STAND. COM. REP. NO. 468-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2443

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2443, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Repeal the sunset date of the authorization for primary caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis for qualifying patients; and

(2) Clarify that primary caregivers may continue to cultivate medical cannabis for qualifying patients, subject to certain restrictions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation; Aloha Green Apothecary; Cannabis Society of Hawaiʻi; Noa Botanicals, LLC; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Akamai Cannabis Consulting and Oahu Cannabis Farms Alliance.

Your Committee finds that existing state law recognizes the beneficial use of cannabis in treating certain debilitating medical conditions, their symptoms, and certain side effects of treatment for these conditions. Your Committee further finds that medical cannabis patients should have multiple options for obtaining medical cannabis, including having a primary caregiver grow an adequate supply of cannabis for medical use on their behalf. This measure would permanently allow primary caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis for qualifying patients.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2443, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair