Bill expands medical marijuana act

A bill introduced May 18 would expand the use of medical marijuana to patients with terminal illnesses.

Sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, House Bill 400 classifies terminal illness in adults as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana and defines terminal illness as any disease, illness or condition sustained by any person that is deemed fatal within a year regardless of any other medical treatment.

HB 400, known as “Bob’s Bill,” was inspired in part by Newark resident Rich Jester, whose father Robert “Bob” Jester passed away from terminal lung cancer earlier this year.

The bill would also expand upon Senate Bill 90, known as “Rylie’s Law,” by classifying pain, anxiety, or depression, if related to a terminal illness, as a qualifying condition in the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act for patients under the age 18, who will still be restricted to using cannabidiol, CBD, and oil products.

HB 400 has been assigned to the House Health & Human Development Committee.