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SB 226DELAWARESession 153State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Delaware requires health care facilities to allow medical marijuana use for terminally ill patients under specific conditions

Original title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

Last action · May 21, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Marie Pinkney and 14 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Delaware law now requires health care facilities to permit terminally ill patients holding a valid medical marijuana to use medical marijuana on the premises, subject to specific clinical and federal regulatory exceptions.

Why it matters

Terminally ill patients gain legal access to medical marijuana within institutional health care settings, while staff and facilities receive liability protections unless gross negligence or intentional misconduct occurs.

Background

State legislatures have increasingly considered bills allowing medical marijuana use inside institutional health care settings, often modeled after California's 2021 enactment known as Ryan's Law. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

terminally ill patients

Terminally ill medical marijuana cardholders gain the right to use medical marijuana on the premises of health care facilities under specified conditions.

Directly affected

health care facilities

Health care facilities must permit medical marijuana use for eligible terminally ill patients unless specific clinical or federal enforcement exceptions apply.

Directly affected

medical professionals

Medical professionals evaluate whether a patient's use of medical marijuana may have an adverse impact on medical care and treatment.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which patients are eligible to use medical marijuana in health care facilities under this law?

Patients who have been issued and possess a valid for the medical use of marijuana and who have a terminal illness are eligible.

Can a health care facility ever ban patients from using medical marijuana on its premises?

Yes. Facilities may prohibit or suspend use if their medical professionals determine it would have an adverse impact on care, or if federal agencies like the Department of Justice or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services initiate enforcement actions or issue prohibitory rules.

Are health care workers or facilities protected from legal liability for following this law?

Yes, individuals are protected from civil and criminal liability and professional discipline for complying with the Act, unless their actions involve gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

9 actions

May 21, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Signed by Governor
Apr 16, 2026HouseFloor
Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENT
Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 3 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits
Mar 17, 2026HouseIntroduced
Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
Mar 12, 2026SenateFloor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee
Amendment SA 1 to SB 226 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

Show 3 earlier actions

Mar 11, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
Mar 10, 2026SenateCommittee
Amendment SA 1 to SB 226 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Jan 15, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

Version history

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