Delaware Legalizes Hospital Medical Marijuana Use For Terminally Ill Under New Law Signed By Gov. Meyer

Delaware’s Governor Matt Meyer signed a bill on Thursday allowing terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals, making it law.

Senate Bill 226, from state Senator Marie Pinkey, previously advanced through both chambers.

The policy change would become effective one year after enactment. It will apply to registered medical marijuana patients in healthcare facilities. However, hospitals must verify patients’ medical marijuana registry cards and document cannabis use in medical records.

Registered patients in Delaware can buy and possess up to 6 ounces of medical cannabis without facing state penalties under the law.

The measure obliges healthcare facilities to set up written policies and procedures governing cannabis use on-site, while patients and caregivers must obtain, administer, and securely store medical marijuana in locked containers. Only non-inhalable forms will be allowed under the new measure.

The bill allows healthcare providers to restrict or prohibit cannabis use if it interferes with treatment or is medically contraindicated, or if federal agencies issue restrictions or enforcement actions.

The latest policy change comes some three years after the then-Gov. John Carney (D) allowed companion legalization bills, HB 1 and HB 2, to become law without his signature.

Both bills advanced through the legislature by veto-proof supermajorities. Both were sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski.

The two measures allowed adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or products with 750 grams or less of delta-9 THC, while creating the regulatory framework for the state’s recreational cannabis industry.