Medical marijuana advocates made great strides in 2022. Thanks to their efforts and the willingness of state lawmakers to expand medical marijuana access, more patients are enjoying easier access to therapies that are arguably changing their lives in ways that proved impossible with other therapies.

As we look forward to turning the page in 2022, let us look back on some of the most noteworthy changes put in place this year. Not only are the changes themselves noteworthy, but some of them are even more so due to the states that enacted them. So without further ado, let’s get started. Note that you can get further details about all the changes below, and more, by reading this report from NORML.

Access Expansion in California

California state law gives municipalities the freedom to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders. However, lawmakers introduced a new law in 2022 that limits that freedom when it comes to delivery. Municipalities can no longer prevent medical marijuana providers operating outside their borders from delivering products to customers inside.

The change was intended to provide easier access among patients who qualify for medical marijuana but do not have a local pharmacy they can visit. Prior to the law, patients would have to travel to other towns or neighboring suburbs to buy marijuana.

Two Big Changes in Utah

Among the big surprises this year are two changes enacted in Utah. According to Utahmarijuana.org, the Beehive State has one of the more restrictive medical marijuana laws in the country. State lawmakers want to maintain tight control while still giving patients access.

Utah enacted two changes huge in 2022, the first being legislation that added acute pain to the state’s qualifying conditions list. Patients expecting to experience acute pain for more than two weeks – as a result of surgery, for example – can now apply for a medical marijuana card if their doctors agree that opioid medications would otherwise be prescribed.

The other big change is a law that prohibits state employers from discriminating against medical marijuana users. As long as a worker’s medical marijuana consumption does not interfere with the ability to work safely and productively, state employers must treat it just as they would the use of any other prescription drug.

Two Big Changes in Louisiana

Louisiana also implemented two pretty substantial changes. The first involves giving qualified nurse practitioners (NPs) the legal authority to recommend medical marijuana in the state. Indeed, that might be the biggest medical marijuana change of the year. Let’s hope it sets a precedent. Giving NPs the same authority nationwide would make it a lot easier for patients to obtain their cards.

Next up is Louisiana’s decision to make medical marijuana available to out-of-state visitors suffering with certain qualified conditions. Out-of-state visitors who qualify under the new law can now walk into Louisiana medical marijuana pharmacies and purchase their medications just as if they were still at home.

Self-Certification in Washington, DC

Finally, local lawmakers in Washington DC have given the green light to adults over the age of 21 self-certifying as medical marijuana users, without the need for a doctor’s recommendation. The new law applies to both residents and out-of-town visitors.

It is clear that lawmakers from coast-to-coast are getting on board with medical cannabis to a larger degree. Not only are state restrictions being relaxed, but lawmakers seem more open to strengthening legal protections for medical marijuana users. It is all shaping up to be very good for patients over the long term. As we look forward to 2023, who knows what other changes we’ll see?