HI HR51

Requests the State Auditor to conduct a sunrise review of establishing a system of registered dispensaries within the Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana, as proposed in H.B. No. 1587.

Auditor review must examine qualifications and duties of dispensaries, registration requirements for dispensaries to possess and cultivate medical marijuana, and registration requirements for patients and primary caregivers.

Auditor review must include analysis of dispensary agent registration (including criminal record checks), criminal background verification requirements, and protections for patients, caregivers, dispensaries, and agents.

Auditor must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2015 Regular Session convenes.

Cites Hawaii's 2000 Medical Use of Marijuana Law and a 2010 Medical Cannabis Working Group recommendation that identified patients' lack of safe, legal access to medical marijuana as a critical issue requiring a distribution system.