North Dakota Hospice Patients To Self-Certify For Medical Marijuana As Governor Signs Bill

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed a measure that would enable hospice care patients to self-certify as medical cannabis patients, reported Marijuana Moment.

The bill from Rep. Mary Schneider (D) was passed by the state House last month with overwhelming support, only to get the green light from the state Senate members last week.

Regulators would have 14 days to issue a cannabis patient card following the documentation's submission. Patients who are terminally ill will have the right to register as medical cannabis patients by using proof of their admittance to hospice care instead of a written recommendation from a doctor.

Prior to changes by the members of the House Human Services Committee last month, the bill sought to allow self-certification for those 65 and older.

Cannabis Legalization Efforts In ND

The Peace Garden state legalized medical marijuana in November 2016, with the first store launching cannabis sales on March 1, 2019.

For years, North Dakotans have been facing roadblocks when attempting to become patients. To that end, patients can legally consume only dried marijuana leaves and flowers or THC products, such as concentrates, tinctures, capsules, transdermal patches and lotions. As for cannabis edibles, the two bills seeking to legalize the medical marijuana product category failed to advance through the state legislature.

In terms of recreational marijuana use, the state voters decided not to legalize it last fall.

 Measure 2, which would have legalized the possession and retail sale of marijuana, lost by nearly ten percentage points in November's ballot.

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