Amendment 2 will allow terminally ill patients to receive medical marijuana to alleviate their pain.

“Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions,” as Amendment 2 is titled, holds these changes from the 2014 version:

▪ Specifically states patient conditions must be debilitating and excludes non-debilitating conditions, thus removing the challenge that marijuana could be recommended for less serious ailments. Those debilitating conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.

▪ Clearly articulates parental consent requirements in order for minors to receive medical cannabis, even though state law already covers that. Previous opponents incorrectly claimed minors would be able to acquire marijuana without parental knowledge.

▪ Explicitly affirms that doctors are not immune from negligence and malpractice in recommending medical cannabis.

▪ Requires the state Department of Health to establish qualifications and standards for caregivers, including conducting background checks.

Medical marijuana is endorsed by the American Medical Association,

American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians,

American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Preventive Medical

Association and many other national, international and state

organizations.

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