Full Text of Hawaii's Medical Marijuana Law

Full Text of Hawaii’s Medical Marijuana Law

The Hawai`i Medical Marijuana Act

CHAPTER 329. [NEW] UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT

PART IX. MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

[§329-121]. Definitions

As used in this part:

“Adequate supply” means an amount of marijuana jointly possessed between the qualifying patient and the primary caregiver that is not more than is reasonably necessary to assure the uninterrupted availability of marijuana for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms or effects of a qualifying patient’ s debilitating medical condition; provided that an “adequate supply” shall not exceed three mature marijuana plants, four immature marijuana plants, and one ounce of usable marijuana per each mature plant.

“Debilitating medical condition” means:

(1) Cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or the treatment of these conditions;

(2) A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:

(A) Cachexia or wasting syndrome;

(B) Severe pain;

(D) Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy; or

(E) Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease; or

(3) Any other medical condition approved by the department of health pursuant to administrative rules in response to a request from a physician or potentially qualifying patient.

“Marijuana” shall have the same meaning as “marijuana” and “marijuana concentrate” as provided in sections 329-1 and 712-1240.

“Medical use” means the acquisition, possession, cultivation, use, distribution, or transportation of marijuana or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marijuana to alleviate the symptoms or effects of a qualifying patient’ s debilitating medical condition. For the purposes of “medical use”, the term distribution is limited to the transfer of marijuana and paraphernalia from the primary caregiver to the qualifying patient.

“Physician” means a person who is licensed under chapters 453 and 460, and is licensed with authority to prescribe drugs and is registered under section 329-32. “Physician” does not include physician’s assistant as described in section 453-5.3.

“Primary caregiver” means a person, other than the qualifying patient and the qualifying patient’s physician, who is eighteen years-of-age or older who has agreed to undertake responsibility for managing the well-being of the qualifying patient with respect to the medical use of marijuana. In the case of a minor or an adult lacking legal capacity, the primary caregiver shall be a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody.

“Qualifying patient” means a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition.

“Usable marijuana” means the dried leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis family Moraceae, and any mixture of preparation thereof, that are appropriate for the medical use of marijuana. “Usable marijuana” does not include the seeds, stalks, and roots of the plant.

“Written certification” means the qualifying patient’s medical records or a statement signed by a qualifying patient’s physician, stating that in the physician’s professional opinion, the qualifying patient has a debilitating medical condition and the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks for the qualifying patient. The department of public safety may require, through its rulemaking authority, that all written certifications comply with a designated form. “Written certifications” are valid for only one year from the time of signing.

[§329-122]. Medical use of marijuana; conditions of use

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient shall be permitted only

if:

(1) The qualifying patient has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition;

(2) The qualifying patient’s physician has certified in that, in the physician’s professional opinion the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks for the particular qualifying patient; and

(3) The amount of marijuana does not exceed an adequate supply.

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a qualifying patient under the age of eighteen years, unless:

(1) The qualifying patient’s physician has explained the

potential risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana to

the qualifying patient and to a parent, guardian, or person

having legal custody of the qualifying patient; and

(2) A parent, guardian, or person having legal custody

consents in writing to:

(A) Allow the qualifying patient’s the medical use of marijuana;

(B) Serve as the qualifying patient’s primary

caregiver; and

dosage, and the frequency of the medical use of marijuana

by the qualifying patient.

section shall not apply to:

(1) The medical use of marijuana that endangers the

health or well-being of another person;

(2) The medical use of marijuana:

(A) In a school bus, public bus, or any moving

vehicle;

(B) In the workplace of one’s employment;

(D) At any public park, public beach, public

recreation center, recreation or youth center; or

(E) Other place open to the public; and primary caregiver for purposes other than medical use permitted by this chapter.

[§329-123]. Registration requirements

(a) Physicians who issue written certification shall register the names, addresses, patient identification numbers, and other identifying information of the patients issued written certifications with the department of public safety.

(b) Qualifying patients shall register with the department of public safety. Such registration shall be effective until the expiration of the certificate issued by the physician. Every qualifying patient shall provide sufficient identifying information to establish personal identity of the qualifying patient and the primary caregiver. Qualifying patients shall report changes in information within five working days. Every qualifying patient shall have only one primary caregiver at any given time. The department shall then issue to the qualifying patient a registration certificate, and may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed $25.

(c) Primary caregivers shall register with the department of public safety. Every primary caregiver shall be responsible for the care of only one qualifying patient at any given time.

(d) Upon an inquiry by a law enforcement agency, the department of public safety shall verify whether the particular qualifying patient has registered with the department and may provide reasonable access to the registry information for official law enforcement purposes.

[§329-124]. Insurance not applicable

This part shall not be construed to require insurance coverage for the medical use of marijuana.

