(a) No research program or research program employee may (1) acquire marijuana from a person other than a cannabis establishment or laboratory, (2) deliver, transport or distribute marijuana to a person who is not (A) a cannabis establishment, (B) a laboratory, or (C) a research program subject, (3) distribute or administer marijuana to an animal unless such animal is an animal research subject, or (4) obtain or transport marijuana outside of this state in violation of state or federal law.

(b) No research program employee acting within the scope of his or her employment shall be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner, including, but not limited to, being subject to any civil penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, being subject to any disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, for acquiring, possessing, delivering, transporting or distributing marijuana to a cannabis establishment or laboratory, or a research program subject or distributing or administering marijuana to an animal research subject under the provisions of this chapter.