This bill amends existing laws to permit qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Key changes include the revised definition of "cultivation location," which now includes sites controlled by alternative treatment centers as well as qualifying patients and caregivers, provided they adhere to specific requirements. The definition of "designated caregiver" is expanded to allow individuals to cultivate cannabis for a single qualifying patient, in addition to assisting multiple patients under certain conditions. New definitions for "immature" and "mature cannabis plants" are introduced, and the bill outlines legal protections regarding cultivation and possession limits for patients and caregivers. It also establishes requirements for cultivation locations, such as being locked and enclosed, and mandates reporting to the department.

Additionally, the bill enhances law enforcement access to information about qualifying patients and designated caregivers, allowing disclosure of cannabis possession or cultivation at specific addresses if law enforcement provides a sworn affidavit indicating probable cause. Requests for this information will remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure, although aggregate data may be released. The bill sets a deadline of December 1, 2025, for patients and caregivers to report their cultivation locations and introduces an affirmative defense for registered individuals charged with cannabis-related offenses. It also clarifies penalties for violations and removes previous restrictions on the number of seedlings that alternative treatment centers can possess or cultivate, with a new effective date of July 1, 2025, for these changes.

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