[§329-125]. Protections afforded to a qualifying patient or primary caregiver

(a) A qualifying patient or the primary caregiver may assert the medical use of marijuana as an affirmative defense to any prosecution involving marijuana under this chapter or chapter 712; provided that the qualifying patient or the primary caregiver strictly complied with the requirements of this part.

(b) Any qualifying patient or primary caregiver not complying with the permitted scope of the medical use of marijuana shall not be afforded the protections against searches and seizures pertaining to the misapplication of the medical use of marijuana.

(c) No person shall be subject to arrest or prosecution for simply being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of marijuana as permitted under this part.

[§329-126]. Protections afforded to a treating physician

No physician shall be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner or denied any right or privilege for providing written certification for the medical use of marijuana for a qualifying patient; provided that:

(1) The physician has diagnosed the patient as having a

debilitating medical condition, as defined in section 329-121;

(2) The physician has explained the potential risks and

benefits of the medical use of marijuana, as required under

section 329-122;

(3) The written certification is based upon the

physician’s professional opinion after having completed a full

assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical

condition made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient

relationship; and

(4) The physician has complied with the registration

requirements of section 329-123.

[§329-127]. Protection of marijuana and other seized property

Marijuana, paraphernalia, or other property seized from a qualifying patient or primary caregiver in connection with a claimed medical use of marijuana under this part shall be returned immediately upon the determination by a court that the qualifying patient or primary caregiver is entitled to the protections of this part, as evidenced by a decision not to prosecute, dismissal of charges, or an acquittal; provided that law enforcement agencies seizing live plants as evidence shall not be responsible for the care and maintenance of such plants.

[§329-128]. Fraudulent misrepresentation; penalty

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, fraudulent misrepresentation to a law enforcement official of any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of marijuana to avoid arrest or prosecution under this part or c1apter 712 shall be a petty misdemeanor and subject to a fine of $500.

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, fraudulent misrepresentation to a law enforcement official of any fact or circumstance relating to the issuance of a written certificate by a physician not covered under section 329-126 for the medical use of marijuana shall be a misdemeanor. This penalty shall be in addition to any other penalties that may apply for the nonmedical use of marijuana. Nothing in this section is intended to preclude the conviction of any person under section 710-1060 or for any other offense under part V of chapter 710.

CHAPTER 453. MEDICINE AND SURGERY

PART I. GENERALLY

§ 453-8. Revocation, limitation, suspension, or denial of licenses

(a) In addition to any other actions authorized by law, any license to practice medicine and surgery may be revoked, limited, or suspended by the board at any time in a proceeding before the board, or may be denied, for any cause authorized by law, including but not limited to the following:

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(13) Violation of chapter 329, the uniform controlled substances act, or any rule adopted thereunder except as provided in section 329-122;

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§ 712-1240.1. Defense to promoting

* * * * (2) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for any marijuana-related offense defined in this part that the person who possessed or distributed the marijuana was authorized to possess or distribute the marijuana for medical purposes pursuant to part IX of chapter 329.

Offense	Penalty	Incarceration	Max. Fine
Possession
Personal Use
Less than 1 oz.	Misdemeanor	30 days	$1,000
1 oz. to 1 lb.	Misdemeanor	1 year	$2,000
With Intent To Distribute
1 lb to 2 lbs	Felony	5 years	$10,000
2 lbs to 25 lbs.	Felony	10 years	$25,000
25 lbs. or more	Felony	20 years	$50,000
Within 750 feet of school grounds or a park, or on or within 10 feet of a parked school vehicle.	Felony	5 years	$10,000
Sale or Delivery
Less than 1 oz.	Misdemeanor	1 year	$2,000
1 oz. to 1 lb.	Felony	5 years	$10,000
1 lb. to 5 lbs.	Felony	10 years	$25,000
5 lbs. or more	Felony	20 years	$50,000
Within 750 feet of school grounds or a park, or on or within 10 feet of a parked school vehicle.	Felony	5 years	$10,000
Cultivation
25-50 plants	Felony	5 years	$10,000
50-100 plants	Felony	10 years	$25,000
100 or more plants	Felony	20 years	$50,000
Less than 25 plants on another’s property.	Felony	10 years	$25,000
More than 25 plants on another’s property.	Felony	20 years	$50,000
In a structure where a minor under 16 years is present carries additional penalty.
Hash & Concentrates
Possession	Misdemeanor	1 year	$2,000
Distribution	Felony	10 years	$25,000
Civil Asset Forfeiture
Vehicles and other assets can be seized in a civil proceeding, regardless of whether criminal charges are brought.
Miscellaneous (license suspensions, civil damages, etc…)
Promoting through a minor	Felony	10 years	$25,000
Within school grounds, school vehicles, or a public park.	Felony	20 years	$50,000
Discovery of marijuana in a vehicle may result in each occupant being charged with possession.