Josh Green’s concerns regarding provisions that could impact on privacy are likely to prevent him from signing a bill to expand the access of medical cannabis in Hawai’i to any condition.
The Governor’s list of vetoes was released last week. HB302Medical cannabis. Among other major changes, the program would allow patients to enroll in Hawaii for any condition with the doctor’s approval.
Hawaii’s Medical Cannabis Program currently has a set of eligibility criteria that requires that patients be diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions. Last year the Governor suggested expanding Hawaii’s medical cannabis program to allow anyone to register, regardless of their health issues.
It would also allow the establishment of an provider-patient relationship through telehealth. This will increase accessibility to medical cannabis. This bill would limit the fees charged by providers of telehealth.
Governor Green is concerned about certain provisions in HB302, even though it offers many positive changes.
The HB302 bill would permit the Department of Health of the State to examine medical records of qualifying patients held by physicians, advanced practice nurses, and hospice providers who have provided written certifications to qualifying patients.
While the Governor says his administration supports efforts to expand access to medical cannabis for any condition, the provisions authorizing the inspection of patients’ medical records without a warrant constitute ‘a grave violation of privacy’.
Patients may be deterred from taking part in the program because they are afraid of the repercussions that could result from the information gathered from their medical records. states the governor’s office.
Green, a doctor by training who has spent many years caring for Big Island families, is an avid supporter of medical marijuana. He signed an order late last year directing Hawaii’s Department of Health not to pursue caregivers who cultivate cannabis on behalf of a patient. This was after an oversight with changes in Hawaii’s Medical Cannabis laws which came into force January 1.
At the end of April, this year there were 29743 Hawaii residents who had valid in-state registrations and 2,484 caregivers.