OLYMPIA — People with terminal or debilitating diseases will now be able to more easily obtain medical marijuana under a measure passed today in the state Senate.

            “Washington has a long history of supporting medical marijuana. Senate Bill 5798 only strengthens our laws so those who need medical marijuana most can have access to it,” Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, said.

            In 1998, voters approved I-692 to allow limited medical use of marijuana by patients with terminal or debilitating illnesses. In 2007, the Legislature provided legal protections for doctors who worked with patients seeking medical marijuana for treatment.

Senate Bill 5798 extends these protections to other qualified, licensed health professions. These professionals include osteopathic physicians, physician assistants and osteopathic physician assistants, naturopathic doctors and nurse practitioners.

            “Patients in rural parts of our state don’t have the same access to licensed physicians as those in urban areas. By extending protections to other medical professions, we provide greater access to medical marijuana to the patients in need.”

            The measure passed the Senate 37 to 11 and now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives.