Hawaii Senate Committees are moving ahead with plans to establish a special fund dedicated to research on psychotropic therapies like Psilocybin and MDMA which have both been designated “breakthrough therapies” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Senate Bill 1042 from Senator Chris Lee (D) would create a state “mental health emerging therapies special fund.” It could then be used for clinical trials, public-private research partnerships and eventually patient access programs for “compassionate use”.
On Wednesday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee reported SB 499 unanimously with no amendments or objection. They approved it by 13-0 vote.
According to Hawaii state law and as defined in this measure’s text, emerging therapies refers to any psychoactive or hallucinogen substances approved for sale under federal or Hawaii state regulations as well as compounds in clinical trials pending FDA-approval.
Compassionate use would mean treating those living with terminal or life-threatening illnesses, including treatment-resistant mental health disorders.
Although the bill’s text does not specify particular conditions, a report by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee mentions depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder as widespread and impacting many in Minnesota’s community.
If the bill passes, it would require the Department of Health to submit annual progress reports to legislators.
Money for this new fund would come either from legislative appropriations, gifts from public agencies or individuals, donations from charitable foundations or grants from private sources – although currently, no funding for it has been designated in the bill’s text.
Last week, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced a plan – with its chair warning of its need for sustained funding to become law.
Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D), at that time, warned against efforts that only relied on donations as being sufficient to address concerns raised by the attorney general’s office. Donations alone won’t cut it.”
This proposal enjoys widespread support among veterans and mental health groups as well as numerous individual commenters.
Reason for Hope and Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition both testified jointly against this legislation as being “bold and necessary in its efforts to address urgent mental health needs among Veterans.
Hawaii can become a national leader by creating this fund and advisory council and aligning state regulations accordingly, according to organizations supporting veterans and first responders, who reportedly do selflessly serve our nation. Traditional treatments for PSTD or severe forms of depression often have not proven adequate enough for many veterans and first responders who serve.
Hawaii last week approved two Senate panels’ legislation which will legalize adult-use marijuana while unifying hemp and cannabis regulation under one state agency.
If passed into law, Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office would oversee adult-use, medical marijuana and hemp businesses in Hawaii. Adults 21 or over would be permitted to possess up to one ounce and five grams of cannabis concentrate respectively; additionally they could grow limited amounts at home for personal use.
Last week, Hawaii’s House of Representatives passed legislation delaying legalization legislation until next legislative session; even if Senate legalization bills advance to that body for consideration and passage.
At an earlier Senate panel hearing this week, members endorsed a proposal that will fivefold increase the maximum quantity of marijuana an individual may possess without facing legal implications.
SB 319 would increase Hawaii’s current three gram limit on decriminalized cannabis from 3 grams up to 15 grams and make possession any amount up to that limit a civil violation subject to fines up to $130.
House Committee on Labor approved unanimously last month legislation which will protect state-registered medical marijuana patients against workplace discrimination.
Poll reveals that seven out of ten Pennsylvania Voters –including most Republicans–support Marijuana Legalization.
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