Virginia Legislature Send Medical Cannabis Access Bill for Terminally Ill Patients to Governor Spanberger
- Virginia Senate Bill 332 allows terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis while receiving care in hospitals and health facilities and has been sent to Governor Spanberger for approval.
- The bill passed the Senate unanimously and received overwhelming support in the House of Delegates, with a 97 to 1 vote after adopting a substitute version.
- The legislation protects healthcare employees in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, and assisted living facilities from prosecution when administering medical cannabis oil to certified patients.
- The Virginia Department of Health will form a work group to develop guidelines for the safe use of medical cannabis in care settings, with a report due to legislative committees by November 1, 2026.
A Virginia measure that would ensure terminally ill patients can use medical cannabis while receiving care in hospitals and other health facilities has been sent to Governor Spanberger. Senate Bill 332, sponsored by State Senator Barbara Favola (D), previously passed the Senate unanimously before receiving overwhelming approval in the House of Delegates by a vote of 97 to 1. Because the House adopted a substitute version, the legislation returned to the Senate for a concurrence vote. Lawmakers have now agreed to the House’s changes, sending the bill to the governor’s desk.
A spokesperson for Governor Spanberger says she plans to sign the measure into law.
The House substitute amends state law to explicitly protect employees of hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities and assisted living facilities from prosecution when they store, dispense or administer medical cannabis oil to patients who have a valid written certification.
In addition, the bill directs the Virginia Department of Health to convene a work group to examine how medical cannabis can be safely provided within medical care settings and to develop written guidelines for its use. The work group must include representatives from hospital and health care associations, providers and hospice professionals.
The panel is tasked with reviewing relevant federal guidance and evaluating how potential changes to marijuana’s status under the federal Controlled Substances Act could impact implementation.
A report outlining recommended guidelines must be submitted to key House and Senate committees by November 1, 2026.