RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Removed the requirement that initial physician-patient relationships be established through in-person consultations, allowing telehealth to be used for certifying patients for medical cannabis use.

Added new provisions allowing dispensaries to purchase cannabis from other dispensaries for direct retail sale to patients, with specific transport limits and manifest requirements.

Created a new cannabis cultivator license program authorizing cultivation and distribution of cannabis plants to dispensaries, with limits on number of licenses, plant canopy size, and plant count.

Added criminal penalties for unlicensed dispensary operations and cultivation, including cease-and-desist notice requirements before criminal proceedings and affirmative defenses for certain violations.

Added new definitions for 'debilitating medical condition' and 'waiting room' to clarify program requirements and dispensary operations.

Changed the effective date from July 1, 3000 to December 31, 2050, and updated the sunset provision for telehealth provisions to align with existing law.

Added appropriations from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund for the Department of Attorney General to enforce and mitigate nuisances related to the medical cannabis program.

Removed the requirement for an initial in-person consultation to establish a physician-patient relationship; telehealth consultations are now permitted.

Modified the temporary purchase authorization process to allow patients to use their submitted certification form as proof of eligibility before receiving the physical registration card.

Added a provision requiring that all written certifications originate from within the State of Hawaii.

Set the effective date as July 1, 3000, with a specific exception that the telehealth provision in section 453-1.3(c) will not be repealed when that section is reenacted on December 31, 2025.

Eliminates the requirement for an initial in-person consultation to establish a provider-patient relationship, allowing telehealth consultations for cannabis certifications.

Allows applicants and primary caregivers to make one-time purchases of up to 50% of dispensing limits after submitting certification forms but before receiving official registration cards.

Adds definition of 'primary treating medical provider' and clarifies requirements for written certifications including patient information and grow location addresses.

Authorizes the Department of Health to inspect qualifying patients' medical records held by physicians and to suspend or revoke certification abilities for providers who refuse inspection or have non-compliant records.

Sets effective date as July 1, 3000, with a provision that telehealth certification standards remain in effect until December 31, 2025, if not reenacted.

Removed the requirement for an initial in-person consultation to establish a physician-patient relationship for medical cannabis certification, allowing telehealth consultations instead.

Authorized the Department of Health to inspect qualifying patients' medical records held by physicians, nurses, or hospice providers who issued certifications.

Established criminal penalties including class C felonies for operating unlicensed medical cannabis dispensaries and misdemeanors for unlicensed online advertising of cannabis sales.

Added new definitions for 'primary treating medical provider' and 'written certification' to clarify medical cannabis program requirements.

Appropriated $750,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund enforcement positions and nuisance abatement programs.

Set effective date of July 1, 2025, with cannabis cultivator license prohibition delayed until January 1, 2028.

Authorized retail dispensing locations to sell hemp products and accessories to medical cannabis patients, except in waiting rooms.