Washington Senate Committee Approves Bill Requiring Care Facilities to Allow Medical Marijuana for Terminal Patients

A bill that would require certain health care facilities in Washington to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana while receiving care took another step forward today, clearing a key Senate panel with strong bipartisan support. The Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care voted 9 to 1 to pass House Bill 2152, sending the proposal to the full Senate for further consideration. The vote comes after the measure previously passed the Washington House of Representatives by an 89 to 6 margin.

Sponsored by State Representatives Shelley Kloba (D) and Skyler Rude (R) along with 22 bipartisan cosponsors, the legislation would require licensed hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care centers to adopt formal policies allowing qualifying patients with terminal conditions to use medical marijuana beginning January 1, 2027.

Under the proposal, patients would be required to provide valid medical authorization, and marijuana use would need to be documented in the patient’s medical record. Smoking and vaping would remain prohibited, but patients would be allowed to consume marijuana through other methods such as edibles, tinctures, capsules and topicals.

The bill specifies that obtaining, administering and removing marijuana would be the responsibility of the patient or a designated provider. Health care staff, including doctors and nurses, would not be allowed to administer marijuana, and sharing between patients or visitors would be prohibited.

With the 9 to 1 committee vote, the measure now moves closer to a final vote in the Senate as lawmakers continue deliberations during the 2026 legislative session.