Existing law sets forth various provisions governing the medical use of cannabis. (Chapter 678C of NRS) Existing law exempts a person who holds a valid registry identification card or letter of approval from state prosecution for certain offenses relating to cannabis. (NRS 678C.200, 678C.210) Section 2 of this bill requires a medical facility to allow a patient of the medical facility to engage in the medical use of cannabis at the medical facility if the patient: (1) holds a valid registry identification card or letter of approval; and (2) is terminally ill. Section 2 defines “medical facility” for the purposes of that requirement to include a: (1) facility for hospice care; (2) facility for intermediate care; (3) facility for skilled nursing; and (4) hospital. Section 2 imposes certain requirements on a medical facility relating to the medical use of cannabis by a patient at the medical facility and prohibits a medical facility from allowing a patient to engage in the medical use of cannabis at the medical facility by smoking cannabis or otherwise consuming cannabis by means of inhalation.
Section 3 of this bill exempts a medical facility from complying with the requirements of section 2 if a federal agency has taken certain actions against the medical facility for complying with such requirements, or adopted regulations prohibiting the medical use of cannabis in medical facilities. Section 3 provides that the exemption provided to a medical facility expires on the date on which the federal agency notifies the medical facility that the medical facility may allow patients to engage in the medical use of cannabis at the medical facility.