The proposed bill, titled the "Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act," aims to amend Title 21 of the General Laws concerning food and drugs by introducing a new chapter that allows terminally ill patients to use medicinal cannabis within specified healthcare facilities. The bill outlines several requirements for healthcare facilities, including the prohibition of smoking or vaping medicinal cannabis, the necessity for patients to provide valid identification and documentation from a physician, and the implementation of safety measures for the storage and use of cannabis. Additionally, the bill clarifies that compliance with its provisions is not a condition for obtaining or renewing a healthcare facility's license.

Furthermore, the act stipulates that healthcare facilities may suspend compliance with the new regulations if a federal agency, such as the U.S. Department of Justice or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, takes enforcement action or issues prohibitive rules regarding the use of medical marijuana. The bill also emphasizes that it does not alter existing laws related to the cultivation, possession, distribution, or use of cannabis. The act is set to take effect upon passage.