Updates on marijuana policy in Hawaii from the Marijuana Policy Project.
In August, the first two dispensaries in Hawaii began serving patients. Now four dispensaries are operational. The program’s most recent delays were partly due to a lack of authorized testing facilities. In October, the state authorized a second testing laboratory, which will help make up product shortages and allow the remaining dispensaries to open more quickly.
On June 22, Gov. David Ige signed into law H.B. 1488, a bill that strengthens and expands the existing medical marijuana program.
H.B. 1488 adds rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis to the list of qualifying conditions and allows patients and caregivers to access testing facilities. Patients and caregivers will be allowed to cultivate three additional plants of any maturity, for a total of 10 plants. The phasing out of caregivers’ ability to grow marijuana plants for patients has been pushed back five years, to the end of 2023.
Read more legislative insights from MPP: Hawaii – MPP