CANNAHEALTH Cannabis 101: Patient & Caregiver | Page 57

Medical marijuana was legalized in California under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The Act allows individuals suffering from debilitating medical conditions and diseases such as cancer, AIDs, chronic pain, and glaucoma to use medical cannabis to relieve their symptoms without fear of criminal prosecution from state or local authorities within the state of California. However, the legalization of cannabis in California made it to the table realistically without assistance or guidance from relevant laws (California Cannabis Law, 2016).

Massachusetts possibly has the most comprehensive and clear law on the books regarding cannabis use and states Ballot initiative Question 4 was approved by 54 percent of voters in November 2016, legalizing adult use of marijuana and subjecting it to taxes and rules like those that apply to alcohol. Under the law, which took effect December 15, 2016, in Massachusetts, adults 21 and older can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, keep up to 10 ounces of marijuana at home, and grow up to six plants for personal use. Cannabis edibles and concentrates are also legal under the very clear Massachusetts law (Massachusetts Cannabis Law, 2016).

Should states that legalized cannabis go backward and establish relevant laws now or establish and write the laws as they go along? Again, another question to be answered (Marijuana-Caregiver, 2018). With more states contemplating legalizing

medicinal and recreational

marijuana, should laws

already fine-tuned be

in place or should they

be crafted (after)

legalization?

Too many questions to be answered still. The tug-of-war will continue between the caregiver and patient until there are consistent and clear laws across the board. Until clear laws are in place that cover the caregiver role in the case of medicinal cannabis delivery, the questions will continue (Greenwich Biosciences, 2018).

-Carole Shelton-Toney MS, BA, PhD (Abd)