Connecticut House Bill HB05242

Connecticut 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/26
• Refer: 2/18/26

Caption

An Act Requiring Certain Health Care Facilities To Allow Terminally Ill Qualifying Patients To Use Cannabis.

Impact

The implementation of this bill would require healthcare facilities to amend their policies to accommodate the use of cannabis by qualifying patients. Facilities must include cannabis use within the patient's medical records and develop written guidelines for its use. The requirements are designed to balance patient needs with safety considerations for all individuals in the facility. Furthermore, facilities will be mandated to ensure that cannabis is securely stored and managed, which underscores an acknowledgment of the complexities surrounding marijuana use in a clinical setting.

Summary

House Bill 05242 aims to require certain healthcare facilities to permit terminally ill patients to use cannabis. This bill is particularly focused on providing terminally ill patients with the autonomy to use medical marijuana for relief while they are under treatment in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities. The legislation defines a 'qualifying patient' as someone who has obtained a valid registration certificate and has a prognosis of one year or less to live. Importantly, the bill prohibits smoking or vaping cannabis, aiming to ensure a safe environment for other patients and staff in the facility.

Contention

There are potential points of contention regarding the bill, particularly related to its intersection with federal regulations concerning cannabis. Although the bill intends to empower terminally ill patients, it allows non-compliance if federal agencies like the Department of Justice or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directly intervene. Critics may argue that this creates uncertainty for patients and healthcare providers, as the bill does not provide complete freedom from federal constraints on cannabis usage as a Schedule I controlled substance. Opposition may also stem from concerns that hospitals might oppose cannabis use due to such regulations, which could limit its accessibility to patients in need.