Hawaii Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Support Psychedelic Research And Access Programs; Funding Issues Still Remain – MEDCAN24

Last week, Hawaii Senate committee advanced a proposal that would establish a special fund to facilitate clinical research utilizing substances like Psilocybin and MDMA–both granted breakthrough therapy status by FDA–in clinical settings.
Senate Bill 1042 introduced by Sen. Chris Lee (D), would create a state mental health emerging therapies special fund and allow it to subsidize clinical trials, establish public-private research partnerships and eventually develop state programs addressing patient access for compassionate use of medications.
As defined by Hawaii state law and FDA-approved clinical trials, “emerging therapies” refers to any psychedelic or hallucinogen substances approved under Hawaii state law as well as compounds currently participating in FDA clinical trials.
“Compassionate use,” on the other hand, would refer to providing treatment to patients suffering from terminal or life-threatening conditions – including treatment-resistant mental health disorders – including terminal illnesses that cannot be effectively managed with traditional medical approaches.
Though not explicitly named in the bill itself, reports from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee refers to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder as widely prevalent and impacting millions worldwide and many within Massachusetts’ community.
If passed, this bill would mandate that the Department of Health submit annual progress reports to legislators.
Money for this fund would come either through legislative appropriations, gifts from public agencies or donations from private individuals; or from gifts given through gifts/donations programs and grants programs from both public agencies as well as non-public ones. Unfortunately, however, no specific fund money was designated in its current form of the bill to finance such an account. For further clarification please watch this YouTube clip:

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That could prove problematic for its proponents, according to Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D). Donations alone won’t suffice in meeting Attorney General concerns.
If lawmakers intend to pass it, San Buenaventura reinforced this advice: “This bill won’t pass with blank spaces left unfilled in it,” she noted.
Prior to voting on SB 1042 (now headed towards the Senate Ways and Means Committee), members adopted an amendment adding an effective date of December 31, 2050; this ensured further discussion before becoming law.
This proposal enjoys support from various veterans and mental health groups as well as numerous individual commenters.
Reason for Hope and Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition both provided testimony supporting this legislation as “an innovative, proactive step to meet our veterans’ pressing mental health needs.
Hawaii can become a national leader by creating this fund, advisory council and state regulatory alignment within timely periods, to provide innovative lifesaving treatments to veterans and first responders who have served our nation valiantly, according to organizations involved. Traditional treatments for PSTD or severe forms of depression often do not suffice in treating veterans and first responders’ conditions like PSTD/depression effectively.
Last week in Hawaii, two Senate committees passed legislation legalizing adult use marijuana while unifying hemp and cannabis regulations under one state agency.
If passed into law, Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office would oversee adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis and hemp businesses in Hawaii. Adults 21 or over would be permitted to possess up to an ounce and five grams of cannabis concentrate respectively for personal use, along with growing limited amounts for personal use at home.
Hawaii’s House of Representatives had just passed a measure delaying Hawaii’s legalization proposal until next legislative session; even if Senate legislation advances to that body for consideration and passage is pursued there.
Early this week, a Senate panel approved a measure that will permit possessors of up to five times as much marijuana without incurring criminal penalties.
SB 319 proposes expanding Hawaii’s current 3-gram limit of decriminalized cannabis possession up to 15 grams; possession of anything under this amount remains civilly illegal and punishable with a $130 fine.
Last month, the House Committee on Labor voted unanimously to advance legislation protecting state-registered medical marijuana patients from discrimination in the workplace. Meanwhile, Swiss Lawmakers Have Approved Plan To Legalise And Regulate Marijuana