STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3403

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 150

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 150 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO OBTAIN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE EXEMPTION FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR REGISTERED MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND REGISTRATION WAIVERS FOR STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Governor to obtain a controlled substance exemption from the Drug Enforcement Administration for registered medical cannabis patients and registration waivers for state-licensed dispensaries.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Akamai Cannabis Consulting and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the legal disparities between the state and federal regulation of cannabis threaten employment, firearms registration, interisland transport, housing, hospice care, and safe and affordable access to necessary medication for tens of thousands of the State's medical cannabis patients. Your Committee further finds that these legal disparities also discourage hundreds of thousands of potential medical cannabis patients from enrolling in the State's Medical Cannabis Program for fear of federal repercussions, pushing them towards the illicit market. This measure helps the State to reduce conflicts between state and federal law, provide greater certainty and protection for patients, and improve safe and reliable access to medical cannabis across the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 150 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair