In a recent development, lawmakers in Hawaii are directing their efforts towards enhancing the state’s medical cannabis system following the stalling of attempts to legalize adult-use cannabis.
Governor Josh Green announced that he plans to veto 19 bills in the coming weeks, one of which would have allowed primary care providers to recommend medical cannabis for any condition outside the current qualifying list.
The pioneering bill, known as HB 302, initially aimed to broaden the state’s medical cannabis program by integrating telehealth services.
However, Governor Green expressed concerns about potential violations of patient privacy in a revision that would have enabled the Hawaii Department of Health to examine patients’ medical records.
These concerns were echoed by legislators Kim Coco Iwamoto and Della Au Belatti, who pointed out that the bill could compromise the confidentiality of medical cannabis patients.
The governor’s office issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to expanding access to medical cannabis while ensuring the safety and privacy of patients.
While Governor Green approved the inclusion of telehealth for qualifying medical cannabis recommendations, he deemed provisions that allow for warrantless inspection of patients’ medical records as unacceptable.
He also noted that patients might refrain from participating in the medical cannabis program due to fear of repercussions from federal policies classifying cannabis as a Schedule I substance.
As it stands, Hawaii’s medical cannabis program permits recommendations only for specific conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, glaucoma, lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, AIDS, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The now-vetoed HB 302 sought to amend definitions related to the medical use of cannabis, authorize provider-patient relationships via telehealth, and implement caps on provider fees.
Additionally, it would have allowed retail dispensaries to sell hemp products and cannabis-related accessories, clarified transportation requirements for inter-dispensary sales, and established penalties for unlicensed medical cannabis operations.
The legislation also aimed to allocate funds from the state’s Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to develop programs addressing illegal cannabis and hemp products.
Governor Green’s list of intended vetoes also touches on several other themes, including environmental stewardship, educational access, and public safety.
He stated, “Let me be clear: of the 320 bills passed by the Legislature this session, 19 are on our Intent-to-Veto list. Our team has completed a comprehensive review of every measure and the vast majority of legislation will be enacted. Each bill on today’s list has been chosen based on thorough legal and fiscal analysis, with a focus on serving the people of Hawai‘i.”
The current environment for medical cannabis in Hawaii shows a declining number of residents opting for regulated dispensaries, leading to concerns that individuals may be turning to unlicensed CBD outlets or the black market.
In light of these developments, lawmakers are keen on resolving existing shortcomings in the state’s medical cannabis framework to better serve patients.
As the situation unfolds, the focus will remain on improving access and maintaining the integrity of patient privacy within the state’s medical cannabis program.
image source from：https://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminadams/2025/06/11/hawaii-governor-to-veto-medical-cannabis-expansion-bill/
