Latest news with #HB1246
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Noa Botanicals Opens 4th Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Waikiki on 4/19, Just in Time for National '420' Celebrations
Waikiki houses the largest percentage of medical cannabis program registrants in Hawaii 'We deeply respect our relationship with our patients and partners and I'm especially proud of our commitment to our local roots.'— Karlyn Laulusa, CEO, Noa Botanicals HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES, April 21, 2025 / / -- Noa Botanicals ('Noa'), a leading medical cannabis dispensary on the island of Oahu, is excited to announce the opening of their fourth medical dispensary in Waikiki on Saturday, April 19th, at 10am local time, just in time for '420,' the national day for celebrating marijuana*. Noa Waikiki is located at 345 Royal Hawaiian Avenue, facing DFS Waikiki, and will be open daily 10am-7pm. A grand opening is planned for the summer. Chief Executive Officer Karlyn Laulusa says that Noa opened their first location on Young Street in 2016, then expanded to open the first medical dispensaries in both Windward and West Oahu. Currently, medical cannabis dispensaries are only allowed by the State of Hawaii to open up to four retail dispensaries, so Noa is deploying their last allowable location in an area that has the highest patient registry in Hawaii. Laulusa's vision for Noa is to be Hawaii's premier pakalolo (marijuana) provider, one that celebrates the unique diversity of Hawaii's cultural heritage. Under her leadership, Noa Botanicals has strengthened its position as a trusted source of safe, quality cannabis products while continuing to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment dedicated to building meaningful bonds with patients, partners, and the islandʻs communities. 'We deeply respect our relationship with our patients and partners and I'm especially proud of our commitment to our local roots,' said Laulusa. 'We work very hard to cultivate ohana (family) in all that we do by supporting local and buying local whenever possible - even our store design reflects this commitment. We have used locally sourced, milled, and crafted monkeypod wood provided by Josh Bowels of Lyric Woodwork in Wahiawa. The wood was harvested from Kualoa Ranch where, during WWII, the treesʻ ancestors were used for various purposes, including serving as natural hangars for small planes. 'We've also partnered with Dalani Tanahy, a celebrated local kapa artist, who has been making kapa for over 30-years. The custom piece reflects Noa's values like embracing kuleana (responsibility) and being pono (fair, just, true),' added Laulusa. As CEO, Laulusa has joined the decades-long fight for adult use cannabis legalization in Hawaii. While Hawaii was the first state to allow medicinal cannabis in 2000, the latest legalization bill (HB1246, drafted by Rep. David Tarnas) died after a recommittal on the House floor. 'Twenty-six states and three territories have legalized adult-use cannabis. Many added funding to education and other public benefits, addressed the residual harm the war on cannabis inflicted on many, and structured the industry to support local economies. I hope that Hawaii follows suit,' she said. Laulusa is hopeful that current legislation still alive at the Capitol will strengthen enforcement against illegal operators which have been proliferating, especially in Waikiki, and remove the high barrier to entry medical programs so patients have easier access to safe, tested, quality marijuana. About Noa Botanicals Noa Botanicals was one of the first medicinal cannabis dispensaries in Hawaii, operating since 2016. The company operates a production center, greenhouse, and four retail dispensary locations on Oahu. Noa is proud to be the first licensee to open Windward and West Oahu locations, and now has two locations in Honolulu - their original location on Young Street, and their newest in the heart of Waikiki. Learn more at *April 20th is a national day to celebrate the smoking of marijuana. As the story goes, in 1971, a group of high school students in San Rafael, California would regularly meet up after school at 4:20pm to try and locate an unattended plot of cannabis plants and smoke marijuana. Mona K. Wood-Sword IKAIKA Communications...a powerful little pr company +1 808-218-5546 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Legal recreational cannabis must come with medical protections': Dr. Otto
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The fight over whether to legalize cannabis for recreational use is more often than not couched in issues that are also directly related to alcohol consumption. But whether alcohol will remain legal, although it poses many, many more risks than cannabis, is not in question. One thing that is not often heard in these arguments is the need to protect those who use medical Hawaiʻi, the conversation around cannabis legalization is heating up, with the state grappling with whether to fully legalize recreational cannabis. However, one of the major issues at the forefront is how such legislation might affect Hawaiʻi's Medical Cannabis Program and, more importantly, the patients who rely on medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Dr. Clifton