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S 3294

Relating to medical use of cannabis and to the controlled substances therapeutic research act; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney

Summary of S 3294: Medical Cannabis and Controlled Substances Legislation OverviewS 3294, signed into law in January 2025, makes significant changes to state laws governing the med

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Bill Summary · S 3294

Summary of S 3294: Medical Cannabis and Controlled Substances Legislation

Overview

S 3294, signed into law in January 2025, makes significant changes to state laws governing the medical use of cannabis and controlled substances therapeutic research programs.

Key Provisions

The bill:

  1. Legalizes Medical Cannabis: Allows for the legal use of cannabis for qualifying medical conditions, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for cultivators, manufacturers, and dispensaries.

  2. Expands Controlled Substances Research: Broadens the state's Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act, enabling expanded research into the medical applications of previously restricted substances.

  3. Patient & Provider Protections: Prohibits discrimination against medical cannabis patients and provides legal protections for healthcare providers who recommend or prescribe cannabis-based treatments.

  4. Tax Revenue for Healthcare: Imposes a 15% excise tax on medical cannabis sales, with the revenue dedicated to funding state healthcare programs and addiction treatment services.

Affected Parties

  • Patients with qualifying medical conditions who now have legal access to medical cannabis
  • Healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and researchers, who can recommend and study cannabis-based treatments
  • Cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and dispensaries establishing a new legal market
  • State and local governments benefiting from the new tax revenue stream

Timeline and Implementation

The law takes effect 90 days after signing, requiring the state's medical cannabis regulatory agency to establish licensing and operating rules within 6 months. The first licensed dispensaries are expected to open 12 months after the law's effective date.

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

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