The proposed bill introduces the "Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act," which creates a new chapter in Title 21 of the General Laws concerning food and drugs. This act allows terminally ill patients to use medicinal cannabis within specified healthcare facilities, subject to certain conditions. These conditions include prohibiting smoking or vaping as methods of use, requiring patients to provide valid identification and a copy of their medical marijuana card or written documentation from a physician recommending the use of medicinal cannabis, and implementing reasonable restrictions on how patients store and use cannabis to ensure the safety of other patients, guests, and employees.

Healthcare facilities are not required to provide recommendations for medicinal cannabis or to include it in a patient's discharge plan. Compliance with this act does not affect the ability of healthcare facilities to obtain, retain, or renew their licenses. The act also mandates that healthcare facilities comply with drug and medication requirements applicable to Schedule II, III, and IV drugs, despite cannabis being classified as a Schedule I drug.

Additionally, the act allows healthcare facilities to suspend compliance with its provisions if a federal regulatory agency, such as the United States Department of Justice or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, takes specific enforcement actions against them. The act clarifies that it does not modify existing laws regarding the cultivation, possession, distribution, or use of cannabis. The provisions of this act will take effect upon passage.