Bill Explanation

House Bill No. 48

This bill relates to medical marijuana in the state of Hawaii.

Section 1 - Medical Marijuana Dispensary Rules

This section outlines the standards that the department of health must establish for medical marijuana dispensaries. These standards include:

The number of dispensaries allowed to operate in the state.
A fee structure for the application and renewal of licenses for dispensaries. The department will consider market conditions in each county when determining renewal fees.
Criteria for selecting dispensary license applicants, based on merit. This criteria includes factors such as the applicant's ability to run a business, financial stability, and compliance with security and inventory control requirements.
Requirements for annual audits and reports from production centers and dispensaries.
Procedures for inspections of production centers and dispensaries.
Security requirements for production centers and retail dispensing locations, such as video monitoring, fencing, alarms, and lighting.
Security requirements for transporting marijuana and manufactured marijuana products between production centers and retail locations.
Standards for criminal background checks for license applicants, employees, and subcontractors. Anyone convicted of a felony is excluded from licensure or employment.
Training and certification requirements for operators and employees of production centers and dispensaries.
Guidelines for the types of manufactured marijuana products that dispensaries can sell. Products shaped to appeal to minors or containing toxic additives are prohibited.
Standards for testing marijuana and manufactured marijuana products for content, contamination, and consistency.
Limits on the quantities of marijuana and manufactured marijuana products that dispensaries can sell to qualifying patients or caregivers.
Requirements for inventory controls to prevent unauthorized distribution of marijuana or manufactured marijuana products.
Signage limitations for retail locations and production centers, including restrictions on the use of cartoon characters or designs appealing to children.
Guidelines for disposing or destroying unwanted or unused marijuana or manufactured marijuana products.
Prohibitions against selling or providing marijuana to unauthorized persons, exceeding quantity limits, or using or distributing marijuana on the premises of a retail location or production center.
Penalties for violations of medical marijuana laws.
A process for recognizing and registering patients from other states, territories, or the District of Columbia as qualifying patients in Hawaii.

Section 2

This section adds new statutory material related to medical marijuana regulations.

Section 3

This Act will take effect upon its approval.

Introduced By: [Name]

This bill requires the department of health to adopt rules that prohibit the manufacture and sale of marijuana products designed to appeal to children or containing addictive additives. It aims to regulate the production and sale of medical marijuana in the state, ensuring that dispensaries operate responsibly and meet the needs of qualifying patients.

Manufactured Marijuana Products