Originally passed in California in 2021, Ryan’s Law, marked a historic shift in medical cannabis access for terminally ill patients within healthcare settings. Ryan Bartel, who died from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, was the U.S. Coast Guard veteran after whom the law was named, inspired by Ryan’s experience in hospice opting to replace heavy opioids with cannabis during his final weeks of life. Jim Bartel, Ryan’s father, honored that request then spearheaded legislation so other people could have that same right.

In 2025, Rhode Island along with Oregon introduced H 5630 and HB 3214, respectively, as their own versions of Ryan’s Law. These states joined into a growing coalition reconsidering the ethical and effective use of plant medicine in end-of-life care. Bartel says “at least six other states are drafting similar bills. Policy reviews in another half-dozen states are being conducted as well.”

This segment explores the emotional, legislative, and medical impact of Ryan’s Law and what it signals for the future of medical cannabis in compassionate care. As more lawmakers move from ideological resistance to practical policy solutions, the national conversation continues to shift.