Medicinal cannabis: shipments.

Assembly Member Ahrens proposes expanding access to medicinal cannabis through legislation authorizing licensed microbusinesses to ship products directly to patients who lack local retail options. The bill creates a framework for microbusinesses with medicinal licenses encompassing manufacturing, distribution and outdoor cultivation to deliver specialized cannabis products to qualified patients living more than 60 miles from a dispensary.

The measure establishes strict parameters around eligible products and shipping protocols. Permitted items include tinctures, topicals, suppositories and outdoor-grown flower, while explicitly prohibiting vape products, edibles, concentrates and indoor-grown cannabis. Microbusinesses must verify physician recommendations, obtain advance payment, require adult signatures upon delivery, and maintain detailed records in the state's track-and-trace system. Individual shipments cannot exceed existing possession limits.

To ensure consistent patient access statewide, the bill prevents local jurisdictions from adopting regulations that would effectively prohibit medicinal cannabis shipments into their areas. The legislation authorizes enforcement actions by patients, caregivers, cannabis businesses and the Attorney General if localities impose improper restrictions. These provisions would sunset on January 1, 2029, unless extended by future legislation.

The bill's findings cite an estimated 4,000 patients with severe conditions like intractable epilepsy, autism, cancer and multiple sclerosis who struggle to obtain specialized medicinal products through existing retail channels. By enabling direct shipment of certain cannabis medicines while maintaining strict oversight, the measure aims to address access barriers for this limited patient population.