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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
197 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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RESOLUTION
REQUESTING the Director of Health to convene a medical marijuana working group to make recommendations to improve Hawaii's Medical Marijuana program.
WHEREAS, in 2000, the Legislature enacted Act 228 to permit the use of marijuana by seriously ill persons who met certain criteria; and
WHEREAS, Act 228 was enacted out of compassionate concern for those suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, and various other ailments for which cannabis can provide relief; and
WHEREAS, nine other states have similar programs that are typically administered by their departments of health; and
WHEREAS, these programs maintain web sites with information for patients, physicians, and caregivers, and some provide outreach services to educate stakeholders on the procedures for registering and other useful information; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii's program is housed in the Narcotics Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety which does not provide adequate website information or other forms of outreach; and
WHEREAS, this placement was made out of concern for the security issues surrounding the controlled substance involved; and
WHEREAS, the program does not handle or deal with any marijuana, and there have been no security problems reported; and
WHEREAS, anecdotal reports including a patient survey, indicate that many qualifying individuals find it intimidating to register with a law enforcement entity; and
WHEREAS, similar reports indicate that there is difficulty enlisting physicians to register patients because they are also reluctant to register with a law enforcement entity; and
WHEREAS, many people who could benefit from the medical use of marijuana are intimidated and thereby excluded from its benefits; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Director of Health is requested to convene a medical marijuana working group to make recommendations to improve Hawaii's Medical Marijuana program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to chair the medical marijuana working group and to include in the working group the following members:
(1) One representative from the Department of Public Safety;
(2) One representative from the Department of Health;
(3) One representative of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii; and
(4) One registered qualifying patient currently in the Medical Marijuana program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medical Marijuana working group is requested to:
(1) Make recommendations to and assist the Department of Public Safety to improve the effectiveness of the Department's internet website by providing all relevant information to current and potential qualifying patients, primary caregivers, and physicians regarding the Medical Marijuana program, including:
(A) A detailed description of the required procedures for participation in the program by qualifying patients, primary caregivers, and physicians; and
(B) Specific instructions for these individuals to comply with these procedures;
(2) Seek permission and approval of the Department of Public Safety to modify the Department's internet website accordingly;
(3) Review the operation of the Medical Marijuana program and recommend ways to better and more effectively focus on the medical mission of the program; and
(4) Recommend in which state department the Medical Marijuana would most effectively be placed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and, if necessary, the Information and Communication Services Division of the Department of Accounting and General Services are requested to assist the Department of Public Safety in implementing improvements to the Department's internet website no later than the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to submit a report of the findings and recommendations of the Medical Marijuana working group, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, the Director of Public Safety, the Executive Director of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Comptroller.
Report Title:
Medical Marijuana Program; Working Group Recommendations