Hawaii Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill
Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed into law House Bill 302 on June 27, which is a medical marijuana expansion bill introducing significant changes to the state’s medical cannabis program.
HB 302 will make two main reforms around patient access, according to Marijuana Moment. First, it allows a patient’s primary treating medical provider to recommend marijuana for any malady they see fit, regardless of whether it’s a specified qualifying condition in Hawaii. It also allows patients to receive medical cannabis recommendations through telehealth visits rather than having to establish an in-person relationship with a provider.
Advocates initially supported HB 302 as a means to expand access to patients with conditions beyond those specified under state law. But many withdrew support following a conference committee that revised the plan. The following changes were made:
Department of Health Access to Patient Records: A provision within the bill allows the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to inspect patient medical records without a warrant. This raised concerns about privacy violations, especially given cannabis’ Schedule I status under federal law.
Hemp Product Sales by Dispensaries: The bill also allows medical marijuana dispensaries to sell “hemp products.”
Criminal Penalties for Illegal Sales: HB 302 establishes criminal penalties for illegal cannabis sales, including online advertising of unlicensed sales.
Funding for Enforcement: Funds from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund will support initiatives aimed at controlling illegal cannabis and hemp products.
Acknowledging that patients might be especially concerned about removing privacy protections given that marijuana remains federally illegal, in early June, Green himself put the cannabis measure on a list of bills he intended to veto. However, Green just signed HB 302 into law in late June.
The post Hawaii Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Expansion Bill appeared first on Beverage Information Group.