Bill > HB325

This bill establishes new employment protections for medical cannabis registry card holders in Hawaii, prohibiting employers from discriminating against these individuals in hiring, firing, or employment conditions based on their medical cannabis status. The legislation allows employers to use fit-for-duty tests for patients in potentially dangerous jobs and provides specific exemptions for certain high-risk occupations such as law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and employees who work with vulnerable populations or operate heavy machinery. The bill recognizes the existing medical cannabis program in Hawaii, which has been legal since 2000 and currently serves over 30,000 registered patients, and aims to address the ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding employment protections for medical cannabis users. While employers cannot discriminate against registry card holders based on their status or a positive cannabis drug test, they can still take action against employees who are impaired at work or who use cannabis on workplace premises. The bill also includes a provision that limits employer liability if an employee is injured and medical cannabis impairment was the sole contributing factor to the incident, effectively balancing the rights of medical cannabis patients with employers' safety concerns.

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=325&year=2026