This bill amends existing laws to permit qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Key changes include the expanded definition of "cultivation location," which now includes sites controlled by alternative treatment centers as well as those managed by qualifying patients and caregivers, provided they adhere to specific requirements. The bill introduces new definitions for "immature cannabis plant" and "mature cannabis plant," and enhances the role of designated caregivers, allowing them to cultivate cannabis for a single qualifying patient or assist multiple patients under certain conditions. Additionally, it outlines protections for patients and caregivers against arrest or penalties for cannabis possession or cultivation within specified limits, contingent upon reporting their cultivation locations to the department.

Furthermore, the bill modifies regulations regarding confidentiality and access to information related to qualifying patients and caregivers. It allows law enforcement to access information about cannabis possession or cultivation with a sworn affidavit affirming probable cause, while ensuring that such requests remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure. The bill also establishes new regulations for cultivation locations, requiring patients and caregivers to report these by December 1, 2025, and sets limits on cannabis obtained from alternative treatment centers. Notably, it removes previous restrictions on the number of seedlings an alternative treatment center can possess or cultivate. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 126-X:1, 126-X:2, 126-X:3, 126-X:4, 126-X:5, 126-X:8, 126-X:6
As Amended by the House: 126-X:1, 126-X:2, 126-X:3, 126-X:4, 126-X:5, 126-X:8, 126-X:6