Expands the definition of "debilitating medical condition" for the medical use of marijuana.

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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
A-Engrossed
House Bill 3214
Ordered by the House April 16
Including House Amendments dated April 16
Sponsored by Representatives CHAICHI, TRAN; Representatives DIEHL, HUDSON, JAVADI, LIVELY, MCLAIN,
NELSON (Presession filed.)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject
to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the
measure. The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards.
Digest: The Act says that some entities have to write a policy and teach their staff about the
medical use of marijuana. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.6).
Expands the definition of “debilitating medical condition” for the medical use of marijuana. Re-
quires an organization or residential facility that is designated as an additional caregiver for a
medical marijuana cardholder to create and maintain a written policy and provide education to staff
regarding the medical use of marijuana. Exempts hospitals and hospital-affiliated clinics from
the requirements. Requires an organization or residential facility to create the written policy
not later than June 30, 2026, and make education available to staff not later than December
31, 2026.
Protects an organization or residential facility and its employees and contractors from certain
criminal liability related to the medical use of marijuana. Prohibits the Oregon State Board of
Nursing from taking disciplinary action against a nurse for discussing the medical use of marijuana
with a patient.
Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to marijuana for medical use; creating new provisions; amending ORS 475C.770, 475C.777,
475C.791, 475C.792, 475C.883 and 475C.916; and prescribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
Sections 2 and 3 of this 2025 Act are added to and made a part of ORS
475C.770 to 475C.919.
SECTION 2. Section 3 of this 2025 Act shall be known and may be cited as Ryan’s Law.
SECTION 3. (1) An organization or residential facility designated under ORS 475C.791
shall:
(a) Allow a patient or resident of the organization or residential facility to engage in the
medical use of marijuana on the premises of the organization or residential facility.
(b) Create and maintain a written policy regarding the procurement, on-site storage, ad-
ministration and disposal of marijuana and medical cannabinoid products that:
(A) Defines clear protocols for acquiring and handling marijuana and medical cannabinoid
products;
(B) Addresses patient safety by ensuring the proper storage and accurate administration
of marijuana and medical cannabinoid products; and
(C) Establishes procedures for the responsible disposal of unused marijuana and medical
cannabinoid products.
(c) Provide virtual or in-person education to staff of the organization or residential fa-
NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [ italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted.
New sections are in boldfaced type.
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cility that covers at least:
(A) Cannabis pharmacology and the use of marijuana and medical cannabinoid products
in treating medical conditions;
(B) Dosing strategies and delivery modalities, including cannabinoid edibles, cannabinoid
extracts and the vaporization of cannabinoids; and
(C) Identifying potential contraindications for the use of marijuana and medical
cannabinoid products and potential drug interactions.
(2) The requirements of this section do not apply to a home health agency, as defined in
ORS 443.014, or a home hospice program, as defined in ORS 443.850, that provides for the
delivery of home health care services, as defined in ORS 654.412, in a home health care set-
ting.
SECTION 4.
ORS 475C.770 is amended to read:
475C.770. The people of the State of Oregon find that:
(1) Patients and [doctors] attending providers have found marijuana to be an effective treat-
ment for suffering caused by debilitating medical conditions and, therefore, marijuana must be
treated like other medicines;
(2) Oregonians suffering from debilitating medical conditions should be allowed to use marijuana
without fear of civil or criminal penalties when [ a doctor ] an attending provider advises that using
marijuana may provide a medical benefit and when other reasonable restrictions are met regarding
that use;
(3) ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919 are intended to allow Oregonians with debilitating medical condi-
tions who may benefit from the medical use of marijuana to be able to freely discuss with [ doctors]
attending providers the possible risks and benefits associated with the medical use of marijuana
and to have the benefit of professional medical advice; and
(4) ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919 are intended to protect patients and [ doctors] attending providers
from criminal and civil penalties and are not intended to change current civil and criminal laws
governing the use of marijuana for nonmedical purposes.
