HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GREDC 003 2015/11/17 (2014-2016) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: November 17, 2015 Re: Comm. No. 558/Res. No. 338-15
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:51 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development, to which was referred
Resolution No. 338-15, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 338-15, transmitted by Council Member Margaret Wille, via Communication
No. 558, dated October 27, 2015, urges the Hawai`i State Legislature to amend Act 241, relating
to medical marijuana, to address production centers in agricultural zoned lands and prohibitions
on primary caregivers. The amendment would allow each county to adopt further regulations
relating to where a medical marijuana production center can be located; and would allow a
patient's registered primary caregiver to provide medical marijuana or manufactured marijuana
products to one qualifying patient.
There were five people who testified on this resolution. One person from each of the following
locations: Hilo, Kona, Ka`u, Kohala, Kona, and Pahoa.
Both Resolution No. 338-15 and Resolution No. 339-15 were read in to record. Council Member
Wille made a motion to approve Resolution No. 338-15, seconded by Council Member Paleka.
Council Member Wille expressed her thoughts on three points: (1) the County should have some
say in terms of location of the production centers/dispensaries; (2) to remove the prohibition
against eliminating the primary caregivers program; and (3) a county tax of up to five percent.
Council Member Paleka shared his concern regarding the primary caregivers program being
phased out in 2018. Het thinks it is a bad move and expressed support of the caregivers program.
Council Chair Kanuha said he had concerns when this bill was going through the legislature. He
agrees that the counties should have had a greater involvement within the bill and that the county
should have a greater say over where the production centers and dispensaries are on agricultural
land. He also stated his agreement with Council Members Paleka and Wille regarding
caregivers. He said, if this is a way to tell the legislature that we do care more about what is
happening, then it's a step in the right direction.
GREDC Rept. No.: 3
GREDC-3 Page 2 November 17, 2015
Council Member Eoff said she could support this resolution after listening to fellow council
members, testifiers and also speaking with some State Representatives and Senators.
Council Member David shared her thoughts that this Resolution does have the ring of home rule.
She also stated support of caregivers.
Council Member Onishi said he would save his comments until council but stated that when this
was going through the legislature, the Hawai`i State Association of Counties discussed their
concerns and put in some amendments.
Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development is in accord with the
purpose and intent of Resolution No. 338-15, and recommends its adoption.
de
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
EOFF X RELATIONS AND ECO O C DEVELOPMENT
(LAGAN X I
KANUHA X f. lb
ONISHI X
PALEKA X DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI, CHAIR
POINDEXTER X GREDC REPORT NO.: 3
WILLE X ADOPTED: DEC Q 2 2015