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Bill

HB 486

Medical care facilities; expanded access to medical cannabis for terminally ill patients.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Fowler and 3 co-sponsors

HB 486 allows Virginia medical facilities to provide cannabis to terminally ill patients for symptom management, bypassing standard medical cannabis licensing requirements for end-of-life care.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB486)
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Bill Summary · HB 486

Legislative bill overview

HB 486 expands access to medical cannabis in Virginia specifically for terminally ill patients receiving care at medical facilities. The bill modifies existing medical cannabis regulations to remove or reduce barriers for end-of-life patients, likely allowing healthcare providers to recommend cannabis for symptom management without standard licensing restrictions.

Why is this important

Terminally ill patients often experience severe pain, nausea, and anxiety that conventional medications may not adequately address. This bill addresses a palliative care gap by allowing medical facilities to offer cannabis as a treatment option during end-of-life care, potentially improving quality of life in final months without requiring patients to navigate Virginia's standard medical cannabis application process.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal-state legal conflict: Cannabis remains federally illegal, creating liability concerns for medical facilities, healthcare providers, and institutions that may face federal prosecution despite state authorization
  • Scope and oversight concerns: Questions about which facilities qualify, what terminal diagnoses qualify, dosing standards, and whether adequate medical oversight exists to prevent misuse
  • Implementation challenges: How existing medical facilities integrate cannabis provision into their operations, staff training requirements, supply chain establishment, and potential conflicts with institutional policies or federal funding restrictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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