HI SCR221

Requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study examining the relationship between medical cannabis prices, access to legal dispensaries, and the volume of illicit cannabis sales in Hawaii.

Notes that licensed dispensaries hold only 31 percent market share among registered medical cannabis patients, with 69 percent (over 20,000 patients) purchasing from illicit markets or home cultivation.

Identifies that from 2018 to 2021, only 26.5 percent of 13,851 newly registered medical cannabis patients purchased from licensed dispensaries.

Cites limited legal access as a contributing factor, with only 8 dispensary licenses statewide allowing maximum 2 retail locations each, resulting in 16 total retail dispensing locations.

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2023 Regular Session convenes.