Bill Summary: SF1641 - Medical Cannabis Use Authorization

• Permits qualified patients with debilitating medical conditions (cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, hepatitis C, Tourette's syndrome, ALS, PTSD, severe pain, nausea, seizures, muscle spasms, Crohn's disease, and others approved by commissioner) to legally use cannabis with a valid registry identification card issued by the commissioner of health.

• Establishes Alternative Treatment Centers and Safety Compliance Facilities as registered medical cannabis organizations; limits alternative treatment centers to one per county with populations under 300,000, two per county with 300,000-999,999 population, and three per county with 1,000,000+ population.

• Requires patients to obtain written certification from a licensed practitioner after full physical examination and medical history assessment; patients must be at least 18 years old unless two practitioners certify and a parent/guardian consents and serves as designated caregiver.

• Sets allowable possession at 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis per qualifying patient and per designated caregiver; prohibits smoking and vaporizing in public places, on transportation, or where minors could inhale vapor.

• Creates Medical Cannabis Advisory Council with nine members including health practitioners, patient representative, and state commissioners; appropriates $3.5 million for implementation beginning July 1, 2014.