Blog · Jul 14, 2026

Ryan's Law: Why It Hits Close to Home at Best Buds

In the cannabis industry, we spend a massive amount of time navigating endless red tape, managing compliance assets, and keeping up with regulations from a multitude of government agencies. It can be exhausting. But every now and then, we are reminded of exactly why we push through these bureaucratic headaches.

For us, that reminder is Ryan’s Law, which has a personal connection to our family.

How Ryan’s Law Began

To understand why this matters so much, you have to know how it started. Ryan’s Law is named after Ryan Bartell, a brave young man who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. While in palliative care at a California hospital, Ryan found that traditional pharmaceuticals left him groggy, unresponsive, and unable to connect with his loved ones during his final days.

When his family introduced medical cannabis, everything changed. It effectively managed his pain while allowing him to stay alert, awake, and fully present with his family.

However, Ryan’s father, Jim Bartell, had to fight hospital regulations just to allow his son that dignity. After Ryan passed, Jim turned his grief into action, fighting tirelessly to pass the original Ryan’s Law (SB 311) in California. This legislation legally required healthcare facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis.

Our family, the owners of Best Buds Dispensary, have a personal connection to Ryan’s parents. We deeply empathize with the grit, tears, and absolute selflessness it took to turn a private family tragedy into a protective shield for thousands of other patients. It was certainly no easy task, and the Bartell family efforts have changed lives far reaching beyond their home state of California.

Ryan’s Law in Colorado

Here in Colorado, the fight for compassionate care took a major step forward with Senate Bill 21-016, our own iteration that stemmed from Ryan's Law. This legislation ensures that qualified patients—especially children with debilitating medical conditions—have protected access to medical cannabis.

Just like the original California law, Colorado’s legislation is about removing unnecessary barriers between patients and the relief they deserve.

"When the red tape feels overwhelming, we remember the Bartell family and Ryan’s fight. And we remember that cannabis isn't just a product—for some, it is a literal lifeline."

Why We Do What We Do

Managing a cannabis business means constantly jumping through hoops. The rules shift, the taxes soar, compliance requirements evolve, and the administrative hurdles not to mention banking complications can feel never-ending. But when we look at the legacy of Ryan’s Law, that government red tape shrinks in comparison to what actually matters: compassion, dignity, and access to cannabis for those who desperately need it.

We don’t just open our doors every day to run a business. We do it because we believe in the power of this plant to change lives, just as it did for Ryan and his family. We do it to honor the incredible battles fought by families like the Bartells, and for the individuals who continue to struggle every day with aliments soothed by cannabis.

If you or a loved one are navigating the complexities of medical cannabis, or if you simply want to support a team dedicated to patient health, please reach out to us. We have three medical dispensaries in the greater Denver area, and our staff is always here to help guide you toward the products that best suit your needs.

Thank you for being part of the Best Buds community, and for letting us share a small piece of the owner's personal motivation with you today.

www.bestbudsco.com 

Filed under: Best Buds, Marijuana legalization