STAND. COM. REP. NO. 159-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2260

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2260 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CANNABIS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the circumstances under which medical cannabis may be transported by and between dispensaries;

(2) Increase the allowable number of plants for production centers;

(3) Increase the number of production centers that may be allowed under a dispensary license;

(4) Increase the number of retail dispensing locations that may be allowed under a dispensary license;

(5) Redefine the term "medical cannabis production center" to include any series of structures located within the same secured perimeter fence-line;

(6) Require the Department of Health to establish the fee structure for the submission of applications for additional production centers and retail dispensing locations and dispensary-to-dispensary sales; and

(7) Amend the Department of Health's duties with respect to the establishment of standards for manufactured cannabis products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Cannabis Industry Association, Marijuana Policy Project, Noa Botanicals, Green Aloha Ltd., Maui Grown Therapies, Aloha Green Holdings Inc., Big Island Grown Dispensaries, Hawaiian Ethos, and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Akamai Cannabis Clinic.

Your Committee finds that additional measures are needed to ensure qualified patients in the State have access to an adequate supply of medical cannabis. This measure will enhance the State's medical cannabis dispensary program by permitting additional facilities to strengthen patient access, maintaining strict product controls and safety standards, and improving the administration of the program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Reducing the allowable amount of cannabis that may be transported from a selling dispensary to a purchasing dispensary from sixteen hundred ounces to three hundred twenty ounces;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2260, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2260, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair