THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2659
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Medical CANNABIS Products.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the list of medical cannabis products that may be manufactured and distributed pursuant to section 329D-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, omits viable products. The legislature notes that the Act 230, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, medical cannabis legislative oversight working group recommended updating transdermal patches to transdermal devices, as excluding non-patch devices that deliver through the dermis was unintentional. The working group also recommended adding suppositories to the list, due to the advantages suppository delivery provides as a form of drug administration: it avoids the first-pass metabolic effects of oral ingestion, leading to sustained elevation of drug plasma levels, and it is a favorable option for patients who have difficulty with oral administration.

The purpose of this Act is to further ensure access to medical cannabis for qualifying patients, by updating references in the medical cannabis dispensary laws from transdermal patches to transdermal devices and by adding cannabinoid suppositories to the list of manufactured cannabis products that may be manufactured and distributed by dispensaries.

SECTION 2. Section 329D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read:

""Cannabinoid suppository" means a small, soluble container designed to melt at body temperature within a body cavity other than the mouth, especially the rectum or vagina, containing a cannabinoid product, concentrate, or extract."

2. By amending the definition of "manufactured cannabis product" to read:

""Manufactured cannabis product" means any capsule, lozenge, oil or oil extract, tincture, ointment or skin lotion, pill, transdermal [patch,] device, or pre-filled and sealed container used to aerosolize and deliver cannabis orally, such as an inhaler or nebulizer, that has been manufactured using cannabis, or any other products as specified by the department pursuant to section [329D-10(a)(9).] 329D-10(a)(10)."

SECTION 3. Section 329D-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The types of medical cannabis products that may be manufactured and distributed pursuant to this chapter shall be limited to:

(1) Capsules;

(2) Lozenges;

(3) Pills;

(4) Oils and oil extracts;

(5) Tinctures;

(6) Ointments and skin lotions;

(7) Transdermal [patches;] devices;

(8) Pre-filled and sealed containers used to aerosolize and deliver cannabis orally, such as with an inhaler or nebulizer; [and]

(9) Cannabinoid suppositories; and

[(9)] (10) Other products as specified by the department."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Medical Cannabis; Manufactured Cannabis Products; Transdermal Devices; Suppositories

Description:

Updates transdermal patches to transdermal devices in section 329D-10, HRS, thereby including non-patch devices that deliver through the dermis. Adds cannabinoid suppositories to the list of cannabis products that may be manufactured and distributed by dispensaries.

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