SECTION 5.
ORS 475C.777, as amended by section 105, chapter 73, Oregon Laws 2024, is
amended to read:
475C.777. As used in ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919:
(1) “Attending provider” means one of the following health care providers who has primary re-
sponsibility for the care and treatment of a person diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition:
(a) A physician licensed under ORS chapter 677;
(b) A physician associate licensed under ORS 677.505 to 677.525;
(c) A nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 to 678.390;
(d) A clinical nurse specialist licensed under ORS 678.370 and 678.372;
(e) A certified registered nurse anesthetist as defined in ORS 678.010; or
(f) A naturopathic physician licensed under ORS chapter 685.
(2) “Cannabinoid” means any of the chemical compounds that are the active constituents of
marijuana.
(3) “Cannabinoid concentrate” means a substance obtained by separating cannabinoids from
marijuana by:
(a) A mechanical extraction process;
(b) A chemical extraction process using a nonhydrocarbon-based solvent, such as vegetable
glycerin, vegetable oils, animal fats, isopropyl alcohol or ethanol;
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(c) A chemical extraction process using the hydrocarbon-based solvent carbon dioxide, provided
that the process does not involve the use of high heat or pressure; or
(d) Any other process identified by the Oregon Health Authority, in consultation with the
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, by rule.
(4) “Cannabinoid edible” means food or potable liquid into which a cannabinoid concentrate,
cannabinoid extract or dried leaves or flowers of marijuana have been incorporated.
(5) “Cannabinoid extract” means a substance obtained by separating cannabinoids from
marijuana by:
(a) A chemical extraction process using a hydrocarbon-based solvent, such as butane, hexane
or propane;
(b) A chemical extraction process using the hydrocarbon-based solvent carbon dioxide, if the
process uses high heat or pressure; or
(c) Any other process identified by the Oregon Health Authority, in consultation with the
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, by rule.
(6) “Debilitating medical condition” means:
(a) Cancer, glaucoma, a degenerative or pervasive neurological condition, positive status for
human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or a side effect related to
the treatment of those medical conditions;
(b) A medical condition or treatment for a medical condition that produces, for a specific pa-
tient, one or more of the following:
(A) Cachexia;
(B) Severe pain;
(C) Severe nausea;
(D) Seizures, including seizures caused by epilepsy; or
(E) Persistent muscle spasms, including spasms caused by multiple sclerosis;
(c) Post-traumatic stress disorder; [or]
(d) The need for hospice, palliative care, comfort care or other symptom management,
including comprehensive pain management; or
[(d)] (e) Any other medical condition or side effect related to the treatment of a medical condi-
tion adopted by the Oregon Health Authority by rule or approved by the authority pursuant to a
petition filed under ORS 475C.913.
(7)(a) “Delivery” has the meaning given that term in ORS 475.005.
(b) “Delivery” does not include transfer of marijuana by a registry identification cardholder to
another registry identification cardholder if no consideration is paid for the transfer.
(8)(a) “Designated primary caregiver” means an individual:
(A) Who is 18 years of age or older;
(B) Who has significant responsibility for managing the well-being of a person who has been
diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition; and
(C) Who is designated as the person responsible for managing the well-being of a person who
has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition on that person’s application for a registry
identification card or in other written notification submitted to the authority.
(b) “Designated primary caregiver” does not include a person’s attending provider.
(9) “High heat” means a temperature exceeding 180 degrees.
(10) “Immature marijuana plant” means a marijuana plant that is not flowering.
(11)(a) “Marijuana” means the plant Cannabis family Cannabaceae, any part of the plant
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Cannabis family Cannabaceae and the seeds of the plant Cannabis family Cannabaceae.
(b) “Marijuana” does not include:
(A) Industrial hemp, as defined in ORS 571.269; or
(B) Prescription drugs, as that term is defined in ORS 689.005, including those containing one
or more cannabinoids, that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and
dispensed by a pharmacy, as defined in ORS 689.005.
