MEASURE ENSURING NURSING HOME PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA BECOMES LAW

Senator Lachowicz’s measure allows non-smoked forms of medical marijuana in hospice and nursing homes   

AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Democratic Senator Colleen Lachowicz of Waterville to allow authorized patients in hospice and nursing homes to use non-smoked forms of medical marijuana became law without the signature of Governor LePage.

“This law ensures that Maine people whose physicians have recommended marijuana for medical use, can safely access that medicine when they need it most,” said Senator Lachowicz, a licensed social worker. “There are currently cancer patients and others who need to go into a nursing facility, but are avoiding it due to fear that they’ll lose access to the medicine that helps them most.”

In December 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services implemented major rule changes to Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP). The new rules required a hospice or nursing facility to register with the State as a Caregiver providing medical marijuana if any patient in the facility wishes to use medical marijuana. These regulations discourage facilities from allowing medical marijuana for patients in need, due to administrative costs to maintain a special set of records and meet extra staffing requirements.

Under the law sponsored by Senator Lachowicz a hospice provider or nursing facility is no longer required to be named as a primary caregiver by the patient in order for the patient to safely and easily use their physician recommended marijuana.

The bill, LD 1779, “An Act Relating to Nursing Facility and Inpatient Hospice Patients and Medical Marijuana Use,” will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

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