An Act To Ensure Access to Medical Cannabis for Visiting Qualifying Patients
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0538
Committee Amendment CA_A_H347 (House)
Amends: 22 MRSA §2423-D

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "!J .. to H.P. 395, L.D. 538, Bill, "An Act To 
Ensure Access to Medical Cannabis for Visiting Qualifying Patients" 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the 
following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the requirement in current law that visiting qualifying patients must 
obtain a written certification from their own medical providers that meets the 
qualifications of Maine law is complicated and onerous; and 
Whereas, the summer tourism season, during which visiting qualifying patients will 
need access to marijuana for medical use in this State, is quickly approaching; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 1 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2423-D, as amended by PL 2017, c. 452, §7, is further 
amended to read: 
§2423-D. Authorized conduct by a visiting qualifying patient 
A visiting qualifying patient from another jurisdiction that authorizes the medical use 
of marijuana pursuant to a law recognized by the department who possesses a valid 
vtritten certification as described in. section 2423 B from the visiting qaalifying patient's 
medical provider and a valid medical marijuana certification from that other jurisdiction 
and photographic identification or a driver's license from that jurisdiction may engage in 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 395, L.D. 538 
conduct authorized for a qualifying patient under this chapter, except that a visiting 
qualifying patient may not: 
1. Cultivate. Cultivate marijuana plants; 
2. Possess. Possess more than 2 1/2 ounces of harvested marijuana in a 15-day 
period; or 
3. Transfer or furnish. Transfer or furnish harvested marijuana to another persont:.,_ 
4. Obtain. Obtain harvested marijHana from a registered caregiver or dispeasary 
lll'lless the visitiag qHalifyiag patient has designated the registered caregiver or dispoosary 
in order to have that caregiver or dispeasary provide harvested marijllana to the visitiag 
qHalifying patient. A designation purSHant to this subsection mHst be in a standardized 
written document, developed by the department, aad signed and dated by the visiting 
qHa-lifying patient. The designation is valid for the term pro,,rided by the visiting 
qHa-lifying patient's medica-1 provider pursuant to section 2423 B. The document mllst 
include the signed acknov,rledgmeHt of the registered caregiver or dispensary that the 
caregiver or dispensary may be contacted to confirm the designation of the caregiver or 
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The department shall maintain a list of other jurisdictions that authorize the medical 
use of marijuana and the images of the valid medical marijuana certifications from those 
jurisdictions and make that information available to registered caregivers and registered 
dispensaries.' 
Amend the bill by adding before the summary the following: 
'Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the unanimous report of the committee, adds an 
emergency preamble and emergency clause to the bill. It removes the requirement that a 
visiting qualifying patient obtain valid written certification pursuant to Maine law from 
the visiting patient's medical provider. It also directs the Department of Administrative 
and Financial Services to maintain a list of other jurisdictions that authorize the medical 
use of marijuana and the images of the valid medical marijuana certifications from those 
jurisdictions and make that information available to registered caregivers and registered 
dispensaries. 
hSCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
<?, 
Approved: 05/17/19 fe'ac 
LD 538 
LR 1506(02) 
An Act To Ensure Access to Medical Cannabis for Visiting Qualifying Patients 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,,j), {µ-JV i) 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to implement the provisions of this 
bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1506(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1 
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