House lawmakers on Wednesday, March 3, voted 58 – 40 in favor of an amended version of Senate Bill 5798, which would expand the state’s nearly twelve-year-old medical marijuana law.
Because the House made minor amendments to the bill, it now must be re-approved by the Senate — who previously had 37 to 11 in favor of the bill in February.
If enacted, SB 5798 will allow additional health care professionals – including naturopaths, physician’s assistants, osteopathic physicians, and advanced registered nurse practitioners – to legally recommend marijuana therapy to their patients. Under present law, only licensed physicians may legally recommend medicinal cannabis.
According to press reports, Gov. Chris Gregoire has not yet expressed an opinion on the bill.
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Link: BREAKING NEWS: Washington State Senate, House Vote to Expand Medical Marijuana Law
State Senate Bill 5798 was just passed at 4:00 March 11, 2010