The Hawaii Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation to expand medical marijuana access and impose stricter rules on unlicensed cannabis operations.
House Bill 302 passed the full Senate today in a 24 to 1 vote, following approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee earlier this week. The proposal now heads back to the House for concurrence on amendments before potentially moving to Governor Josh Green’s desk.
If signed into law, HB 302 would overhaul key components of the state’s medical marijuana program. Notably, it would allow physicians and advanced practice registered nurses to certify patients for any medical condition they believe warrants marijuana treatment—removing the state’s current list of qualifying conditions.
The bill would also legalize the use of telehealth appointments for patient certifications, eliminating the requirement for in-person evaluations. Supporters say this change is especially important for residents of Hawaii’s more remote islands, where medical access is often limited.
In an effort to address the state’s growing unregulated market, HB 302 includes provisions to establish a licensing system for marijuana cultivators and to prohibit dispensaries from operating without a license. The measure gives the Department of Health authority to issue cease-and-desist orders and grants the Attorney General’s Office power to enforce violations and shut down unlawful operations.
While the bill has garnered strong support from patient advocates and lawmakers, it has faced resistance from regulators concerned about the cost of enforcement and from some licensed dispensaries worried about market oversaturation.
Despite these concerns, today’s lopsided Senate vote marks a major step toward updating Hawaii’s aging medical marijuana law, which has struggled to keep pace with demand and emerging products in the broader cannabis landscape.
