The legislation stipulates limits on where qualifying patients can obtain cannabis after December 31, 2022, specifying that purchases must come from licensed dispensaries. It also empowers the Department of Health to establish application fees for additional dispensary locations and to conduct inspections on grow sites. This regulatory framework is designed to ensure compliance with established cannabis plant limits and safeguard the integrity of the medical cannabis program.
SB2273 aims to amend Hawaii's medical cannabis dispensary system by clarifying operational guidelines and increasing accessibility for qualifying patients. The bill proposes allowing dispensaries to purchase up to 3,000 grams of medical cannabis from each other within the same island, enhancing patient access to necessary products. Additionally, the bill seeks to increase the allowed number of production and retail locations per dispensary license to better meet public demand.
Notably, the bill clarifies the restrictions on the transportation of cannabis over waters, aligning state law with existing federal prohibitions. This has raised concerns among stakeholders about patient access, particularly for those utilizing cannabis for therapeutic purposes who may need to obtain products across islands. The legislation will also amend existing statutes related to the sale and distribution formats for cannabis, prioritizing regulatory compliance while addressing the evolving medicinal cannabis landscape in Hawaii.