On Tuesday, Hawaii Gov. David Ige, a Democrat, vetoed state Senate Bill 2407, which would have allowed for the treatment of opioid addiction with medical cannabis, according to a Marijuana.com report.
Gov. Ige announced his rationale for the veto on Tuesday.
“The Department of Health already has a formal evidenced-based petition process, made available annually to patients and physicians, so patients and physicians can apply to add qualifying conditions to the list of uses for medical cannabis.” — Hawaii Gov. David Ige, via Hawaii.gov
The process of approval by the Department of Health can take up to a year and requires the submission of a lengthy, evidence-based petition. Some wanted quicker, direct action through SB2407. Lawmakers had apparently agreed with that sentiment, as the bill passed both sections of Hawaii‘s state legislature with just minor amendments by April, after which it sat on the governor’s desk without action for months.
In June, Gov. Ige filed his intent to veto, which culminated in an actual veto on Tuesday despite pleas for the governor to reconsider.