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Bill

SB 2250

RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

Hawaii SB 2250 regulates promotion of controlled substances, requiring Health and Human Services and Judiciary committee review with unclear implications for advertising, medical practice, and public health messaging.

Re-Referred to JDC.
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Bill Summary · SB 2250

Legislative bill overview

SB 2250 relates to the promotion of controlled substances in Hawaii, though the bill text itself is not publicly available in the provided information. Based on the title alone, this legislation appears to address how controlled substances are promoted, advertised, or marketed within the state. The bill was introduced by Senator Ron Kouchi and has been referred to the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Judiciary (JDC) committees for review.

Why is this important

Drug promotion and marketing regulations directly affect public health outcomes, particularly regarding substance abuse prevention and youth exposure to controlled substances. The referral to both HHS and Judiciary committees suggests the bill addresses both health policy and legal/criminal justice dimensions. Hawaii's approach to this issue could influence drug prevention strategies statewide and set precedent for how controlled substance advertising is regulated.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope: Unclear whether "promotion" includes advertising, social media, retail displays, or educational materials, which would affect businesses, medical professionals, and harm-reduction organizations differently
  • First Amendment implications: Restrictions on promoting controlled substances could raise free speech concerns, particularly if broadly written
  • Intended versus unintended consequences: Overly restrictive language might inadvertently limit legitimate pharmaceutical advertising, medical education, or harm-reduction messaging

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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