HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1502

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to medical cannabis.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that thirty-three states, plus the District of Columbia, allow medical cannabis for its residents.  Ten states, plus the District of Columbia, have also legalized cannabis for recreational use.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii's medical cannabis law was passed in 2000, followed by the approval of medical cannabis dispensaries by the legislature in 2015, and  the first operations of in-state dispensaries commencing in 2017.  As Hawaii expands its medical cannabis program through the use of these highly regulated and monitored dispensaries, more patients are expected to consider medical cannabis as a viable treatment, knowing that the medicine will be regulated and tested.

     The purpose of this Act is to expand the debilitating medical conditions for which medical cannabis may be certified for use to include generalized anxiety disorder and socialized anxiety disorder.

     SECTION 2.  Section 329-121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "debilitating medical condition" to read as follows:

     ""Debilitating medical condition" means:

     (1)  Cancer, glaucoma, lupus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or the treatment of these conditions;

     (2)  A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:

          (A)  Cachexia or wasting syndrome;

          (B)  Severe pain;

          (C)  Severe nausea;

          (D)  Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy;

          (E)  Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; [or]

          (F)  Post-traumatic stress disorder; [or]

          (G)  Generalized anxiety disorder; or

          (H)  Socialized anxiety disorder; or

     (3)  Any other medical condition approved by the department of health pursuant to administrative rules in response to a request from a physician or advanced practice registered nurse or potentially qualifying patient."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Medical Cannabis; Debilitating Medical Condition

 

Description:

Includes generalized anxiety disorder and socialized anxiety disorder as a debilitating medical condition for which medical cannabis may be certified for use.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.