HI HCR137

Requests the Director of Agriculture to convene a meeting with the State Land Use Commission Chair, State Commission on Water Resource Management Chair, and county planning departments to discuss potential impacts of medical marijuana production centers and dispensaries authorized under House Bill 321 or Senate Bill 1302.

Expresses concern that proposed medical marijuana legislation contains language that would prevent county zoning ordinances and state agricultural regulations from restricting medical marijuana operations once licensed by the Department of Health.

Warns that medical marijuana could become Hawaii's dominant cash crop due to high market prices ($1,500-$5,000 per pound) compared to traditional agricultural crops like macadamia nuts and coffee.

Identifies potential threats to Hawaii's agricultural sustainability policy, including uncontrolled water usage impacts on watersheds, aquifers, and stream flows that could affect traditional farming regions like windward Oahu and Maui.

Urges meeting participants to recommend veto of medical marijuana legislation if they determine it would jeopardize sustainable agriculture policy or threaten viability of existing agricultural businesses.