DRUG-RELATED BILLS IN 2007 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE
(as of 1/28/07)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILLS

HB 300: RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Moves MMJ program to DOH; Requires DOH to convene a standing committee (as specified in existing law) to determine when to add additional medical conditions to those covered by the program; limits the duties of physician in registering patients to better protect physicians from potential federal prosecution per recent court decisions; extends the registration to 2 years (from the current 1) and requires DOH to mail a notice of expiration 30 days before expiration; prohibits use by qualifying patients in stationary heavy machinery; permits use in the workplace if the workplace is the patient's home; makes program applications available on the DOH website; increases from 1 to 3 the number of patients that can be served by 1 caregiver; for privacy reasons, certification shall not include patient's specific diagnosis; changes definition of "adequate supply" from 3 mature & 4 immature plants to 7 plants; and clarifies that 3 ounces if useable marijuana may be kept on hand.

Introduced by Evans, Har; Referred to PSM/HLT, JUD

* (a comma between committees means they are heard successively, a slash means the bill will be heard jointly)

SB 905: RELATING TO HEALTH:

Virtually identical to HB 300.

Introduced by Espero, Chun Oakland, Ihara, English; referred to HTH/PBS,WAM

HB 493: RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Increases the amount of mj a qualifying patient may have as an adequate supply from 3 to 6 mature plants, from 4 immature plants to 18 seedlings and from 1 oz. of useable mj per plant (3 oz. currently) to a total of 24 ounces. Also establishes reciprocity w/ other states having mmj laws.

Introduced by Bertram & others; referred to HLT/PSM, JUD.

MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION BILLS

SB 1296: RELATING TO MARIJUANA POSSESSION

Reclassifies possession of less than 1 oz. of mj from a petty misdemeanor to a civil violation. Imposes a fine of an unspecified amount.

Introduced by Hooser, Ihara. Referred to JDL.

HB 1711: RELATING TO MARIJUANA POSSESSION

Virtually identical to SB 1296.

Introduced by B. Oshiro, Referred to JUD.

HB 680: RELATING TO MARIJUANA POSSESSION

Reclassifies possession of less than 1 oz. of mj from a petty misdemeanor to a civil violation. Imposes a fine of a "not more than $500."

Introduced by B. Oshiro, Luke, Caldwell; referred to JUD.

SB 65: RELATING TO MARIJUANA

Very brief bill that reclassifies possession of less than 1 oz. of mj from a petty misdemeanor to a civil violation.

Introduced by Taniguchi (by request); referred to JDL.


DRUG TESTING/DRUG SNIFFING DOGS

SB 1139: RELATING TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING

Requires random drug testing of public school employees, teachers & public library employees; requires DOE to adopt rules to determine sanctions for positive drug tests. Establishes employee assistance program.

Introduced by Sakamoto; referred to EDU/JDL,WAM.

SB 211: RELATING TO ELECTED OFFICIALS

Requires testing for illegal drugs of all elected officials of the state, county, BOE and OHA. Disqualified any person who tests positive from taking office. Requires forfeiture of office upon testing positive for illegal drugs.

Introduced by Slom; referred to JDL,WAM

SB 1141: RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY

Establishes a new offense of operating a vehicle w/ a measurable amount of illegal drugs in a person's blood or urine without the need to show that the drug must have impaired the person's ability to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner. Requires drug testing for anyone arrested for DUI.

Introduced by Sakamoto; referred to TIA, JDL.

HB 1123: RELATING TO DRUGS

Establishes a program that allows drug sniffing dogs to patrol in public schools at the request of the principals. Appropriation to DOE.

Introduced by Ward, Finnegan; referred to EDN, FIN.


MISCELLANEOUS BILLS

HB 1535: RELATING TO HEMP

Legalizes and regulates possession, production and commerce involving industrial hemp.

Introduced by Shimabukuro; referred to AGR, JUD, FIN.

HB 1645: RELATING TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Requires counties to adopt a policy whereby a uniformed police officer must respond to each report from the public of suspected drug activity. Makes appropriation.

Introduced by Caldwell, B.Oshiro,Waters; referred to JUD,FIN.

SB 1115: RELATING TO PERINATAL CARE

Appropriates funds for pilot perinatal clinic within UH Medical school to help women w/ a history of substance abuse.

Introduced by Chun Oakland, Baker, Tokuda; referred to HTH/HSP,WAM.

HCR 10: REQUESTING THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL OF MAUI COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT VARIOUS MEASURES REGARDING MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE COUNTY OF MAUI.

Calls on County to: Develop a Maui County MMJ Regulation & Revenue Program to tax and regulate the sale of mj for adult use. Would qualify family framers to grow mmj for up to 200 qualifying patients. Create an allotment system for family farmers. Creates a community oversight committee. Also directs Maui police to make investigation, citation and arrest for private adult marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcment priority. Directs County to advocate for legislative change to further legalize mmj at the state and federal levels.

Introduced by Bertram and others; referred to HLT, JUD.