The Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act (SB311), also known as “Ryan’s Law”, was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28, 2021, requiring healthcare facilities to allow the use of medical cannabis on their premises for terminally ill patients with a valid Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) or/ recommendation from a physician. Subsequently, the California legislature passed SB 988 in 2022 to clarify the requirements for healthcare facility staff, and in 2023, they expanded the Act's provisions to include patients aged 65 years or older with a chronic disease and home health agencies through the passage of SB 302.
Ryan’s law was passed in honor of Ryan Bartell, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the age of 41. As his condition progressed, he was admitted to the palliative wing of a hospital, where he spent his first four and a half weeks on fentanyl to treat his pain. Unfortunately, the first hospital could not allow Ryan to use cannabis in their facility. He stayed on this medication until his family could locate and move Ryan to a hospital that would allow him to use cannabis. As a result of using medical cannabis, he spent his last two and a half weeks lucid and pain-free with his family and friends. Following this experience, Ryan’s father, Jim Bartell, made it his mission to ensure that no other family would have to navigate this choice for palliative care, losing precious time with their loved one.
Physicians with patients who are terminally ill or 65 and older with a chronic disease need only to provide a written recommendation for medical cannabis for their patients to be allowed to use medical cannabis in health care facilities. This is the same recommendation as for the Compassionate Use Act qualification. If patients have issues with health care facilities refusing to comply or refuse to admit a patient due to their medical cannabis patient status, please contact us at [email protected].
The Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act (Ryan's Law)
The full statutory text of Senate Bill 311
Patient & Caregiver Guide & Resources
Guidance for patients and families on qualification, documentation, caregiver involvement, questions to ask before admission, and how to respond if a facility does not allow access.
Healthcare Professionals' Guide to The Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act
Guidance for physicians and other licensed professionals on discussing cannabis with patients, documenting use, supporting continuity of care, and helping patients prepare for admission.
CA Health Care Facility's Implementation Guide to The Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act
Operational guidance for health facilities on intake review, registry verification, charting, storage, caregiver procedures, written policies, and staff training.
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