If passed, this bill would:

• Allow people with non qualifying conditions to use medical cannabis.  

  • Nonqualifying condition:  a disability not  listed under the Medical Cannabis Program

  • Cannabis: a plant that has an ingredient called ‘cannabinoids’ that can be used to make certain medical conditions better, like anxiety or issues in the brain.

• Create a process for disabled people to get approved to try cannabis.

• The process:

  • Go to a doctor who is able to give a patient a prescription for medical cannabis

    • Prescription: a note from your doctor about what medicine you need. 

  • The doctor tells the patient that they might be able to treat the disability with cannabis.

  • The doctor requests that the Department of Health allow the patient to use medical cannabis. 

  • The State Health Officer has 45 days to decide if the patient can join the Medical Cannabis program. 

  • Patients have to reapply for the program every 12 months. 

  • People under 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian.

    • Guardian: Someone who makes decisions for someone else. 

Position Statement:

New Disabled South supports expanding access to the Medical Cannabis Program to include people who currently have nonqualifying conditions.