In the dynamic landscape of medical cannabis reform, the Ryan’s Law Foundation continues to gain momentum through 2025 in their mission to expand compassionate care for terminally ill patients nationwide. California’s Ryan’s Law (SB311), first passed into law in 2021. The legislation protects the rights of terminal ill patients in hospice care to access medical cannabis as an option for pain relief and comfort. With recent legislative advancements in Rhode Island and Oregon, the movement is proving that the glass ceiling in healthcare for cannabis to be perceived as a viable option is finally experiencing significant cracks.
Rhode Island’s H 5630 and Oregon’s HB 3214 have pushed the mission of Ryan’s Law forward, steadily reinforcing the recognition that end-of-life patients deserve access to plant medicine. These victories represent a shift in medical cannabis policy reform and shine light on the need prioritizing quality of life in terminal care.
Ryan’s Law in Rhode Island and Oregon
On March 11, 2025, Oregon’s lawmakers held a hearing regarding HB 3214, a bill aligning the state with Ryan’s Law principles, ensuring that patients in hospice and palliative care facilities maintain the legal right to access cannabis for pain management and symptom relief. The hearing marked a critical milestone in breaking down outdated restrictions and providing patients with autonomy in their choice of medicine while enduring end-of-life care.
Similarly, Rhode Island legislators drafted H 5630 to be presented during a legislative hearing by the end of March. H 5630 promises to further efforts to remove barriers that prevent non-smokable cannabis use in healthcare facilities in The Ocean State. Additionally, H 5630 strengthens Rhode Island’s progressive stance on cannabis and reinforces the principle that healthcare facilities should prioritize patient comfort over bureaucracy.
A Pivotal Moment for Medical Cannabis Reform
For decades, stigma and federal restrictions have created many difficulties and barriers for cannabis use in healthcare. Most recently, with every legislative hearing Ryan’s Law is reshaping how the medical community and lawmakers view cannabis as a tool for palliative care.
According to Jim Bartell, Founder and President of the Ryan’s Law Foundation, the expansion of Ryan’s Law is gaining significant momentum:
“Leveraging the momentum we have generated in the past year, we are very confident that the states that have already legalized some form of medical cannabis will consider passing Ryan’s Law in the next 18 months.”
What This Means for Terminally Ill Patients
For those battling terminal illnesses, medical cannabis access is more than a policy change—it’s autonomy. Opioid-based treatments often leave patients heavily sedated, unable to fully experience their remaining time with loved ones. Medical cannabis offers an alternative that provides relief while allowing patients to remain present, alert, and engaged.
The implementation of Ryan’s Law in all states where cannabis has been legalized, ensures that no patient suffers unnecessarily due to outdated policies or fear of systemic pushback.
How You Can Support the Movement
The Ryan’s Law Foundation continues to advocate for national expansion, but we need your help to keep the momentum going. You can:
- Contact state legislators and encourage them to pass Ryan’s Law.
- Donate to the Ryan’s Law Foundation to help fund advocacy and legislative efforts.
- Share patient stories to highlight the real-world impact of medical cannabis in hospice care.
To learn more or get involved, visit ryanslawfoundation.org.
A Future of Compassionate Care
With the recent progress in various states from coast to coast, Ryan’s Law is proving that compassionate cannabis care is no longer a state-by-state anomaly—it’s a national movement. As lawmakers continue to recognize the importance of patient dignity and autonomy, Ryan’s Law efforts are paving the way for a future where every terminally ill patient has access to the care they deserve.
More about Ryan’s law from JM Balbuena here at Beard Bros Pharms.
Navy veteran JM Balbuena is an award-winning author, filmmaker, advocate, and entrepreneur committed to empowering aspiring leaders in the legal cannabis space. Her debut book, The Successful Canna-preneur, earned her “Cannabis Educator of the Year” (2021 Las Vegas Cannabis Awards) and inclusion in The New Latina’s “100 Latinas Shaping The World.” In June 2024, JM published Green Renaissance, exploring cannabis culture, history, and its potential for equity and economic growth, cementing her status as a thought leader in the industry. Find out more about JB Balbuena here.
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