Bill > SB1429

This bill addresses several key provisions related to medical cannabis in Hawaii. It authorizes the Department of Health to impose administrative penalties up to $5,000 for violations of medical cannabis laws, with each day of violation considered a separate offense. The bill increases the maximum number of qualifying patients a primary caregiver can care for from one to five patients, and retroactively to January 1, 2025, repeals the prohibition against primary caregivers cultivating medical cannabis for their patients. Caregivers will be allowed to cultivate cannabis in an amount not exceeding an adequate supply, with the cultivation location limited to serving no more than five qualifying patients. The bill also extends two administrative sunset dates: pushing the interim rules adopted by the Department of Health from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027, and extending the civil service exemption for personnel and contracts related to the medical cannabis dispensary system from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The legislature's underlying intent is to maintain multiple options for patients to access medical cannabis, recognizing that not all patients can obtain cannabis solely through dispensaries, and aims to provide flexible access routes for medical cannabis patients.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1429&year=2025