Delaware’s House of Representatives passed a bill to expand medical cannabis access, allowing self-certification for those 65 or older and removing condition-based eligibility. The bill now moves to the state Senate.
Delaware House Votes for Medical Cannabis Program Expansions
The Delaware State Capitol Building in Dover, Delaware.
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Lawmakers in the Delaware House of Representatives voted this week in favor of a proposal that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program by letting patients aged 65 or older self-certify for the program, Marijuana Moment reports. The self-certification process would not require a doctor’s input.
The bill would also remove the program’s medical condition-based eligibility requirements in favor of allowing doctors to certify for medical cannabis access anyone that they believe would benefit from the program.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ed Osienski (D), said that the bill was crafted according to feedback from the state’s cannabis patients.
“Drawing from their insights, we identified numerous ways to improve our medical marijuana program. HB 285 recognizes the need to remove outdated restrictions and breaks down the barriers that hinder patients who could truly benefit from improved access to medical marijuana.” — Rep. Osienski, via Marijuana Moment
The bill passed the House in a 22-10 vote on Thursday and moves next to the state Senate for consideration, where a companion version of the bill has been sponsored by Sen. Kyra Hoffner (D).
“…It is time to update our medical marijuana law and make it easier for the people who rely on these products to get the therapy that they need,” Hoffner said in the report.
Adult-use cannabis was legalized last year in Delaware but state-licensed stores are not expected until 2025. Lawmakers voted last year to set an initial $4.1 million budget for rolling out the state’s adult-use cannabis industry.
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