STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3234

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2426

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2426, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the medical cannabis dispensary law by making conforming amendments that:

(1) Align with recent enactments that provide a process for the voluntary or involuntary sale or transfer of a dispensary license, remove the exclusion from dispensary employment for certain class C felony convictions, and repeal certain restrictions on medical cannabis dispensary siting;

(2) Include primary caregivers, qualifying out-of-state patients, and caregivers of a qualifying out-of-state patient as covered individuals; and

(3) Better serve the needs and protect the safety of Hawaii's seriously ill patients.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Cannabis Industry Association, Kush Hawai‘i, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Act 241, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, established a regulated statewide dispensary system for medical cannabis to ensure safe and legal access to medical cannabis of qualifying patients. Your Committee further finds that the experience of the program indicates that improvements to the law will help to fulfill its original intent. This measure enhances Hawaii's medical cannabis dispensary system by clarifying violations related to medical cannabis dispensaries and further supporting patient access.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2426, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair