Hawaii updated the medical marijuana dispensary law on July 11, 2016. The changes give centers permission to satisfy patients’ needs without going bankrupt in the process.
Earlier this year, the central federal office in Hawaii decided to legalize marijuana dispensaries in the state. However, there were too many things left out of the original document, and the status of the dispensaries was uncertain. That is why David Ige, the governor of Hawaii since 2014, signed a bill last Monday that establishes more specific parameters for the industry, and almost everybody seems satisfied with the amendments.
One of the most praised changes benefits both patients and nurses. Under the new legislation, advance practice registered nurses will be able to certify new patients for marijuana treatments. In the past, only doctors had this privilege. However, not many people like the idea of medical marijuana, so most doctors refuse to certify people, and some of the ones who did keep in secret to avoid the public’s criticism. That scenario lets patients seeking treatment with few options, but now they can ask for an experienced nurse too.
The changes made it easier for the companies to profit from the activity
Drugs have always been associated with crime, in fact, one of the primary goals of legalizing some of them is to kill the black market. The regulations first laid made it tough for legitimate companies to make a profit from an honest practice. But that changed with the new bill, for instance, the dispensaries are going to be able to apply to tax credit write-offs. It allows these companies to present authorities with a report of expenses and losses to diminish the value of earnings. Basically, they get to pay fewer taxes, but it is important to note, they are not eligible for tax exemptions for building in enterprise areas.
Starting in 2017, these “farms” can start using transparent roofs to grow the plants under a natural light which will significantly reduce the power bill. Also, the authorities allowed the dispensaries to open on Sundays.
It will be much easier for patients to get medical weed
Not everything was adding, some of the regulations previously established were removed. For example, the caregivers and the patients no longer have to go through a background check to buy medical marijuana, they just need to be certified. Also, the officials made the product catalog bigger by making skin patches and inhalers legal. Pot cigarettes are still illegal in the stores, but any patient can just buy the raw product and roll one at home.
The University of Hawaii was given the right to carry on with marijuana testing and research, so it is just a matter of time before a lot of new studies start flowing the journals. Even the authorities gave the bill the thumbs up, as long as the companies stick to the program.
Even though the governor said the dispensaries could start operating next Friday, Hawaiians will have to wait until the end of the year. The owners of most companies stated that they didn’t have enough time to get ready since the licenses were issued in May, but they confirmed they were going to open new dispensaries in the last months of 2016.
Source: Star Adviser