Otto, an ophthalmologist and medical cannabis advocate and activist, has been deeply involved in the ongoing discussions surrounding cannabis legalization, especially in regard to its impact on those who depend on it for medical reasons. Dr. Otto's journey into the world of medical cannabis advocacy began in 2011 when he witnessed firsthand how cannabis could benefit a family friend undergoing chemotherapy. He explained, 'I saw how medical cannabis helped him prepare for chemotherapy and surgery, and it played a major role in his recovery.' He was struck by how cannabis helped his friend maintain his appetite and immune system and ultimately prevented secondary infections that can be fatal for cancer patients. That experience inspired Dr. Otto to dig deeper into the science of medical cannabis, and he began advocating for more comprehensive protections for patients under Hawaiʻi's Medical Cannabis Program. Dr. Otto's concerns are particularly relevant in light of the proposed HB1246, which seeks to decriminalize adult use cannabis by 2026 and regulate it under the newly established Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Office. 'While adult use legalization might seem like an obvious step, we need to address the impact this could have on our medical cannabis program,' Dr. Otto said. 'It's not as simple as just broadening access. We risk undermining the patient protections that are currently in place.' One of Dr. Otto's key concerns is the potential removal of medical supervision under an adult-use program. 'Cannabis is not like alcohol or tobacco,' he pointed out. 'It can cause acute psychosis in some people, especially with high-THC products. That's why medical supervision is crucial for ensuring that patients use cannabis safely and effectively.' Under the current medical cannabis program, patients are required to have ongoing medical supervision, which Dr. Otto sees as essential. 'When we remove medical oversight, we open the door to potential misuse and harm.' He went on to explain that while products marketed as 'sativa' or 'indica' may sound straightforward, they often don't account for how individual patients respond to cannabis. 'Everyone reacts differently,' Dr. Otto said. 'Some people who use so-called sativa strains end up getting sleepy, and some people using indica strains get overly stimulated. The variability in how people respond to cannabis makes individualized guidance all the more important.' Dr. Otto's concern isn't just about the dangers of recreational cannabis use; it's about the medical needs of vulnerable patients. 'When patients use cannabis, they often do so to self-medicate for conditions like anxiety, depression, or insomnia,' he explained. 'That's why I don't believe in the concept of 'recreational use.' People are seeking relief, not just a high.' He advocates for treating cannabis as medicine and ensuring that those who rely on it for therapeutic purposes are protected under the law. In his view, a dual-use cannabis system where both medical and adult-use programs coexist can work, but only if safeguards are in place. 'We can't throw away the protections that medical patients need just to make cannabis more accessible for the general public,' Dr. Otto said. 'That would be a huge disservice to those who rely on it for health reasons.' Dr. Otto also highlighted a significant issue in Hawaiʻi's cannabis legislation: the federal government's ongoing classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug. 'Because cannabis is still federally illegal, patients and dispensaries in Hawaiʻi face a unique set of challenges. They may not be arrested, but their lives are disrupted in other ways, whether it's employment issues, access to federal housing or even medical care,' he said. 'It's time that we seriously address these problems instead of just applying temporary fixes.' This need for clarity and consistency in the law is one of the reasons Dr. Otto has been working with the Hawaiʻi legislature for over a decade. He has advocated for reforms to the Medical Cannabis Program to make it more patient-friendly, including addressing the federal issues surrounding cannabis. 'If we had been more proactive in seeking federal clarification when the program was first established, we wouldn't be in this situation today,' he lamented. HB1246, if passed, could have far-reaching implications for both adult-use and medical cannabis programs. Dr. Otto believes that while there are arguments in favor of adult-use legalization, such as increasing access for patients, these arguments often overlook the potential risks. 'We need to work out the kinks in our medical program first,' he said. 'There are still significant problems with patient access, dispensary limitations, and legal uncertainties that we must address before expanding cannabis use to the general public.' Dr. Otto's message is clear: while adult-use legalization might be inevitable, it cannot come at the expense of medical cannabis patients. 'We must protect the integrity of the medical program. It's not just about making cannabis available; it's about making it available in a way that is safe and beneficial for those who need it the most.' Ultimately, Dr. Otto believes the solution lies in creating a robust medical cannabis framework that can coexist with adult-use programs. He noted that states can retain authority over medical use, which is a matter of public health, while also allowing for adult use under a separate framework. 