THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

527

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL USE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that studies have shown the benefits of using cannabis to alleviate certain serious illnesses.  The legislature further finds that several states permit the sales of edible cannabis products, either for recreational use or for medical use.  These states generally place restrictions on edible cannabis products, such as limiting the amount of psychoactive ingredients per serving, banning manufacturers from making candy-like edibles that might attract children, and requiring proper labeling.  Proper labeling and portioning of edible products are especially important, as edible cannabis products are responsible for the majority of cannabis intoxications.

     The legislature also finds that some states have imposed additional regulations on cannabis and manufactured cannabis products, including a product recall system and the use of a universal symbol to clearly identify products containing cannabis.

     The legislature notes that there are concerns surrounding the authorization of edible cannabis products, in particular the risks of inadvertent over-intoxication or accidental poisoning.  It is therefore appropriate to convene a working group to discuss safety measures, protocols, and quality control procedures that must be implemented when authorizing the manufacture and sale of edible cannabis products.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to convene a working group to develop:

     (1)  Standards, regulations, and protocols for the manufacture and sale of edible medical cannabis products;

     (2)  A universal symbol to be displayed on all edible medical cannabis product packaging; and

     (3)  Quality control procedures for edible medical cannabis products with an emphasis on a retail products recall system.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall convene a working group to propose standards, regulations, protocols and recommendations for legislation regarding edible medical cannabis products.

     (b)  The working group shall include the following:

     (1)  Two senators from the senate committee on commerce, consumer protection, and health, to be appointed by the president of the senate;

     (2)  Two members of the house of representatives committee on health, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (3)  The director of health or the director's designee;

     (4)  The director of commerce and consumer affairs or the director's designee;

     (5)  Two community members who represent the dispensary licensees, to be appointed by the governor;

     (6)  One member from the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii;

     (7)  Two registered medical cannabis patients, to be appointed by the governor; and

     (8)  Two manufacturers currently making edible medical cannabis products, to be appointed by the governor.

     (c)  One senator shall be designated by the president of the senate and one member of the house of representatives shall be designated by the speaker of the house of representatives to co-chair the working group.

     (d)  The working group shall meet a minimum of four times before January 1, 2020, to develop:

     (1)  Standards, regulations, and protocols for the manufacture and sale of edible medical cannabis products;

     (2)  A universal symbol which will readily identify cannabis products to users and which is suitable to be displayed on all edible medical cannabis product packaging;

     (3)  Quality control procedures for edible medical cannabis products with a particular focus on developing a recall system for retail products; and

     (4)  Any other pertinent issues relating to edible medical cannabis products that may be sold at medical cannabis dispensaries.

     (e)  The working group meetings shall be open to the public and shall include a segment for public comment.

     (f)  The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020.

     (g)  The legislative reference bureau shall assist the working group with research, take notes at meetings, provide minutes of meetings, and prepare the working group's final report.

     (h)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2021.

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



 

Report Title:

Edible Medical Cannabis Products; Working Group; Recall System; Universal Symbol; Department of Health

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to convene a working group to develop a universal symbol, quality control procedures with a focus on a retail product recall system, and standards, regulations, and protocols for the manufacture and sale of edible medical cannabis products.  Requires report to the legislature.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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