H.C.R. No. 199 - Summary

• Medical cannabis is not covered by health insurance despite being used to treat conditions including cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

• The Medical Cannabis Insurance Reimbursement Working Group, established by Act 161 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2018), submitted a report for the 2019 Regular Session but identified that additional work remains due to the complexity of the issue.

• The working group is requested to continue its work and provide periodic updates to the Legislature with recommendations for legislative or administrative action regarding health insurance reimbursement for medical cannabis.

• The working group must submit a final report with recommendations for further action to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020.

• Certified copies of the resolution shall be transmitted to the Director of Health, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Commissioner, and Administrator of the Med-Quest Division of the Department of Human Services.