HB386 Summary

• Authorizes medical use of marijuana for qualifying patients diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's disease agitation, and conditions producing cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe muscle spasms.

• Establishes a registry system administered by the Department of Public Health where qualifying patients and caregivers receive identification cards; registered patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and up to 6 mature and 6 immature plants.

• Creates protections from arrest and prosecution for registered patients, primary caregivers, and physicians providing medical certifications when acting in compliance with the act, and prohibits discrimination by schools, employers, and landlords based on registration status.

• Authorizes registration of up to three nonprofit compassion centers statewide to cultivate and dispense marijuana to registered qualifying patients, with strict operational and security requirements.

• Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt implementing rules within 120 days and establishes enforcement mechanisms including card revocation for violations; act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage.