To use medical marijuana in Hawaii, patients must diagnose one of the state-recognized debilitating medical conditions. The approved list of medical conditions include:
In Hawaii, individuals can also use medical marijuana if they suffer from any unlisted chronic or debilitating disease that produces any of the following:
To use medical marijuana in Hawaii, patients must diagnose one of the state-recognized debilitating medical conditions. The approved list of medical conditions include:
In Hawaii, individuals can also use medical marijuana if they suffer from any unlisted chronic or debilitating disease that produces any of the following:
Although recreational marijuana use is illegal in Hawaii, medical marijuana use is legal. Thus, if you apply for a medical cannabis card and get approval, you will gain the following privileges:
Complete Legal Protection in Hawaii: One of the most advantageous privileges of owning a Hawaii medical marijuana identification card is the complete legal protection it gives you under the state's laws. As a card-carrying MMJ patient, you never have to worry about being arrested or prosecuted for carrying cannabis in Hawaii.
Access to medical marijuana dispensaries and clubs: Medical marijuana dispensaries cannot sell cannabis to anyone without a medical cannabis card. With your card, you gain legal access to all of Hawaii's medical marijuana dispensaries and dozens of medical cannabis strains. You also gain access to the state's cannabis clubs, where cannabis patients can socialize while using marijuana.
Minor Access to Marijuana: Minors may also use medical marijuana if they suffer from any qualifying health conditions. However, their parents or caretakers must take responsibility for purchasing, storing, and administering the medication on their behalf.
Permission to cultivate marijuana at home: Both medical marijuana patients and caregivers can grow their own plants once they officially register. However, the state has placed boundaries on the number of mature plants a person can have at a time. Growing your cannabis reduces your costs significantly and ensures that you always have medication at hand.
The physician's recommendation that enables you to get a Hawaii medical marijuana card is valid for one year. As such, the medical marijuana card is valid for the same time period i.e. for a year from the date of the recommendation. If you wish to have a valid card after the recommendation expires, you must see your physician at least six weeks in advance. Your physician will reevaluate you and renew your recommendation if you still qualify.
Medical marijuana reciprocity applies when a state with legalized medical cannabis protects individuals with out-of-state MMJ cards from the legal ramifications of possessing controlled substances. In July 2018, Hawaii lawmakers passed HB 2729, a law that created a medical marijuana reciprocity program. Under HB 2729, out-of-state medical cannabis patients can apply for temporary medical marijuana cards, which allow them to buy medical cannabis for 60 days. However, they must have a valid MMJ card from another US state or territory and acceptable identification to do this. The patient must also suffer from conditions that qualify for cannabis treatment in Hawaii to receive a temporary Hawaii MMJ card.
A Hawaiian medical marijuana card's legitimacy is dependent on the state you choose to visit. Some states, like North Carolina, do not permit marijuana use for any purpose. There, your Hawaii medical marijuana card is automatically invalid. Some other states, like North Dakota, have legalized medical marijuana but do not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. In such states, your Hawaii medical marijuana card is also invalid.
However, some states have legalized medical marijuana and offer medical marijuana reciprocity. Like Hawaii, these states have programs in place that allow visitors with out-of-state medical marijuana cards to obtain their medication legally. If you visit any of these states, your Hawaii medical marijuana card may be valid. States that offer currently offer some form of medical marijuana reciprocity include:
Per Act 116 SLH 2018, Hawaii has a medical marijuana reciprocity program in place that allows out-of-state patients to get medical cannabis legally. Individuals with out-of-state MMJ cards may apply for travel cards that will enable them to purchase and possess medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries for sixty days.
To be eligible, the applicants must provide the following:
A valid medical marijuana identification card from another state, territory, or District of Columbia government. Applicant's whose medical marijuana cards have no expiration date must provide additional documents to show their registration expiration date. The Department of Health will not accept a physician's certification or recommendation instead of a state-issued medical marijuana card.
A valid state-issued driver's license or identification card from the same state, whose information must match that of the medical cannabis card.
The physician's certification clearly states that you have one or more of the qualifying medical conditions recognized in Hawaii.
To apply for a visitor's medical marijuana card in Hawaii, the applicant must visit the Medical Marijuana Registration Portal and create an account. They must then fill out the application form and upload a clear JPEG of their valid out-of-state medical marijuana card and driver's license or state ID. The Department of Health charges a non-refundable $49.50 fee for visitor medical cannabis cards.
Applicants may select their card's effective issue date and choose a date up to sixty days from the initial application. If the application is successful, the visitor may download the e-card for use on a mobile device. The visitor's 329 card is valid for sixty days only, and a visitor may only apply for them twice a year.
According to the Federal Controlled Substance Act, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, and anyone that uses it is guilty of breaking federal law. While state law protects your right to use medical cannabis, it will not cover if you violate federal law. Some situations that might lead to federal arrest and prosecution include: