General Assembly |
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January Session, 2015 |
*_____SB01064JUD___040715____* |
AN ACT CONCERNING THE PALLIATIVE USE OF MARIJUANA.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 21a-408 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
As used in [sections 21a-408] this section, sections 21a-408a to 21a-408o, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 10 to 14, inclusive, of this act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Cultivation" includes planting, propagating, cultivating, growing and harvesting;
(2) "Debilitating medical condition" means (A) cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, epilepsy, cachexia, wasting syndrome, Crohn's disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, or (B) any medical condition, medical treatment or disease approved by the Department of Consumer Protection pursuant to regulations adopted under section 21a-408m;
(3) "Institutional animal care and use committee" means a committee that oversees an organization's animal program, facilities and procedures to ensure compliance with federal policies, guidelines and principles related to the care and use of animals in research;
(4) "Institutional review board" means a specifically constituted review body established or designated by an organization to protect the rights and welfare of persons recruited to participate in biomedical, behavioral or social science research;
(5) "Laboratory" means a laboratory located in this state that is licensed to provide analysis of controlled substances pursuant to section 21a-246;
(6) "Laboratory employee" means a person licensed as a laboratory employee pursuant to section 10 of this act;
[(3)] (7) "Licensed dispensary" or "dispensary" means a person licensed as a dispensary pursuant to section 21a-408h, as amended by this act;
[(4)] (8) "Licensed producer" or "producer" means a person licensed as a producer pursuant to section 21a-408i;
[(5)] (9) "Marijuana" means marijuana, as defined in section 21a-240;
(10) "Nurse" means a person who is licensed under chapter 378;
[(6)] (11) "Palliative use" means the acquisition, distribution, transfer, possession, use or transportation of marijuana or paraphernalia relating to marijuana, including the transfer of marijuana and paraphernalia relating to marijuana from the patient's primary caregiver to the qualifying patient, to alleviate a qualifying patient's symptoms of a debilitating medical condition or the effects of such symptoms, but does not include any such use of marijuana by any person other than the qualifying patient;
[(7)] (12) "Paraphernalia" means drug paraphernalia, as defined in section 21a-240;
[(8)] (13) "Physician" means a person who is licensed under chapter 370, but does not include a physician assistant, as defined in section 20-12a;
[(9)] (14) "Primary caregiver" means a person, other than the qualifying patient and the qualifying patient's physician, who is eighteen years of age or older and has agreed to undertake responsibility for managing the well-being of the qualifying patient with respect to the palliative use of marijuana, provided (A) in the case of a qualifying patient under eighteen years of age or otherwise lacking legal capacity, such person shall be a parent, guardian or person having legal custody of such qualifying patient, and (B) in the case of a qualifying patient eighteen years of age or older lacking legal capacity, the need for such person shall be evaluated by the qualifying patient's physician and such need shall be documented in the written certification;
[(10)] (15) "Qualifying patient" means a person who: [is eighteen years of age or older, is] (A) Is a resident of Connecticut, [and] (B) has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, and (C) (i) is eighteen years of age or older, or (ii) has written consent from a custodial parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of the qualifying patient that indicates that the qualifying patient has permission from such parent, guardian or other person for the palliative use of marijuana for a debilitating medical condition other than posttraumatic stress disorder and that such parent, guardian or other person shall serve as a primary caregiver for the qualifying patient and controls the acquisition and possession of marijuana for palliative use and any related paraphernalia on behalf of the qualifying patient. "Qualifying patient" does not include an inmate confined in a correctional institution or facility under the supervision of the Department of Correction;
(16) "Research program" means a study approved by the Department of Consumer Protection in accordance with this chapter and undertaken to increase information or knowledge with regard to the growth, processing, medical attributes, dosage forms, administration or use of marijuana to treat or alleviate symptoms of any medical condition or the effects of such symptoms;
(17) "Research program employee" means a person licensed as a research program employee pursuant to section 12 of this act;
(18) "Research program subject" means a person registered as a research program subject pursuant to section 14 of this act;
[(11)] (19) "Usable marijuana" means the dried leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant, and any mixtures or preparations of such leaves and flowers, that are appropriate for the palliative use of marijuana, but does not include the seeds, stalks and roots of the marijuana plant; and
[(12)] (20) "Written certification" means a written certification issued by a physician pursuant to section 21a-408c, as amended by this act.
Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 21a-408a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section do not apply to:
(1) Any palliative use of marijuana that endangers the health or well-being of a person other than the qualifying patient or the primary caregiver; or
(2) The ingestion of marijuana (A) in a motor bus or a school bus or in any other moving vehicle, (B) in the workplace, (C) on any school grounds or any public or private school, dormitory, college or university property, unless such college or university is participating in a research program and such use is pursuant to the terms of the research program, (D) in any public place, or (E) in the presence of a person under the age of eighteen, unless such person is a qualifying patient or research program subject. For the purposes of this subdivision, (i) "presence" means within the direct line of sight of the palliative use of marijuana or exposure to second-hand marijuana smoke, or both; (ii) "public place" means any area that is used or held out for use by the public whether owned or operated by public or private interests; (iii) "vehicle" means a vehicle, as defined in section 14-1; (iv) "motor bus" means a motor bus, as defined in section 14-1; and (v) "school bus" means a school bus, as defined in section 14-1.
Sec. 3. Section 21a-408c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) A physician may issue a written certification to a qualifying patient that authorizes the palliative use of marijuana by the qualifying patient. Such written certification shall be in the form prescribed by the Department of Consumer Protection and shall include a statement signed and dated by the qualifying patient's physician stating that, in such physician's professional opinion, the qualifying patient has a debilitating medical condition and the potential benefits of the palliative use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks of such use to the qualifying patient.
(b) Any written certification for the palliative use of marijuana issued by a physician under subsection (a) of this section shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date such written certification is signed and dated by the physician. Not later than ten calendar days after the expiration of such period, or at any time before the expiration of such period should the qualifying patient no longer wish to possess marijuana for palliative use, the qualifying patient or the primary caregiver shall destroy all usable marijuana possessed by the qualifying patient and the primary caregiver for palliative use.
(c) A physician shall not be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by the Connecticut Medical Examining Board or other professional licensing board, for providing a written certification for the palliative use of marijuana under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 21a-408a if:
(1) The physician has diagnosed the qualifying patient as having a debilitating medical condition;
(2) The physician has explained the potential risks and benefits of the palliative use of marijuana to the qualifying patient and, if the qualifying patient lacks legal capacity, to a parent, guardian or person having legal custody of the qualifying patient;
(3) The written certification issued by the physician is based upon the physician's professional opinion after having completed a medically reasonable assessment of the qualifying patient's medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship; and
(4) The physician has no financial interest in a dispensary licensed under section 21a-408h, as amended by this act, or a producer licensed under section 21a-408i.
(d) A nurse shall not be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by the Board of Examiners for Nursing or other professional licensing board, for administering marijuana to a qualifying patient or research program subject in a hospital or health care facility licensed by the Department of Public Health.
Sec. 4. Section 21a-408d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Each qualifying patient who is issued a written certification for the palliative use of marijuana under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 21a-408a, and the primary caregiver of such qualifying patient, shall register with the Department of Consumer Protection. Such registration shall be effective from the date the Department of Consumer Protection issues a certificate of registration until the expiration of the written certification issued by the physician. The qualifying patient and the primary caregiver shall provide sufficient identifying information, as determined by the department, to establish the personal identity of the qualifying patient and the primary caregiver. If the qualifying patient is under eighteen years of age, the custodial parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of the qualifying patient shall also provide a letter from both the qualifying patient's pediatrician and a physician who is board certified in an area of medicine involved in the treatment of the debilitating condition for which the qualifying patient was certified, confirming that the palliative use of marijuana is in the qualifying patient's best interest. The qualifying patient or the primary caregiver shall report any change in [such] the identifying information to the department not later than five business days after such change. The department shall issue a registration certificate to the qualifying patient and to the primary caregiver and may charge a reasonable fee, not to exceed twenty-five dollars, for each registration certificate issued under this subsection. Any registration fees collected by the department under this subsection shall be paid to the State Treasurer and credited to the account established pursuant to section 21a-408q, as amended by this act.
(b) Information obtained under this section shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200, except that reasonable access to registry information obtained under this section and temporary registration information obtained under section 21a-408n shall be provided to: (1) State agencies, federal agencies and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting a violation of law; (2) physicians and pharmacists for the purpose of providing patient care and drug therapy management and monitoring controlled substances obtained by the qualifying patient; (3) public or private entities for research or educational purposes, provided no individually identifiable health information may be disclosed; (4) a licensed dispensary for the purpose of complying with sections 21a-408 to 21a-408n, inclusive, as amended by this act; (5) a qualifying patient, but only with respect to information related to such qualifying patient or such qualifying patient's primary caregiver; or (6) a primary caregiver, but only with respect to information related to such primary caregiver's qualifying patient.
Sec. 5. Section 21a-408h of the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (d) as follows (Effective from passage):
(NEW) (d) On or before January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, each licensed dispensary shall report data to the Department of Consumer Protection relating to the types, mixtures and dosages of palliative marijuana dispensed by such dispensary. A report prepared pursuant to this subsection shall be in such form as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.
