CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 12-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.B. No. 2407

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to convene the Medical Cannabis Study Group to examine the legal complexities surrounding the medical use of cannabis in Hawaii.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the medical use of cannabis may be effective at treating opioid use and substance use disorders by reducing the amount of opioid medication needed to provide effective pain relief. While your Committee on Conference recognizes the importance of proceeding with due deliberation when possible, the serious public health concerns posed by opioid use disorders and substance use disorders demand a commensurate, proactive response. Your Committee on Conference finds that the S.D. 1 version of this measure, which was previously passed by the Senate, permits immediate action to address opioid use and substance use disorders by allowing these disorders, along with withdrawal symptoms resulting from treatment of those conditions, to be treated with the medical use of cannabis.

Accordingly, your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Reverting to the S.D. 1 version, which amends the definition of "debilitating medical condition", as used in the medical use of cannabis law, to include opioid use disorders, substance use disorders, and withdrawal symptoms resulting from the treatment of those conditions; and

(2) Making it effective upon approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO Co-Chair	____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER Chair
____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Co-Chair
____________________________ ROY M. TAKUMI Co-Chair