Hawaii has several bills going through the state legislature that will bring new definitions and qualifying conditions to Hawaiian residents who wish to use medical cannabis.
Senate Bill 174 and House Bill 1488 both propose to add autism, epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, lupus and arthritis to the list of debilitating conditions that qualify for medical cannabis use.
The two bills are going in different directions through; both the House and Senate have passed their respective measures.
State Bill 174 has been passed by the Senate and the House Health Committee. SB-174 was passed unanimously earlier this month, adding the five new qualifying conditions to be added on after glaucoma and cancer.
Hawaii’s House Bill 1488 would amend more than the list of qualifying conditions. It also amends the definition of “adequate supply” of cannabis to include seven seedling plants and allows caregivers to cultivate until 2020. Cultivators will be able to grow for up to five patients, and the definition of the term “transport” will be defined to include some transport by caregivers and patients. It also requires retention of video security recordings of production centers and dispensaries for 45 days.
Senate Bill 786 has passed the Senate and is making its way through the house Health and Judiciary committees. SB-786 would amend the statutes and rules dealing with medical cannabis to replace references using “medical marijuana” to “medical cannabis” and similar terms. According to the bill, “Marijuana” has no scientific basis but carries prejudicial implications rooted in racial stereotypes from the early twentieth century era when cannabis use was first criminalized in the United States.” The term is derived from the Spanish word “marihuana” and references the dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant only.
Hawaii’s Senate Bill 305 has also passed the Senate. It would require video monitoring of cannabis production centers and retail dispensaries be kept for 45 days. House Bill 263 has passed the House and is on to the Senate, and would impose a General Incise Tax on a portion of a dispensaries’ gross income.