Hawaii Expands Medical Cannabis

The Governor of Hawaii has officially signed a bill that will expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include more qualifying conditions, a higher plant count and more dispensaries.

According to an official statement released by the Marijuana Policy Project, Governor David Ige signed a bill into law last week that will allow rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis to be treated as qualifying conditions for cannabis use. The new law, known as House Bill 1488, will also allow patients and caregivers to cultivate 10 plants total and gain access to testing facilities if they desire.

This law went into effect on June 29, but it isn’t the first time Ige has expanded the medical program. He signed legislation making the program more extensive in 2015 and 2016 as well.

HB-1488 also authorized a new dispensary to be opened in Hawaii, for a total of 24 throughout the state. Dispensaries are set to open this summer, and one major concern throughout the state is that the small number of dispensaries planning to open will not provide enough cannabis to meet the needs of medical patients.

The regulations for labs to make cannabis suitable for public consumption have also been updated. This is a relief to those who also fear that the strict testing laws in Hawaii will keep product from being produced on a large enough scale to satisfy the entire population of medical patients.

“With the successful implementation of the medical marijuana dispensary program, the state can turn its attention to improving other marijuana policies, such as reducing penalties for marijuana possession and ultimately ending prohibition,” the Marijuana Policy Project stated.

While there are still limitations to the medical cannabis program in Hawaii, especially regarding the plan to open dispensaries this year, many are feeling more confident about the growing medical industry thanks to these updates. As legalization continues to evolve and change in Hawaii, it will no doubt become more inclusive and allow for more overall access to patient care.