Kentucky lawmakers are considering a proposal that could protect medical marijuana use in hospitals for terminally ill patients. Supporters say patients should not have to give up a legal treatment when they enter a healthcare facility, especially during end-of-life care. The discussion comes as Kentucky’s medical cannabis program continues to expand and face new policy questions.
Key Takeaways
- Kentucky lawmakers heard testimony supporting hospital access for terminally ill medical cannabis patients.
- The proposal is modeled after Ryan’s Law, which has passed in several states.
- Supporters say cannabis may help some patients manage symptoms while remaining alert.
- Hospitals could still set rules for storage, documentation, and approved products.
- No final Kentucky bill has been introduced or approved.
Kentucky Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Hospital Access
The Kentucky legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Health Services recently heard testimony about allowing terminally ill patients to continue using medical cannabis during hospital stays.
Jim Bartell spoke to lawmakers about his son Ryan, who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Bartell said Ryan was first treated at a hospital that did not allow medical cannabis and was instead given fentanyl for pain.
According to Bartell, the medication left his son asleep and unable to communicate with loved ones for several weeks. Ryan was later transferred to a Seattle hospital that permitted medical cannabis.
Bartell said Ryan became alert, experienced relief, and spent time with 125 friends and relatives before his death. That experience led Bartell to advocate for legislation now known as Ryan’s Law.
What a Kentucky Ryan’s Law Proposal Could Do
Ryan’s Law is designed to stop hospitals from automatically denying legal medical cannabis to qualifying terminally ill patients.
Bartell told the committee that some hospitals may already permit cannabis under certain conditions. The concern is that access often depends entirely on an individual hospital’s internal rules.
A statewide policy could create more consistent protections while still allowing hospitals to establish safety procedures involving storage, patient eligibility, approved products, and medication interactions.
A future proposal would not necessarily require doctors to prescribe cannabis or nurses to administer it. Instead, it would protect registered patients who are already following state medical cannabis law.
Versions of Ryan’s Law have been adopted in California and other states, with additional proposals expected to receive consideration in 2027.
Medical Marijuana Use in Hospitals Raises Questions
Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, co-chair of the committee, said lawmakers need to determine what barriers currently exist in Kentucky hospitals.
Some facilities may already accommodate cannabis. Others may remain hesitant because of federal restrictions, liability concerns, or internal medication policies.
That can create a gap between legal access and practical access. A patient may qualify for Kentucky’s medical cannabis program but lose access after being admitted to a hospital.
Supporters of medical marijuana use in hospitals argue that legal treatment should not automatically become unavailable when a terminally ill patient needs inpatient care.
Heather Manus, founder of the Cannabis Nurses Network, told lawmakers that patients should not have to choose between healthcare and a legal therapy that may ease their suffering. She emphasized patient dignity, autonomy, and compassionate care.
Any future proposal could limit hospital use to approved product forms and controlled conditions.
Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program Is Expanding
Kentucky’s medical cannabis law took effect on January 1, 2025, after Gov. Andy Beshear signed legalization legislation in 2023. The state’s first licensed dispensary opened in December 2025.
Beshear also issued an executive order in June 2026 addressing additional qualifying conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, sickle cell anemia, fibromyalgia, arthritis, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and terminal illness.
The action drew opposition from House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, who questioned whether the governor had the authority to expand access without new legislation. Beshear defended the order as an effort to help seriously ill patients receive treatment.
That disagreement shows Kentucky’s program is still developing. Hospital access is now becoming part of the larger debate over how the state’s medical cannabis system should work in real healthcare settings.
Why Hospital Access Matters
The proposal is not meant to allow unrestricted cannabis use throughout hospitals. It focuses specifically on qualifying patients with serious or terminal conditions.
Supporters say some patients may want relief from pain, nausea, anxiety, or insomnia without becoming heavily sedated. For families, that could mean more meaningful time together during a patient’s final days.
Cannabis may not be appropriate for every patient or every treatment plan. Hospitals would still need to prioritize medical safety and communication among healthcare providers.
However, advocates believe those decisions should be based on individual care needs rather than a blanket facility-wide ban.
Conclusion
Kentucky has not yet approved statewide protections for medical marijuana use in hospitals, but the committee hearing marks an important first step. Lawmakers must now examine hospital policies, federal barriers, and patient safety concerns. For terminally ill patients and their families, the debate centers on whether legal medical cannabis should remain available when compassionate end-of-life care matters most.
