STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1105

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 962

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 962, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Add or clarify signage, manufactured cannabis product, and escort requirements for the medical cannabis dispensary program;

(2) Establish annual reporting requirements to increase public transparency regarding the medical cannabis registry program; and

(3) Make various housekeeping amendments.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Pono Life Maui, Cure Oahu, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from Akamai Cannabis Consulting.

Your Committees find that streamlining medical cannabis dispensary operations and resources allows businesses to remain operational and serve patient needs. Additionally, informing medical cannabis patients through signage allows patients to make informed decisions before purchasing specific products. Creating transparency between medical cannabis dispensaries and patients also promotes safer public health practices. This measure ensures continued access to medical cannabis while also addressing consumer protection and public health concerns.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 962, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair