Hawaii Gov. Vetoes Medical Cannabis Telehealth Bill Over Privacy Concerns

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed
medical cannabis patients to get certified by a physician for the state’s
cannabis program via telehealth, established criminal penalties for
unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary, and prohibited
cannabis cultivation without a Department of Health-issued permit.

In his veto message, Green, a medical doctor, focused on the bill’s
telehealth provisions, claiming that they authorize “the inspection of
patients’ medical records without warrant,” which constitutes “a grave
violation of privacy.”

“Given that the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I
substance, patients’ reasonable fears of repercussions based upon
information gained from inspection of their personal medical records may
deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.” — Green
in the veto message

The message did not outline any opposition to other provisions in the bill
but noted that Green’s administration “remains committed to Hawai‘i’s
existing medical cannabis program and supports efforts to expand access to
medical cannabis for any medical condition.”

In April, Hawaii House lawmakers took aim at shops selling intoxicating
hemp-derived products. In a resolution, the chamber said that there are
more than 84 “illegal dispensary operators” in the state and that the
number is increasing “exponentially.” The bill vetoed by Green focused on
illegally operating medical cannabis dispensaries, but did not address
shops selling intoxicating hemp products.