'What I envision is a state-run medical cannabis program that is protected from federal interference,' Dr. Otto said. 'This way, we can ensure that those who need cannabis for medical reasons have access to it without sacrificing patient protections.' As Hawaiʻi moves forward with the discussion around HB1246, Dr. Otto's perspective serves as a valuable reminder that the needs of medical cannabis patients must remain a priority. 'We can't forget the people who rely on cannabis to live healthier, safer lives,' he said. 'Their access to medical cannabis is not just a policy issue; it's a matter of their health and well-being.' The debate surrounding cannabis legalization in Hawaiʻi is far from over, but Dr. Otto's advocacy continues to shine a light on the importance of protecting medical cannabis patients in the process. You can click to learn more about HB1246 and to watch an informational briefing from Jan. 29. You can click to learn more about Dr. Otto. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 As lawmakers consider HB1246, it's crucial to remember that any decision made must prioritize patient safety and care while navigating the complexities of cannabis law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Marijuana legalization gets initial approval from 2 House committees in Hawaii Legislature
When David Tarnas first served in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives some 30 years ago, marijuana was already a major topic of discussion. The state has long since allowed for medical cannabis use and more recently its sale at dispensaries — and has decriminalized possession of up to 3 grams of pot for all adults. And yet, state legislators are still wrestling with what to do about the recreational use of paka lōlō. The issue is back again this session in the form of House Bill 1246, which would legalize the personal use of marijuana for people 21 years of age and older beginning in 2026. But HB 1246 goes beyond legalization. It calls for creating a new state agency within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate adult use of recreational and medical marijuana, and hemp, which contains low levels of THC, the active ingredient that gets people high. That regulation would include taxing retail sales. Tarnas, who lost a reelection bid in 1998 but was elected again in 2018 to represent his Big Island district, is the key figure on cannabis legislation. On Tuesday, the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee that he chairs passed HB 1246, as did the House Agriculture and Food Systems Committee. Tarnas, who authored the bill, has spent many months crafting it with extensive input from sources including mainland experts familiar with cannabis laws in states such as Massachusetts. Hawaiʻi's approach must be comprehensive and legally sound, he said. To help people better understand the bill, his committee's website offers a compendium of information including a section of FAQs. HB 1246 is lengthy and detailed — nearly 50,000 words. It has two more House committees to clear, including the powerful Finance Committee. Dollar figures in HB 1246 for hiring staff in what would be the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Office are currently blank, as is common at the early stage of the bill hearing process in Hawaiʻi. The same goes for many other money requests in the bill for setting up a state cannabis testing facility and a public health and education program. If HB 1246 clears the House, it has to go through the same process in the other chamber. Its Senate companion, Senate Bill 1613, has not been scheduled for a hearing, suggesting that senators are letting the House take the lead for now. Hovering above all of this is the fact that marijuana remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level, placing it along with heroin, LSD, Ecstasy and peyote. They are considered substances with 'no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,' according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. There seems to be some momentum to remove pot from Schedule I status, as well as growing recognition that other drugs on the list may have medical use. But their legal and medical statuses remain in flux. Still, Tarnas wants to see Hawaiʻi join the 24 other states and the District of Columbia that have legalized recreational use for adults. At an informational briefing last week, he called his measure 'an important matter.' Hawaiʻi was not ready for such a bill 30 years ago, he said, but 'we are getting closer.' Tax And Regulate Other measures in the 2025 Legislature address cannabis, but only one calls for allowing recreational use: a proposed constitutional amendment that would put the question of legalization before voters. The ConAm, which will die if it is not heard before an internal legislative deadline next week, also would give the Legislature the power to regulate and tax the possession, distribution and use of pot — the core of Tarnas's bill. HB 1246 contends that times have changed and that the decisions by some