STAND. COM. REP. NO. 416

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1024

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1024 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to create a Cannabinoid Medicine Program within the University of Hawaii to be administered by the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from JABSOM.

Your Committee finds that there are over thirty thousand people registered as medical cannabis patients in Hawaii, creating a need for expertise in the field of cannabinoid medicine to facilitate the exchange of education and research information related to the state-authorized use of cannabis for medical purposes in Hawaii. This measure will satisfy this need by creating a Cannabinoid Medicine Program within the University of Hawaii to be administered by JABSOM.

Your Committee notes the testimony from JABSOM stating that the new program is unnecessary as it would be duplicative of JABSOM's existing faculty with expertise in substance abuse, which includes substances such as marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinols; curriculum on substance use, chronic pain management, management of side effects of chemotherapy, and medical cannabis; and residency and fellowships programs, such as the fellowships on Addition Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. However, your Committee also acknowledges other testimony that distinguishes the existing programs at JABSOM from the Cannabinoid Medicine Program that will be created under this measure. Specifically, the existing programs at JABSOM are a part of the school's substance abuse and addictive psychiatry programs, whereas the new program will focus more on research and education related to the authorized use of cannabis for medical purposes and will include a certified cannabinoid medicine specialist as part of its faculty.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1024 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair