a lot of stigma around cannabis,” Buettner Schneider explained. “Cannabis as medicine is not for everybody. But for some terminal patients, it’s been life-changing  even life-saving.”

    Supporters believe that as Pennsylvania continues its healthcare reform discussions, compassion must remain a guiding principle. For terminal patients, expanding access to medical cannabis could mean less suffering, more peace, and more meaningful time with loved ones.

    If passed, Ryan’s Law would make Pennsylvania one of the few states ensuring that terminal patients can continue their prescribed medical cannabis treatments  not just at home, but in hospitals where comfort and care matter most.

     

    by Fox 43

    Buzz

    Buzz

    At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between.