states to legalize pot use were motivated 'by a variety of compelling reasons.' They include prioritization of more serious crimes, advancements in criminal justice reform, evolving public opinion and social equity concerns. According to the bill, the states that have legalized recreational use 'have witnessed substantial benefits from the revenue generated through taxes, including use and licensing fees, as well as general excise and sales taxes on the non-medical adult-use cannabis industry.' HB 1246 proposes a 'dual-system program' for legalization for medical and recreational pot, something recommended by a 2021 task force. It essentially treats all types of marijuana as 'one plant,' as Tarnas explained during the hearing Tuesday. The bill notes that the federal 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from from Schedule I in order to foster development of hemp-derived products and industrial hemp — 'a high-value crop with the potential to generate significant and diverse revenues for Hawaiʻi.' HB 1246 also makes clear that the Hawaiʻi attorney general, the state Department of Law Enforcement and county police departments will continue to play an important role by cracking down on black market operations. Tarnas based the current legislation on a similar measure that died last session, Senate Bill 3335. Authored by Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, it passed the Senate and two House committees, including Tarnas's judiciary committee. But 23 of the 51 House members voted against SB 3335, including current House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan. (Quinlan on Tuesday voted in favor of HB 1246.) House Finance Committee Chair Kyle Yamashita, who still leads the powerful panel, chose not to hear the bill after the March 22 floor vote, killing it. Pros And Cons As has been the case in sessions past, the public weighed in heavily on the issue. Written testimony on HB 1246 before it was heard Tuesday totaled almost 300 pages. Tarnas said it showed 96 people in support and 135 opposed. By now, the pro and con arguments are familiar. Pro arguments: cannabis has health benefits, it should be legal just like alcohol, it's already widely available illegally, it could create jobs and revenue for the state, and legalization is the trend nationally. Con arguments: cannabis is illegal at the federal level, it is much stronger than the pot of the past, it is more harmful to health then beneficial, it will lead to harder substance abuse, and it will hurt youth most. Supporters of HB 1246 included the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, which said in its testimony that the creation of the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Office would ensure 'a centralized and well-structured regulatory framework, providing clear oversight on cultivation, sales, taxation, and consumer safety.' The party said that consolidating responsibilities within the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture would streamline governance, reduce redundancy and improve efficiency. 'The bill also takes critical steps to ensure public safety, including new traffic offenses relating to cannabis consumption and possession,' the party said. 'Establishing clear guidelines on responsible use, similar to alcohol regulations, will help mitigate risks associated with impaired driving and underage consumption.' But Steve Alm, the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, warned marijuana may cause increased psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and more risk of suicide. Legalizing pot also leads to a greater number of car collisions and emergency and hospital admissions, impaired cognitive and memory functions, chronic vomiting, environmental harms, loss of IQ, increased risk of heart attacks and strokes 'and sharp increases in calls to poison centers for children who have eaten marijuana edibles which typically look like candy or sweets,' Alm said in written testimony that was in part repeated at the hearing. Alm said he was testifying as an official whose No. 1 job is protecting people. 'Do we really want to be in the addiction for profit business?' he asked. 'Do we want to teach our kids that? For a few extra tax dollars?' Written and oral testimony included comments from the half dozen or more state agencies that would be directly impacted should HB 1246 become law. Andrew Goff, deputy Hawaiʻi attorney general, expressed a major concern of the agencies: They would prefer an 18-month lead time before rolling the new program out instead of the six months called for in the bill. 'We note initially that this bill contains blanked-out appropriations,' Goff said. 'If the Legislature decides to legalize cannabis, it is essential that funds be appropriated for the timely implementation of a substantial regulatory program and for law enforcement, nuisance abatement, and a public-education campaign prior to legalization, among other things.' Tarnas said the bill would ensure that a public education campaign was launched before the program took effect. A soon-to-be amended version of the bill will take into consideration agency and other concerns, he said. HB 1246 now awaits a hearing by the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee. ___
