How One Founder Changed Cannabis Access For Terminally Ill Patients

Relief comes in many forms for the thousands of terminally ill patients in California hospitals.

But until recently, one form of relief was off-limits, no matter how effective it can be: medical cannabis. Even in a state that pioneered cannabis reform, hospital policies clung to outdated restrictions, forcing patients to rely on opioids despite their harsh side effects.

That changed in January 2022 with the passage of Ryan’s Law (Senate Bill 311), formally known as the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis in Health Care Facilities Act. This groundbreaking policy grants terminally ill patients the right to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities. Behind this law was Jim Bartell, a father who watched his son suffer through the final days of his battle with cancer—fighting pain, nausea, and the numbing grip of prescription drugs.

What began as a deeply personal loss became a movement. This is the story of how Jim Bartell turned personal tragedy into a foundation and life-changing legislation for terminally ill patients in California. 

On September 28, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Senate Bill 311—better known as Ryan’s Law—into law. It officially took effect on January 1, 2022, marking a major shift in how terminally ill patients can manage their pain and symptoms in healthcare facilities.

Ryan’s Law enforces certain healthcare facilities to allow terminally ill patients access to medicinal cannabis. While there are certain conditions, the fact of the matter is life-changing for terminally ill patients seeking relief during their final moments.

That was the case for Ryan Bartell, whom the law was named after. Diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, he endured the harsh reality of opioid treatment—drowsiness, nausea, and a diminished quality of life in his final days. His father, Jim Bartell, refused to accept that fate for others. What began as a son’s struggle became a father’s mission, leading to legislation that now offers comfort and dignity to patients across California.

By the time Ryan Bartell received his devastating diagnosis—stage 4 pancreatic cancer—he was already well into adulthood, with just weeks left to live.

Ryan had dedicated his life to working in special education, primarily with autistic children. When faced with the reality of his prognosis, he knew one thing for certain: he didn’t want to spend his final days in a medicated fog, dulled by opioids like morphine and fentanyl.

His father, Jim Bartell, was determined to honor that wish. Refusing to accept that sedation was Ryan’s only option, he sought help from Heather Manus (RN) and Ken Sobel, co-founders of the Cannabis Nurse Network. Together, they explored alternative solutions and found a cannabis-based regimen that could provide relief without robbing Ryan of his awareness.

But securing that treatment was another battle entirely.

Under federal law, cannabis remains a Schedule I substance, and the hospital where Ryan was receiving care wouldn’t budge.  From funding concerns to legal restrictions, the hospital was unwilling to allow medical cannabis as part of his treatment plan.

Jim wasn’t ready to take no for an answer. Looking north, he found a Washington hospital that took a different stance—one that prioritized patient comfort over outdated policies. Unlike their California counterparts, they welcomed Ryan’s medical cannabis use with minimal resistance.

The transition was seamless. Jim provided the medicinal cannabis, the hospital staff stored it, and they demonstrated how Ryan could take it safely. This allowed Ryan to spend his last few weeks pain-free, awake, and reaching out to friends. Even as his condition worsened, making it impossible to swallow, doctors quickly adapted—swapping edibles for a fast-acting oral spray that provided relief without sedation.

After an initial 2019 veto by Governor Gavin Newsom, the fight for Ryan’s Law continued. Advocates and legislators pushed forward, reintroducing the bill until, finally, on September 28, 2021, it was signed into law.

Ryan Bartell passed away at 41 years old, but his legacy lives on. His story ignited a movement—one that continues to shape the future of compassionate care for terminally ill patients across California and beyond.

There are certain conditions to Ryan’s Law regarding the use of medical cannabis in healthcare facilities.

If you’re wondering, “Is weed used in hospitals?” let’s get one thing clear. They’re not letting terminally ill patients smoke a joint right in the hospital room. There are still many safety precautions to consider for the individual, staff, and other patients alike.

1) Terminally ill patients must have a valid medical cannabis card or physician’s recommendation.

2) They can only use non-smokeable forms of cannabis, and that doesn’t include vaping.

3) The law applies to the following healthcare facilities: General acute care hospitals, special hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, congregate living health facilities, and hospice providers.

4) Patients or their caregivers are responsible for getting, storing, administering, and removing cannabis from the premises.

Essentially, terminally ill patients with a valid medical marijuana card can use edible or sublingual forms of cannabis in many California healthcare facilities but must obtain, store, administer, and remove it themselves (or their caregiver).

For most California hospitals and healthcare facilities, implementing Ryan’s Law has been a balancing act. While the law allows terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis, hospitals still operate under federal oversight, where cannabis remains illegal.

The good news? Many hospitals are stepping up, crafting comprehensive written policies to ensure their staff understand how medical cannabis can be used within their facilities. This is crucial—not just for patient care, but because education around medical cannabis in healthcare remains shockingly limited.

A recent survey revealed that only 13% of healthcare professionals feel knowledgeable about medical cannabis, and a 2023 study found that just 3.2% of physicians had experience prescribing or recommending it. With such gaps in knowledge, clear guidelines are essential to ensure patients receive safe and informed care.

Now, here’s where it gets sticky. Hospitals can opt out of Ryan’s Law under certain conditions, particularly if federal agencies intervene. A hospital is legally allowed to stop following Ryan’s Law if:

• A federal agency takes action against the hospital for permitting cannabis use
• A new federal regulation explicitly bans medical cannabis in healthcare facilities
• A federal directive prohibits hospitals from complying with state medical cannabis programs

Essentially, it all comes down to federal law. Hospitals have to balance allowing medical cannabis use for terminally ill patients while also protecting themselves from federal issues.