NEW!! DISPENSARY RULES effective August 7, 2023 (interim rules, chapter 11-850, HAR) NEW!!

Medical Cannabis Dispensary Program

The Medical Cannabis Dispensary Program was established for the purpose of regulating a statewide dispensary system to ensure the safe and legal access to medical cannabis for qualifying patients.

Effective January 1, 2015, Hawaii’s Medical Use of Cannabis Program was transferred from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Health, pursuant to Act 177. Act 178 amends sections of Chapter 329, Hawaii Revised Statutes [HRS] Part IX, and provides for the medical use of cannabis. On July 14, 2015, Act 241 was signed into law, codified as Chapter 329D HRS.

The Hawaii Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance has regulatory responsibility for Hawaii’s dispensary licensure program to ensure patient safety, public safety, and product safety, and to ensure licensees’ compliance with state law. This includes statewide oversight of the laboratories that test the safety and quality of the cannabis and manufactured cannabis products, and onsite inspections and monitoring of licensed dispensaries that grow, manufacture, and sell medical cannabis products to qualifying patients.

If you are looking for information about the Medical Cannabis Registry Program, please click here.