CS/HB 7117 Summary: Medical Use of Marijuana

• Prohibits physicians from certifying patients under age 18 for marijuana other than low-THC cannabis unless a board-certified pediatrician concurs that it is the most effective treatment; also prohibits certification for pregnant patients except for low-THC cannabis.

• Establishes daily dose limits: edibles capped at 200 mg of THC per day and marijuana in smoking form capped at 0.08 ounces per day; allows physicians to request exceptions through department review process with 14-day approval timeline.

• Waives medical marijuana identification card fees for qualified veterans who provide proof of veteran status via DD Form 214 or other official veteran identification documentation.

• Requires medical marijuana testing laboratories to be independent from treatment centers and prohibits financial relationships between labs and treatment centers while permitting testing service contracts.

• Appropriates $350,000 in nonrecurring funds from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund to the Department of Health for implementation; effective date is July 1, 2019.