STAND. COM. REP. NO. 367-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1797

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1797, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve patient access to medical cannabis by authorizing naturopathic physicians to provide written certifications for medical cannabis use to qualifying patients.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Naturopathy Medicine, Hawaii Society of Naturopathic Physicians, Klein Natural Health and Wellness Center, Steelsmith Natural Health Center, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that naturopathic physicians are experts in botanical medicine and medicinal plant chemistry, safety, and efficacy. In addition to their expertise in botanical medicine, naturopathic physicians are primary care physicians who manage prescriptions for many of their patients. Your Committee further finds that adding naturopathic physicians to the provider types eligible to certify patients for the Hawaii Medical Cannabis Program would significantly increase access to health care and benefit the people of Hawaii for whom medical cannabis may be a good therapeutic option.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1797, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1797, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair