Hawaii Gov. Vetoes Medical Cannabis Telehealth Bill Over Privacy Concerns

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed medical cannabis patients to get certified by a physician for the state’s cannabis program via telehealth, established criminal penalties for unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary, and prohibited cannabis cultivation without a Department of Health-issued permit.  

In his veto message, Green, a medical doctor, focused on the bill’s telehealth provisions, claiming that they authorize “the inspection of patients’ medical records without warrant,” which constitutes “a grave violation of privacy.”

“Given that the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, patients’ reasonable fears of repercussions based upon information gained from inspection of their personal medical records may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.” — Green in the veto message 

The message did not outline any opposition to other provisions in the bill but noted that Green’s administration “remains committed to Hawai‘i’s existing medical cannabis program and supports efforts to expand access to medical cannabis for any medical condition.” 

In April, Hawaii House lawmakers took aim at shops selling intoxicating hemp-derived products. In a resolution, the chamber said that there are more than 84 “illegal dispensary operators” in the state and that the number is increasing “exponentially.” The bill vetoed by Green focused on illegally operating medical cannabis dispensaries, but did not address shops selling intoxicating hemp products.