Hawaii-2016-SCR74-Introduced

WHEREAS, several states, including Hawaii, have enacted medical marijuana laws; and

WHEREAS, chapter 329, part IX, Hawaii Revised Statutes, was enacted pursuant to Act 228, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, to establish the medical marijuana program and create an exemption from criminal sanctions for the medical use of marijuana; and

WHEREAS, furthermore, chapter 329D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, was enacted pursuant to Act 241, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, to establish medical marijuana dispensaries that may begin operations in July 2016; and

WHEREAS, as Hawaii expands its medical marijuana program through dispensaries, it is important that continuous research and discussion occur pertaining to medical marijuana best practices, including issues related to manufactured marijuana products; and

WHEREAS, while the types of manufactured marijuana products permitted to be manufactured by medical marijuana dispensaries are limited to the types enumerated in section 329D-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, recommendations on whether to also allow edible medical marijuana products may be beneficial; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature is urged to convene a working group to research, discuss, and make recommendations for legislation regarding edible medical marijuana products; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include:

(1) Two members of the Senate standing committee with primary jurisdiction over commerce, consumer protection, and health, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction over health, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(3) The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

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

(5) One member from the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai‘i;

(6) Two registered medical marijuana patients, to be appointed by the Governor;

(7) Two medical marijuana manufacturers currently making marijuana products, to be appointed by the Governor; and

(8) The Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs or the Director's designee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one member of the Senate be designated by the President of the Senate and one member of the House of Representatives be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve as co-chairs of the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group meet a minimum of four times before January 1, 2017, to discuss:

(1) New medical marijuana edible products, including drinks, for patients;

(2) Packaging for medical marijuana edible products;

(3) Best practices in other states;

(4) Quality control and potency of medical marijuana edible products; and

(5) Any other pertinent issues relating to medical marijuana products that may be sold at medical marijuana dispensaries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group meetings be open to the public and include a segment for public comment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2017; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to assist the working group with research, take notes at meetings, provide minutes of meetings, and prepare the working group's final report; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be dissolved on June 30, 2017; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Director of Health, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, and the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai‘i.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Medical Marijuana; Working Group; Edibles

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	74
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII