Washington Bill Makes Medical Marijuana More Available

Physicians’ assistants, nurse practitioners and naturopathic physicians would join doctors in being able to prescribe marijuana for medical use under a bill that’s close to becoming law in Washington state, the Seattle Times reported March 4.

The bill, S-5798, passed the state Senate and then the House, and after the Senate considers a pair of House amendments the measure could be headed to Gov. Chris Gregoire for consideration.

Sponsor Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles said the change to the state’s medical-marijuana law was needed because “especially in rural areas in the state and away from Puget Sound, because of long distances, many people do not see M.D.s. They see nurse practitioners and physicians assistants who have prescriptive authority.”