(12) “Marijuana grow site” means a location registered under ORS 475C.792 where marijuana
is produced for use by a registry identification cardholder.
(13) “Marijuana processing site” means a marijuana processing site registered under ORS
475C.815 or a site for which an applicant has submitted an application for registration under ORS
475C.815.
(14) “Mature marijuana plant” means a marijuana plant that is not an immature marijuana
plant.
(15)(a) “Medical cannabinoid product” means a cannabinoid edible and any other product in-
tended for human consumption or use, including a product intended to be applied to a person’s skin
or hair, that contains cannabinoids or dried leaves or flowers of marijuana.
(b) “Medical cannabinoid product” does not include:
(A) Usable marijuana by itself;
(B) A cannabinoid concentrate by itself;
(C) A cannabinoid extract by itself; or
(D) Industrial hemp, as defined in ORS 571.269.
(16) “Medical marijuana dispensary” means a medical marijuana dispensary registered under
ORS 475C.833 or a site for which an applicant has submitted an application for registration under
ORS 475C.833.
(17) “Medical use of marijuana” means the production, processing, possession, delivery or ad-
ministration of marijuana, or use of paraphernalia used to administer marijuana, to mitigate the
symptoms or effects of a debilitating medical condition.
(18) “Person designated to produce marijuana by a registry identification cardholder” means a
person designated to produce marijuana by a registry identification cardholder under ORS 475C.792
who produces marijuana for a registry identification cardholder at an address other than the address
where the registry identification cardholder resides or at an address where more than 12 mature
marijuana plants are produced.
(19) “Process” means the compounding or conversion of marijuana into medical cannabinoid
products, cannabinoid concentrates or cannabinoid extracts.
(20) “Production” means:
(a) Planting, cultivating, growing, trimming or harvesting marijuana; or
(b) Drying marijuana leaves or flowers.
(21) “Registry identification card” means a document issued by the Oregon Health Authority
under ORS 475C.783 that identifies a person authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana
and, if the person has a designated primary caregiver under ORS 475C.789, the person’s designated
primary caregiver.
(22) “Registry identification cardholder” means a person to whom a registry identification card
has been issued under ORS 475C.783.
(23)(a) “Usable marijuana” means the dried leaves and flowers of marijuana.
(b) “Usable marijuana” does not include:
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(A) The seeds, stalks and roots of marijuana; or
(B) Waste material that is a by-product of producing marijuana.
(24) “Written documentation” means a statement signed by the attending provider of a person
diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition or copies of the person’s relevant medical records.
SECTION 6.
ORS 475C.791 is amended to read:
475C.791. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 475C.789, an organization that provides hospice, palliative
or home health care services, or a residential facility as defined in ORS 443.400, that has significant
responsibility for managing the well-being of a person who has been diagnosed with a debilitating
medical condition may be designated, in addition to an individual designated pursuant to ORS
475C.789, as an additional caregiver for a registry identification cardholder in the same manner that
an individual is designated as the primary caregiver for a registry identification cardholder under
ORS 475C.789.
(2) An organization or residential facility that is designated under this section has all the duties,
functions and powers of a designated primary caregiver as prescribed by ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919
or a rule adopted under ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919.
(3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, an organization or residen-
tial facility designated under this section shall comply with the requirements of section 3 of
this 2025 Act.
(b) A hospital, as defined in ORS 442.015, or a hospital-affiliated clinic, as defined in ORS
442.612, that is designated under this section is not subject to the requirements of section 3
of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 7. ORS 475C.792 is amended to read:
475C.792. (1)(a) The Oregon Health Authority shall establish by rule a marijuana grow site
registration system to track and regulate the production of marijuana by a registry identification
cardholder or a person designated by the registry identification cardholder to produce marijuana for
the registry identification cardholder.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, a person may not produce marijuana
unless the person is registered under this section.
