OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington House has approved legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in certain health care facilities under specific conditions.
House Bill 2152 permits qualifying patients with a terminal condition to use medical cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care centers, provided facilities adopt policies outlining how it may be used.
The bill passed the House on Feb. 10 with a vote of 89-6 and has been referred to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
Under the proposal, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, licensed hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice centers would be required to allow medical cannabis use by qualifying patients with terminal conditions, subject to facility policies.
The legislation requires facilities to establish policies that:
- Prohibit smoking or vaping cannabis.
- Require documentation of cannabis use in the patient’s medical record.
- Require patients to provide valid authorization.
- Make the patient or designated provider responsible for obtaining, administering, and removing the cannabis.
- Require secure storage in a locked container.
- Prohibit staff, including physicians and nurses, from administering cannabis.
- Prohibit sharing cannabis with others.
- Require removal or proper disposal upon discharge.
The policies would not apply in emergency departments or for patients receiving emergency care.
The bill also states that compliance would not be a condition of licensure and allows facilities to suspend compliance if federal regulators take enforcement action related to cannabis use in health care settings.
Lawmakers said the measure is intended to promote dignity and comfort for terminally ill patients while maintaining safety within health care environments.
If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the policy changes would take effect in 2027.
