A Hawaii state Senate committee has granted preliminary approval to a bill authorizing the sale of edible medical cannabis products.
Even if the bill passes the Legislature, the products are unlikely to be legally available in the state for many months, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday.
Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health Committee Chairwoman Rosalyn Baker, a Democrat, said the state Department of Health would have to develop rules and regulations before edible cannabis products can be sold.
The health department would set guidelines on dosages, ingredients and packaging.
The bill would authorize licensed dispensaries to sell edible cannabis products that include child-resistant packaging and proper labeling.
More than half of cannabis programs in other states require preapproval of edible products and restrict the ir ingredients or flavorings, the department said.
Tuesday's amendments to the bill gave the Hawaii health department authority to preapprove any edibles and impose limits on ingredients, flavorings and additives, Baker said.
The bill was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Sales of cannabis edibles are opposed by the Honolulu Police Department and the state Department of Transportation. Transportation officials warn that edible cannabis products may not affect users until hours after they are consumed.
The measure is backed by the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association, which represents the state's eight licensed medical cannabis dispensaries.