(c) Paragraph (b) of this subsection does not apply to the production of marijuana as provided
in ORS 475C.005 to 475C.525 or as otherwise provided for by the statutory laws of this state.
(2) Rules adopted under this section must require an applicant for a registry identification card,
or a registry identification cardholder who produces marijuana or who designates another person
to produce marijuana, to submit an application to the authority containing the following information
at the time of making an application under ORS 475C.783 (2), renewing a registry identification card
under ORS 475C.783 (6)(b), or notifying the authority of a change under ORS 475C.783 (6)(a):
(a) The name of the person responsible for the marijuana grow site;
(b) Proof that the person is 21 years of age or older;
(c) If the registry identification cardholder or the person responsible for the marijuana grow site
is not the owner of the premises of the marijuana grow site, signed informed consent from the owner
of the premises to register the premises as a marijuana grow site;
(d) The address of the marijuana grow site; and
(e) Any other information that the authority considers necessary to track the production of
marijuana under ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919.
(3)(a) The authority shall conduct a criminal records check under ORS 181A.195 of any person
whose name is submitted under this section as the person responsible for a marijuana grow site.
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(b) A person convicted of a Class A or Class B felony under ORS 475.752 to 475.920 for the
manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in Schedule I or Schedule II may not act as or
be designated a person responsible for a marijuana grow site for two years from the date of con-
viction.
(c) A person convicted more than once of a Class A or Class B felony under ORS 475.752 to
475.920 for the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in Schedule I or Schedule II may
not act as or be designated a person responsible for a marijuana grow site.
(4) Subject to subsection (11) of this section, the authority shall issue a marijuana grow site
registration card if the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section are met.
(5) A person who holds a marijuana grow site registration card under this section must display
the card at the marijuana grow site at all times.
(6) A marijuana grow site registration card must be obtained and posted for each registry
identification cardholder for whom marijuana is being produced at a marijuana grow site.
(7)(a) All seeds, immature marijuana plants, mature marijuana plants and usable marijuana as-
sociated with the production of marijuana for a registry identification cardholder by a person re-
sponsible for a marijuana grow site are the property of the registry identification cardholder.
(b) All seeds, immature marijuana plants, mature marijuana plants and usable marijuana asso-
ciated with the production of marijuana for a registry identification cardholder by a person re-
sponsible for a marijuana grow site must be transferred to the registry identification cardholder
upon the request of the registry identification cardholder.
(c) All usable marijuana associated with the production of marijuana for a registry identification
cardholder by a person responsible for a marijuana grow site must be transferred to a marijuana
processing site upon the request of the registry identification cardholder. For purposes of this par-
agraph, a request to transfer usable marijuana constitutes an assignment of the right to possess the
usable marijuana.
(d) All seeds, immature marijuana plants and usable marijuana associated with the production
of marijuana for a registry identification cardholder by a person responsible for a marijuana grow
site must be transferred to a medical marijuana dispensary upon request of the registry identifica-
tion cardholder. For purposes of this paragraph, a request to transfer seeds, immature marijuana
plants or usable marijuana constitutes an assignment of the right to possess the seeds, immature
marijuana plants or usable marijuana.
(e) Information related to transfers made under this subsection must be submitted to the au-
thority in the manner required by ORS 475C.795.
(8) A registry identification cardholder, or the designated primary caregiver of a registry
identification cardholder, may reimburse a person responsible for a marijuana grow site for all costs
associated with the production of marijuana for the registry identification cardholder.
(9) The authority may inspect:
(a) The marijuana grow site of a person designated to produce marijuana by a registry identifi-
cation cardholder to ensure compliance with this section and ORS 475C.795 and 475C.806 and any
rule adopted under this section and ORS 475C.795 and 475C.806; and
(b) The records of the marijuana grow site of a person designated to produce marijuana by a
registry identification cardholder to ensure compliance with this section and ORS 475C.795 and any
rule adopted under this section and ORS 475C.795.
(10) The authority may refuse to register a registry identification cardholder or a designee under
this section or may suspend or revoke the registration of a person responsible for a marijuana grow
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site if the authority determines that the applicant or the person responsible for a marijuana grow
site violated a provision of ORS 475C.770 to 475C.919, a rule adopted under ORS 475C.770 to
475C.919 or an ordinance adopted pursuant to ORS 475C.827.
(11) The authority may require a person responsible for a marijuana grow site, prior to issuing
a marijuana grow site registration card under subsection (4) of this section, to pay a fee reasonably
calculated to pay costs incurred under this section and ORS 475C.795 and 475C.856.
SECTION 8.
ORS 475C.883 is amended to read:
475C.883. Except as provided in ORS 475C.886, a person , or an organization or residential
facility described in ORS 475C.791, engaged in or assisting in the medical use of marijuana is ex-
empt from the criminal laws of this state for possession, delivery or manufacture of marijuana, aid-
ing and abetting another in the possession, delivery or manufacture of marijuana, or any other
criminal offense in which possession, delivery or manufacture of marijuana is an element if:
(1) The person holds a registry identification card.
(2) The person has applied for a registry identification card under ORS 475C.783 and the person
has proof of written documentation described in ORS 475C.783 (2)(a) and proof of the date on which
the person submitted the application to the Oregon Health Authority. An exemption under this
subsection applies only until the authority approves or denies the application.
(3)(a) The person is designated as a primary caregiver under ORS 475C.789.
(b) The organization or residential facility is designated as a primary caregiver under
ORS 475C.791, or the person is employed by or has been contracted with an organization or
residential facility that is designated as a primary caregiver under ORS 475C.791.
(4) The person is responsible for or is employed by a marijuana grow site registered under ORS
475C.792.
(5) The person owns, is responsible for, or is employed by, a marijuana processing site.
(6) The person owns, is responsible for, or is employed by, a medical marijuana dispensary.
SECTION 9.
ORS 475C.916 is amended to read:
475C.916. A nurse licensed under ORS 678.040 to 678.101 may discuss the medical use of
marijuana with a person with whom the nurse has a patient-provider relationship. The Oregon
State Board of Nursing may not impose a civil penalty or take other disciplinary action
against a nurse who engages in a discussion as described in this section.
SECTION 10. (1) Prior to the operative date specified in section 11 of this 2025 Act, the
Oregon Health Authority may conditionally designate an organization or residential facility
described in ORS 475C.791 as an additional caregiver.
(2) An organization or residential facility described in ORS 475C.791 or conditionally des-
ignated under subsection (1) of this section shall:
(a) Create the written policy required under section 3 of this 2025 Act not later than June
30, 2026; and
(b) Make available to staff the education required under section 3 of this 2025 Act not
later than December 31, 2026.
(3) If an organization or residential facility described in ORS 475C.791 or conditionally
designated under subsection (1) of this section does not meet the requirements of subsection
(2) of this section, the authority shall remove the designation from the organization or res-
idential facility.
SECTION 11. (1) Sections 2 and 3 of this 2025 Act and the amendments to ORS 475C.770,
475C.777, 475C.791, 475C.792, 475C.883 and 475C.916 by sections 4 to 9 of this 2025 Act become
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operative on January 1, 2026.
(2) The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon State Board of Nursing may take any
action before the operative date specified in subsection (1) of this section that is necessary
to enable the authority and the board to exercise, on and after the operative date specified
in subsection (1) of this section, all of the duties, functions and powers conferred on the
authority and the board by sections 2 and 3 of this 2025 Act and the amendments to ORS
475C.770, 475C.777, 475C.791, 475C.792, 475C.883 and 475C.916 by sections 4 to 9 of this 2025 Act.
SECTION 12.
This 2025 Act takes effect on the 91st day after the date on which the 2025
regular session of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die.
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