Honolulu, HI: Democratic Gov. Josh Green has signed legislation (HB 302) into law expanding the pool of patients eligible for medical cannabis. Governor Green’s signature came weeks after he signaled his intention to veto the bill due to concerns that separate provisions might put patients’ privacy at risk.
The new law, which took immediate effect, permits medical providers to issue cannabis authorizations to any patient for whom they believe “the benefit of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks.” It also allows patients to receive authorizations via telehealth appointments.
Separate provisions in the law provide the Health Department with the authority to inspect a qualifying patient’s medical records without a warrant. Health providers who refuse to turn over their records when ordered to do so could have their ability to issue medical cannabis authorizations suspended. Governor Green had previously cautioned that the new inspection provisions “may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.”
Hawaii legalized medical cannabis access in 2000, becoming the first state to do so legislatively. About 30,000 patients currently participate in the access program.
Additional information about Hawaii’s medical cannabis access program is available from NORML.