HB 858 – Permit Cannabis Medical Research Studies

HB 858 – Permit Cannabis Medical Research Studies

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake); Rep. John Faircloth (R-Guilford); Rep. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill:

• Establishes the NC Cannabis Alternative Treatment Act to permit the use of cannabis as an alternative treatment for medical conditions.
• Requires DHHS to create a Cannabis Alternative Treatment database registry for the registration of physicians, caregivers, and patients.
• Requires a written certification or statement signed by a patient’s physician that, in the physician’s professional opinion, the patient has a medical condition and the potential health benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for the patient.
• Permits physicians to approve dispensation of cannabis acquired from another jurisdiction to a registered caregiver.
• Provides civil, criminal, and disciplinary immunity for physicians who approve or recommend the use of cannabis or provide a written certification for the use of cannabis.
• Establishes the NC Cannabis Research Program, which would permit any physician who issues a written certification to a patient to be allowed to participate in objective scientific research regarding the administration of cannabis as part of medical treatment.

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021