Bill Text: HI SB2627 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Medical Marijuana Commission

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Referred to CPH/GVO, WAM. [SB2627 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB2627-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2627
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to public safety.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that currently twenty-four jurisdictions allow the use of medical marijuana.  While there are many differences among all of the medical marijuana programs, there is also a general similarity among the statutory schemes that created them.  Like Hawaii, each jurisdiction legalized the use of medical marijuana, tasked various departments with executing the program, and gave them rule making authority to bring about the purpose of the program.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a medical marijuana commission consisting of government officials, medical professionals, patients, public safety officials, and law enforcement officials, to meet at least four times a year to evaluate and make recommendations about the overall effectiveness of the medical marijuana dispensaries in the State.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the department of health, for administrative purposes, the medical marijuana commission.

     (b)  Notwithstanding sections 26-34 and 78-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the commission shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The director of health, or the director's designee, who shall serve as the chair of the commission;

     (2)  The director of public safety, or the director's designee;

     (3)  A representative from the alcohol and drug abuse division of the department of health;

     (4)  A representative from each of the four county police departments;

     (5)  A representative of the sheriff division of the department of public safety;

     (6)  Three licensed physicians with knowledge and experience in medical marijuana issues, who shall be appointed by the governor, senate president, and speaker of the house of representatives, respectively;

     (7)  A registered nurse with knowledge and experience in medical marijuana issues, who shall be appointed by the governor;

     (8)  Three registered medical marijuana patients, who shall be appointed by the governor, senate president, and speaker of the house of representatives, respectively; and

     (9)  A representative from the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.

     Any vacancies in the commission shall be filled in the manner provided for in the original appointments.

     (c)  By January 1, 2017, the commission shall have met twice, thereafter the commission shall meet four times per year.  The commission may hold additional meetings, including public meetings, as it deems necessary.  The commission shall provide for participation via video conference or other remote access for neighbor island members.  The commission's meetings shall be focused on evaluating and making recommendations to the governor, legislature, and department of health regarding the overall effectiveness of medical marijuana dispensaries in serving the needs of qualifying patients in the State, including the following:

     (1)  The accessibility of a high quality adequate supply of medical marijuana to qualifying patients throughout the State;

     (2)  The educational and support services provided;

     (3)  The affordability of medical marijuana;

     (4)  The appropriateness of safety and security measures;

     (5)  The sufficiency of the number of operating dispensaries to serve the number of qualifying patients in the State; and

     (6)  A review of existing rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana dispensaries in the State.

     (d)  The commission shall submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature and the governor no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. The report shall include the following information:

     (1)  The number of applications and renewals for medical marijuana registry patient identification certificates;

     (2)  The number of qualifying patients and designated caregivers in each county;

     (3)  The types of debilitating medical conditions of qualifying patients;

     (4)  The number of registry patient identification certificates revoked for misconduct;

     (5)  The number of physicians providing written certifications for qualifying patients;

     (6)  The accounting data for dispensaries regarding fees and costs; and

     (7)  Recommendations to improve the State's medical marijuana dispensary system with respect to patient access, quality control, patient safety, and preventing unsanctioned distribution of medical marijuana.

     (e)  Commission members shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the conduct of official commission business.

     (f)  The medical marijuana commission shall cease to exist on January 1, 2020.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Medical Marijuana Commission

 

Description:

Establishes a medical marijuana commission to evaluate and make recommendations about the overall effectiveness of the medical marijuana dispensaries in the State.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.