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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]G[/dropcap]ood news may be on the horizon for cannabis patients who have trouble traveling to local retailers. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) will soon begin conducting a study that will look into the feasibility of allowing cannabis delivery for medical patients.

In January 2018, Washington State Rep. Shelley Koba put forth House Bill 2574, which would permit “marijuana delivery to medical marijuana patients.” While the bill was eventually hung up in a rules committee, a proposal in the form of a feasibility study was added as a budget provision to the supplemental budget, in lieu of the bill being passed as a law.

Koba told CULTURE about her motivation for putting forth the bill, as well as her dedication to advocating for home delivery for cannabis patients. While visiting cannabis retailers as part of a tour for her role as Active Chair of Commerce & Gaming, Koba noticed that many of the medical cannabis patients visiting retailers had walkers and power chairs. She also became aware that many patients were undergoing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants.

“The folks who benefit from cannabis the most are the same folks who are having the most difficulty getting into the stores,” Koba explained.

On a more personal level, Koba shared a story about a family friend who was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given only months to live upon prognosis. Cannabis was suggested as a way to ease that patient’s suffering and help treat their symptoms. However, limited access to cannabis meant family members had to spend what little precious time they had procuring a beneficial treatment, instead of spending the time with their loved one.

“The folks who benefit from cannabis the most, are the same folks who are having the most difficulty getting into the stores.”

 

It was these experiences that served as an impetus for Koba to advocate for eliminating physical barriers for medical cannabis patients. According to Koba, the LCB liked the idea of medical cannabis delivery on the surface. Unfortunately, the mechanics of the proposal made the LCB uncomfortable, which contributed to the bill getting stuck in the rules committee.

Koba suggested a number of regulations to help make medical cannabis delivery a reality in a regulated environment. Regulations were suggested such as establishing requirements for retailers authorized to deliver medical cannabis, educating delivery drivers on Washington’s traceability system and ensuring drivers comply with these regulations and establishing safety guidelines for drivers.

Several other states have managed to establish cannabis delivery within a regulated system, so it stands to reason that Washington could make it work. So what’s next for cannabis delivery in Washington? The LCB’s study will help determine the direction of the legislation.

Brian Smith, Communications Director for the LCB told CULTURE about the regulatory agency’s involvement in the study. “2017 legislation directs the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to study how a delivery system of medical cannabis could work in Washington State,” Smith stated. “As the agency did last year regarding the study of home grows of cannabis, we will consult with a diverse set of stakeholders and the public over the interim to gain their input.”

The LCB’s findings on this study are due back to the Legislature on December 1, 2018. The results of the study will help determine the next steps for the legality of medical cannabis delivery. Koba hopes to present another bill to the house, with the intent of eliminating barriers to access for cannabis patients once and for all.

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