Bill > S79

This bill updates the definitions of "debilitating medical condition" and "qualifying patient" in Massachusetts medical marijuana law. For debilitating medical conditions, the bill expands the existing list of qualifying conditions to include cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and opioid use disorder, while also allowing healthcare professionals to determine additional qualifying conditions in writing. The bill also modifies the definition of a qualifying patient to include not only individuals diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition by a registered healthcare professional, but also veterans receiving healthcare at a federal Veterans Administration facility who can provide documentation of a debilitating medical condition. These changes effectively broaden the eligibility criteria for medical marijuana use in the state, providing more flexibility for patients and healthcare providers in determining appropriate medical cannabis treatment.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S79