Sec. 6. Section 21a-408j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) No licensed dispensary or employee of the dispensary may: (1) Acquire marijuana from a person other than a licensed producer; (2) distribute or dispense marijuana to a person who is not (A) a qualifying patient registered under section 21a-408d, as amended by this act, or 21a-408n; [, or] (B) a primary caregiver of such qualifying patient; (C) a hospice or other inpatient care facility licensed by the Department of Public Health pursuant to chapter 368v that has a protocol for the handling and distribution of marijuana that has been approved by the Department of Consumer Protection; (D) a laboratory; or (E) an organization engaged in a research program; or (3) obtain or transport marijuana outside of this state in violation of state or federal law.
(b) No licensed dispensary or employee of the dispensary acting within the scope of his or her employment shall be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for acquiring, possessing, distributing or dispensing marijuana pursuant to sections 21a-408 to 21a-408n, as amended by this act, inclusive.
Sec. 7. Section 21a-408k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) No licensed producer or employee of the producer may: (1) Sell, deliver, transport or distribute marijuana to a person who is not (A) a licensed dispensary, (B) a laboratory, or (C) an organization engaged in a research program, or (2) obtain or transport marijuana outside of this state in violation of state or federal law.
(b) No licensed producer or employee of the producer acting within the scope of his or her employment shall be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for cultivating marijuana or selling, delivering, transporting or distributing marijuana to licensed dispensaries under sections 21a-408 to 21a-408n, inclusive, as amended by this act.
Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 21a-408l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall establish a Board of Physicians consisting of eight physicians or surgeons who are knowledgeable about the palliative use of marijuana. [and certified by the appropriate American board in one of the following specialties: Neurology, pain medicine, pain management, medical oncology, psychiatry, infectious disease, family medicine or gynecology.] Four of the members of the board first appointed shall serve for a term of three years and four of the members of the board first appointed shall serve for a term of four years. Thereafter, members of the board shall serve for a term of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment. Any member of the board may serve until a successor is appointed. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall serve as an ex-officio member of the board, and shall select a chairperson from among the members of the board.
Sec. 9. Section 21a-408q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
There is established a palliative marijuana administration account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any fees collected pursuant to subsection (a) of section 21a-408d, as amended by this act, any fees collected pursuant to sections 21a-408h, as amended by this act, and 21a-408i, any fees collected pursuant to subsection (b) of section 21a-408m, and any other moneys required by law to be deposited in the account, and shall be held in trust separate and apart from all other moneys, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in the account at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the account for the fiscal year next succeeding. Investment earnings credited to the account shall become part of the account. Amounts in the account shall be expended only for the purpose of providing funds to the Department of Consumer Protection for administering the provisions of [sections 21a-408 to 21a-408o, inclusive] this chapter.
Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person may act as a laboratory employee or represent that such person is a licensed laboratory employee unless such person has obtained a license from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to this section.
(b) Prior to the effective date of regulations adopted under this section, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may issue a temporary certificate of registration to a laboratory employee. The commissioner shall prescribe the standards, procedures and fees for obtaining a temporary certificate of registration as a laboratory employee.
(c) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, to (1) provide for the licensure of laboratories and laboratory employees; (2) establish standards and procedures for the revocation, suspension, summary suspension and nonrenewal of laboratory and laboratory employee licenses, provided such standards and procedures are consistent with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 4-182 of the general statutes; (3) establish a license and renewal fee for each licensed laboratory and licensed laboratory employee, provided the aggregate amount of such license and renewal fees shall not be less than the amount necessary to cover the direct and indirect cost of licensing and regulating laboratories and laboratory employees in accordance with the provisions of chapter 420f of the general statutes; and (4) establish other licensing, renewal and operational standards deemed necessary by the commissioner.
(d) Any fees collected by the Department of Consumer Protection under this section shall be paid to the State Treasurer and credited to the account established pursuant to section 21a-408q of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) No laboratory employee may: (1) Acquire marijuana from a person other than a licensed producer, licensed dispensary or organization engaged in a research program; (2) deliver, transport or distribute marijuana to: (A) A person who is not a licensed dispensary; (B) a person who is not a licensed producer; or (C) an organization not engaged in a research program; or (3) obtain or transport marijuana outside of this state in violation of state or federal law.
(b) No laboratory or laboratory employee acting within the scope of his or her employment shall be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for acquiring, possessing, delivering, transporting or distributing marijuana to a licensed dispensary, a licensed producer or an organization engaged in an approved research program under the provisions of chapter 420f of the general statutes.
Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may approve a research program if such research program (1) is to be administered or overseen by (A) a hospital or health care facility licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health pursuant to chapter 368v of the general statutes, (B) an institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-55 of the general statutes, (C) a licensed producer, or (D) a licensed dispensary, and (2) will have institutional review board oversight and, if the research program involves the use of animals, will have an institutional animal care and use committee.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, no person may act as a research program employee or represent that such person is a licensed research program employee unless such person has obtained a license from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to this section.
(c) Prior to the effective date of regulations adopted under this section, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may issue a temporary certificate of registration to a research program employee. The commissioner shall prescribe the standards, procedures and fees for obtaining a temporary certificate of registration as a research program employee.
(d) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, to (1) provide for the approval of research programs and licensure of research program employees, (2) establish standards and procedures for the termination or suspension of a research program, (3) establish standards and procedures for the revocation, suspension, summary suspension and nonrenewal of a research program employee license, provided such standards and procedures are consistent with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 4-182 of the general statutes, (4) establish a (A) fee for research program review and approval, and (B) license and renewal fee for each research program employee, provided the aggregate amount of such fees shall not be less than the amount necessary to cover the direct and indirect cost of approving research programs and licensing and regulating research program employees pursuant to the provisions of chapter 420f of the general statutes, and (5) establish other licensing, renewal and operational standards deemed necessary by the commissioner.
(e) Any fees collected by the Department of Consumer Protection under this section shall be paid to the State Treasurer and credited to the account established pursuant to section 21a-408q of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) No research program or research program employee may: (1) Acquire marijuana from a person other than a licensed producer, licensed dispensary or laboratory; (2) deliver, transport or distribute marijuana to a person who is not: (A) A licensed dispensary; (B) a licensed producer; or (C) a research program subject; (3) distribute or administer marijuana to an animal unless such animal is an animal research subject; or (4) obtain or transport marijuana outside of this state in violation of state or federal law.
(b) No research program employee acting within the scope of his or her employment shall be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for acquiring, possessing, delivering, transporting or distributing marijuana to a licensed dispensary, a licensed producer or a research program subject or distributing or administering marijuana to an animal research subject under the provisions of chapter 420f of the general statutes.
Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Any person seeking to participate as a research program subject shall register with the Department of Consumer Protection prior to participating in an approved research program. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall prescribe the standards and procedures for obtaining a certificate of registration as a research program subject.
(b) A research program subject who has a valid registration certificate from the Department of Consumer Protection and is acting within the scope of his or her involvement in an approved research program shall not be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for the use of marijuana.
(c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this section do not apply to:
(1) Any use of marijuana that endangers the health or well-being of a person other than the research program subject or a research program employee; or
(2) The ingestion of marijuana (A) in a motor bus or a school bus or in any other moving vehicle, (B) in the workplace, (C) on any school grounds or any public or private school, dormitory, college or university property unless such college or university is participating in a research program and such use is pursuant to the terms of the research program, (D) in any public place, or (E) in the presence of a person under eighteen years of age unless such person is a qualifying patient or research program subject. For purposes of this subdivision, (i) "presence" means within the direct line of sight of the palliative use of marijuana or exposure to second-hand marijuana smoke, or both; (ii) "public place" means any area that is used or held out for use by the public whether owned or operated by public or private interests; (iii) "vehicle" means a vehicle, as defined in section 14-1 of the general statutes; (iv) "motor bus" means a motor bus, as defined in section 14-1 of the general statutes; and (v) "school bus" means a school bus, as defined in section 14-1 of the general statutes.
(d) Information obtained under this section shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200 of the general statutes, except that reasonable access to registry information obtained under this section shall be provided to: (1) State agencies, federal agencies and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting a violation of law; (2) physicians and pharmacists for the purpose of providing patient care and drug therapy management and monitoring controlled substances obtained by the research program subject; (3) public or private entities for research or educational purposes, provided no individually identifiable health information may be disclosed; (4) a licensed dispensary for the purpose of complying with sections 21a-408 to 21a-408n, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act; or (5) a research program subject, but only with respect to information related to such research program subject.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
from passage |
21a-408 |
Sec. 2 |
from passage |
21a-408a(b) |
Sec. 3 |
from passage |
21a-408c |
Sec. 4 |
from passage |
21a-408d |
Sec. 5 |
from passage |
21a-408h |
Sec. 6 |
from passage |
21a-408j |
Sec. 7 |
from passage |
21a-408k |
Sec. 8 |
from passage |
21a-408l(a) |
Sec. 9 |
from passage |
21a-408q |
Sec. 10 |
from passage |
New section |
Sec. 11 |
from passage |
New section |
Sec. 12 |
from passage |
New section |
Sec. 13 |
from passage |
New section |
Sec. 14 |
from passage |
New section |
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 12(d), the reference to "chapter 420" was changed to "chapter 420f" for accuracy.
JUD |
Joint Favorable Subst. |