THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	63
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the drug enforcement agency to assist the hawaii department of health with obtaining a federal exemption for the state authorized use of cannabis in hawaii.

WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict between state and federal regulation of cannabis is causing devastating consequences for Hawaii's lawfully registered medical cannabis patients and licensed dispensaries; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature addressed the conflict by unanimously adopting House Concurrent Resolution No. 132, Regular Session of 2021 (H.C.R. No. 132), requesting the Hawaii Department of Health to file a federal exemption application for the state authorized use of cannabis in Hawaii with the Drug Enforcement Administration; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health has resisted moving forward with this request because of potential negative repercussions for the State's medical cannabis program; and

WHEREAS, states have reserved the authority to decide how cannabis is regulated within their jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, the federal appropriations rider known as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, which prevents the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration from using resources to interfere with state medical cannabis programs continues to be in force; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Drug Enforcement Administration is requested to assist the Hawaii Department of Health with obtaining a federal exemption for the state authorized use of cannabis in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Hawaii's Congressional Delegation, Governor, Attorney General of Hawaii, and Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Cannabis; Authorized Use; Department of Health; Drug Enforcement Administration