NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8469
SPONSOR: Paulin TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing
certain patients to use medical cannabis at certain health care facili-
ties
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill ensures that terminally ill patients in hospitals and nursing
homes can access and utilize medical cannabis, in accordance with state
law. It establishes a framework for the appropriate and regulated use of
medical cannabis in healthcare facilities.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends article 28 of the public health law by adding a new
section 2832 to allow for medical cannabis access in health care facili-
ties for terminally ill patients with a valid medical cannabis certif-
ication.
Section two provides for the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Medical cannabis has shown to provide significant relief for patients
who are suffering from chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, and other symptoms
commonly considered a consequence of terminal illness. Additionally,
medical cannabis aids in reducing reliance on opioids, increases appe-
tite and relaxation, and, ultimately, can enhance quality of life under
palliative care 1. Despite research and studies on these benefits,
several terminally ill patients. in healthcare settings all across New
York State are currently unable to access or utilize medical cannabis.
This bill closes the gap by allowing for safe, regulated use of medical
cannabis in hospitals and nursing homes. This bill, modeled after
"Ryan's Law" implemented in California, strives towards striking a
balance between compassionate care and responsible administration,
ensuring compliance with other state legislation and respect for
patients who are suffering and willing to utilize medical cannabis to
ease their pain.
Simply, this bill ensures that people who are terminally ill can utilize
medicine which is legal in New York State, and which might alleviate
their pain and suffering.
1. Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids - The Health Effects
of Cannabis and Cannabinoids - NCBI Bookshelf
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None anticipated.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8469
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 16, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing
certain patients to use medical cannabis at certain health care facil-
ities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
2 2832 to read as follows:
3 § 2832. Medical cannabis access in health care facilities. 1. For the
4 purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
5 meanings:
6 (a) "Health care facility" shall mean a hospital or nursing home as
7 such terms are defined by section twenty-eight hundred one of this arti-
8 cle.
9 (b) "Medical cannabis" shall have the same meaning as defined by
10 subdivision thirty-three of section three of the cannabis law.
11 (c) "Patient" shall mean an individual who is terminally ill.
12 (d) "Terminally ill" shall have the same meaning as defined by subdi-
13 vision fifty-one of section three of the cannabis law.
14 2. A health care facility shall permit patient use of medical cannabis
15 while at such health care facility and shall:
16 (a) prohibit smoking or vaping as methods to use such medical canna-
17 bis;
18 (b) include the use of medical cannabis in such patient's medical
19 records;
20 (c) require such patient to provide a copy of such patient's valid
21 registry identification card pursuant to article three of the cannabis
22 law;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11830-01-5
A. 8469 2
1 (d) reasonably regulate the way in which such patient stores and uses
2 medical cannabis, including requiring the medical cannabis be stored in
3 a locked container; and
4 (e) develop and disseminate written guidelines for the use of medical
5 cannabis within such health care facility pursuant to article three of
6 the cannabis law.
7 3. This section shall not be construed to reduce, expand, or otherwise
8 modify laws restricting cultivation, possession, distribution, or utili-
9 zation of cannabis which may be otherwise applicable.
10 4. This section shall not require a health care facility to provide a
11 patient with a recommendation to use medical cannabis in accordance with
12 section thirty-one of the cannabis law.
13 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
