Bill Text: HI HB1992 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Medical Marijuana Dispensary System; Annual Review by Department of Health
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 2 [HB1992 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1992-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1992 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to medical marijuana.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. In 2015, a medical marijuana dispensary system was established in Hawaii. The legislature finds that medical marijuana has a place in the treatment of illness and qualifying patients need ready access to medical marijuana; however, such a dispensary system also carries the potential for risks that cannot be ignored. For instance, there exists a large amount of data concerning the adverse effects of marijuana use, including on crime, traffic accidents, unemployment, and mental health.
The legislature notes that there have been reports from across the nation regarding individuals who have harmed themselves or others because of the improper or excessive use of marijuana. For example, in Kentucky, a lawyer was struck and killed by the driver of a pickup truck who had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana not long before the incident. In Colorado, a high-school student died as a result of twenty self-inflicted stab wounds after smoking a large amount of marijuana. A Wyoming college student visiting Denver jumped to his death from a hotel balcony after eating six times the recommended amount of a marijuana-infused cookie. A woman in Denver was shot and killed by her husband in front of their three children after her husband had consumed marijuana edibles and began behaving erratically. A seventeen-year-old high-school student in Boulder, Colorado, committed suicide after consuming a large amount of marijuana at a party and then suffering a major psychotic breakdown. A college student who accompanied his family on a skiing vacation to a Colorado resort purchased marijuana edibles in the form of candy and consumed five times the recommended amount. Becoming agitated and incoherent, he later shot himself and died. The potential consequences of the improper use of marijuana can be tragic.
Legal marijuana use must be restricted only to the treatment of illness, and the department of health needs to ensure that the distribution of marijuana for Hawaii's medical marijuana dispensary system occurs solely for medicinal purposes. Accordingly, the medical marijuana dispensary system, which took effect on July 1, 2015, warrants a cautious approach and further review. The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to conduct such reviews.
SECTION 2. Chapter 329D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§329D- Annual review. (a) Beginning on July 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, the department of health shall conduct a review of the medical marijuana dispensary system. This review shall:
(1) Include an examination of:
(A) The efficiency and operations of the medical marijuana dispensary system;
(B) Safeguards against improper distribution of medical marijuana;
(C) Any difficulties and unforeseen issues faced by the dispensary system; and
(D) Any other matters deemed necessary by the department of health; and
(2) Be conducted in addition to:
(A) The inspections, audits, and reports required by section 329D-23; and
(B) The report and informational briefing required by section 13 of Act 241, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015.
(b) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, the department of health shall submit a report to the legislature concerning the review conducted under subsection (a).
(c) If the department of health finds through its review that there are problems with the medical marijuana dispensary system, the department shall implement corrective actions.
(d) If any legislation is necessary to implement corrective actions, the department of health shall submit any proposed legislation no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Medical Marijuana Dispensary System; Annual Review by Department of Health
Description:
Requires the Department of Health to conduct annual reviews of the medical marijuana dispensary system.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
