Oregon care facilities must allow eligible patients to use medical marijuana

Starting January 1, 2027, the law requires designated care organizations and facilities to allow eligible patients to use medical marijuana on site and keep written handling rules. The requirements cover organizations and residential facilities designated as additional caregivers for patients or residents who meet the card or application-receipt rule. Direct care staff must complete training before caring for a patient or resident who uses medical marijuana. The training covers medical uses, ways to take it, and possible risks or drug interactions. The requirements do not apply to residential treatment homes or facilities, home health agencies, or hospice programs delivering home health care in a home setting. Hospitals and hospital-affiliated clinics designated as additional caregivers are also exempt. Eligible patients must hold a medical marijuana registry card or have a receipt for a card application issued within the previous 35 days. The requirements take effect January 1, 2027. The health authority may conditionally designate organizations or facilities before then; policies are due by June 30, 2027, and training must be available to staff by December 31, 2027. The authority must remove a designation if those deadlines are missed.

The law’s definition of a condition that can qualify for medical marijuana includes needing hospice, palliative, comfort, or other symptom care. The definition applies in Oregon’s medical marijuana statutes. The listed care includes comprehensive pain management. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.

The law allows licensed nurses to discuss medical marijuana with their patients, and the nursing board may not penalize or discipline them for doing so. This applies to nurses licensed in Oregon and people who have a patient-provider relationship with them. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.