Separate medical marijuana bills in the Hawaii Senate and House passed this past Tuesday. Both bills are now awaiting committee designations in the opposite chambers.
House Bill 1157 and Senate Bill 862 would both allow for the acquisition, possession, cultivation, distribution, transportation and the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Patients would be allowed to possess up to 10.5 ounces of marijuana.
The legislation would allow for the medical use of marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation, for patients who suffer from such medical conditions as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, a chronic or debilitating disease, wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe muscle spasms including multiple sclerosis, or any other medical condition approved by the department of health.
The Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (D-District 14) passed by one vote (13-12) and the House bill sponsored by Rep. Calvin Say (D-District 18) passed 32-18. Gov. Ben Cayetano has said he favors medical marijuana so a veto is unlikely.
“It is encouraging that state legislatures are beginning to approve the medical use of marijuana,” said Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director. “With polls showing 73 percent approval nationwide for medical use, elected officials are finally listening to their constituents.”
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director at (202) 483-5500; Donald Topping, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii President at (808) 988-4386. To view SB 862 or HB 1157 visit: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp?press1=docs.
