URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COORDINATE AN ENFORCEMENT PLAN TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF ENFORCEABLE COMPLIANCE, RULES, AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE SURGE OF ILLEGAL DISPENSARY OPERATORS THAT SELL CANNABIS LABELED AS HEMP.

This House Resolution (HR 141) urges Hawaii's Department of Health, Attorney General, and Department of Law Enforcement to create a coordinated enforcement plan addressing illegal dispensaries selling cannabis labeled as hemp. It directly affects state agencies responsible for public health and safety, noting over 84 such operations are selling unregulated cannabis near schools, airports, and residential areas without age checks or medical requirements. The resolution highlights that hemp (≤0.3% THC) and cannabis (over 0.3% THC) are chemically distinct, but illegal operators falsely label high-THC products as hemp, risking contaminated products. It references existing Hawaii laws (HRS Chapter 328G, HRS Chapter 11-37) but states no specific statutes currently cover these illegal operations. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on closing enforcement gaps, not creating new regulations.