Senate Bill 534 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for medical cannabis in Wisconsin, allowing registered patients and their designated caregivers to possess and use medical cannabis products, which can include oils, tinctures, and edibles, but explicitly excludes products that can be smoked. The bill creates the Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation to manage a patient and caregiver registry and oversee the licensing of cannabis growers, processors, testing laboratories, and dispensaries. It integrates medical cannabis into the existing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and eliminates the sunset provision for certain PDMP requirements, ensuring they remain in effect beyond 2030.

The legislation outlines strict licensing requirements for cannabis-related entities, including residency and criminal background checks for applicants, and mandates that licensed operations occur in secure facilities while prohibiting advertising to the general public. It establishes a patient and caregiver registry with specific eligibility criteria and processes for obtaining identification cards, allowing patients to designate caregivers. Additionally, the bill requires dispensaries to consult with pharmacists before dispensing medical cannabis, prohibits claims about the efficacy of cannabis in treating diseases, and mandates documentation of cannabis dispensing within the PDMP. The bill also decriminalizes possession and distribution of medical cannabis products when compliant with its provisions and excludes certain items from the definition of drug paraphernalia for patient use.