Hawaii Senate Committees Unanimously Approve Bill to Allow Dispensaries to Sell Cannabis Seeds to Patients

A Hawaii bill that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell viable cannabis seeds to registered patients has been given approval by two Senate committees, both unanimously. Today, Senate Bill 2413 was reported from the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection with a recommendation that it pass on Second Reading. The measure, which was also given approval by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection, has been referred to the Judiciary and Ways and Means committees for further consideration. The next step will be the full Senate.

The legislation would authorize licensed dispensaries to sell viable cannabis seeds directly to qualifying medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers. Under the proposal, no more than 10 seeds per month could be purchased by, or on behalf of, a qualifying patient.

In addition to allowing seed sales, the bill would repeal existing statutory language that authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to inspect a qualifying patient’s medical records held by the health care provider who issued the written certification. It would also remove provisions allowing the suspension or revocation of a provider’s authority to issue written certifications if the provider refuses such an inspection or if records are deemed noncompliant with the medical use of cannabis law.

The measure requires the Department of Health to adopt rules necessary to implement the new seed sales framework.

SB 2413 was introduced by Senators Joy San Buenaventura (D), Stanley Chang (D), Kurt Fevella (R), Troy Hashimoto (D), Jarrett Keohokalole (D) and Michelle Kidani (D).

If approved on Second and Third Reading in the Senate, the proposal would then advance to the House for consideration.