-
1
-
2
-
1
-
2
Clearpol's Opinion of this Guidance as of 01/18/2023
CDPH has chaptered SB 988, effective 1/1/23, clarifying the role and requirements of GACHs, SHs , SNFs, CLHFs, and HOFAs and staff when terminally ill patients access medicinal cannabis. SB 311 (2021) established the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act requiring health care facilities to allow terminally ill patients to access medicinal cannabis under specified conditions.
SB 988 makes explicit that the patient or primary caregiver is responsible for acquiring, retrieving, administering, and removing the medicinal cannabis and that health care professionals and facility staff are prohibited from administering medicinal cannabis or retrieving it from storage. It removes a requirement for health care facilities permitting use of medicinal cannabis to comply with drug and medication requirements applicable to Schedule II, III, and IV drugs and instead updates the requirements for storage to specify that it must be stored securely at all times, in a locked container in the patient's room, other designated area or with the patient's primary caregiver.
It also requires health care facilities to adopt guidelines for disposal of medicinal cannabis. Upon discharge, patients or primary caregivers will be responsible for the removal of the medicinal cannabis. However, if they are unable to remove the medicinal cannabis, the product must be disposed of according to the health care facility's policies and procedures.
Clearpol Inc. does not make any guarantees regarding the accuracy of the opinions provided on our platform. Please use your own judgement.
Clearpol's Summary of this Guidance

The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) clarifying the role and requirements of healthcare facilities and staff when terminally ill patients access medicinal cannabis. Effective January 1, 2023, the AFL specifies that patients or primary caregivers are responsible for acquiring, retrieving, administering, and removing the medicinal cannabis, while healthcare professionals and facility staff are prohibited from administering or retrieving it from storage. The letter also updates storage requirements, stating that medicinal cannabis must be stored securely in a locked container in the patient's room, another designated area, or with the patient's primary caregiver. Additionally, healthcare facilities are required to adopt guidelines for the disposal of medicinal cannabis, with patients or primary caregivers responsible for removal upon discharge. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in consequences for the healthcare facilities.
Clearpol Inc. does not make any guarantees regarding the accuracy of the opinions or summaries provided on our platform. Please use your own judgement.
You have 0 new tasks available
Below are AI generated tasks related to this document. Accept or deny a task.
Task | Deadline | Actions |
---|
No suggested tasks available at the moment!
AI generated tasks related to this document are shown here. Tasks may be coming soon or you may have accepted/denied all the available tasks for this document.
The document is ready to print
Click below to print the document in a new window. When finished, you can return to this tab to continue.
Print PDF
Copy Document Link
Please enter a Name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter a first name.
Please enter a last name.
Please enter a valid email address.