Two Senate committees in Hawaii have approved legislation that would significantly expand access to medical marijuana and tighten regulations on unlicensed dispensaries.
House Bill 302 was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 4 to 1 vote and by the Senate Ways and Means Committee in a unanimous 12 to 0 vote. The measure, filed earlier this month by eight lawmakers, will require one more committee vote before moving to the full Senate.
If passed into law, HB 302 would make several changes to Hawaii’s medical marijuana program. These include allowing physicians and advanced practice registered nurses to certify patients for any condition they deem appropriate for medical marijuana use. Currently, only certain qualifying conditions are permitted under law, such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, severe pain, and glaucoma.
The bill would also allow telehealth evaluations for patient certifications and remove the requirement for an in-person doctor-patient relationship, addressing access concerns, especially for patients on neighboring islands.
Another key provision would establish a licensing framework for cannabis cultivators and prohibit the operation of dispensaries without a state license. The bill also includes criminal penalties for unlicensed operations and empowers the Department of Health to issue cease-and-desist orders and the Attorney General’s Office to enforce violations and abate nuisances.
Despite wide support, HB 302 has drawn concerns from both regulators and industry stakeholders. The Department of Health and Attorney General’s Office expressed apprehension about the costs and regulatory burden of licensing cultivators and enforcing new mandates. Some licensed dispensaries, while supporting expanded patient access, have pushed back on provisions they say could oversaturate the market and destabilize existing operations.
Still, advocates view HB 302 as a much-needed update to Hawaii’s medical marijuana program, which has seen patient numbers decline in recent years amid competition from illicit sellers and unregulated hemp-derived THC products.
The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
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