Hawaii Medical Marijuana Patient Information

What conditions can Medical Marijuana be used for in Hawaii?

To use medical marijuana in Hawaii, patients must diagnose one of the state-recognized debilitating medical conditions. The approved list of medical conditions include:

  • Cancer: Medical marijuana is a valuable tool for treating cancer symptoms like nausea, exhaustion, and weight loss. Scientific reports have also demonstrated that cancer patients can gain pain relief through cannabis consumption.
  • Glaucoma: Persons suffering from glaucoma may use medical cannabis to treat symptoms like severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, and vomiting.
  • HIV/AIDS: Individuals with HIV/AIDS deal with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, chronic pain, weight loss, numbness, anxiety, and depression. The chemical ingredients in medical marijuana can take away the pain of HIV and give patients a good life.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: Medical cannabis can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that RA patients who use medical cannabis experience inflammation and pain reduction, along with increased mobility.
  • Epilepsy: Individuals with epilepsy may use Cannabis Sativa to treat the symptoms of their ailment. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the more active compounds that help alleviate seizures.
  • Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease is incurable. However, patients may use medical marijuana to manage symptoms of the disease, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, appetite loss, and cachexia.
  • Lupus: Experts claim that medical cannabis's anti-inflammatory properties of medical marijuana make it a valuable tool for treating some Lupus symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue.
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): According to medical research, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can use cannabis to manage their symptoms. ALS patients that use medical cannabis have less pain, eat more, and sleep better.

In Hawaii, individuals can also use medical marijuana if they suffer from any unlisted chronic or debilitating disease that produces any of the following:

  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome;
  • Severe pain;
  • Severe nausea;
  • Seizures, including those caused by epilepsy; or
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those caused by multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; or
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)What conditions can Medical Marijuana be used for in Hawaii?

To use medical marijuana in Hawaii, patients must diagnose one of the state-recognized debilitating medical conditions. The approved list of medical conditions include:

  • Cancer: Medical marijuana is a valuable tool for treating cancer symptoms like nausea, exhaustion, and weight loss. Scientific reports have also demonstrated that cancer patients can gain pain relief through cannabis consumption.
  • Glaucoma: Persons suffering from glaucoma may use medical cannabis to treat symptoms like severe headaches, eye pain, nausea, and vomiting.
  • HIV/AIDS: Individuals with HIV/AIDS deal with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, chronic pain, weight loss, numbness, anxiety, and depression. The chemical ingredients in medical marijuana can take away the pain of HIV and give patients a good life.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: Medical cannabis can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that RA patients who use medical cannabis experience inflammation and pain reduction, along with increased mobility.
  • Epilepsy: Individuals with epilepsy may use Cannabis Sativa to treat the symptoms of their ailment. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the more active compounds that help alleviate seizures.
  • Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease is incurable. However, patients may use medical marijuana to manage symptoms of the disease, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, appetite loss, and cachexia.
  • Lupus: Experts claim that medical cannabis's anti-inflammatory properties of medical marijuana make it a valuable tool for treating some Lupus symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue.
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): According to medical research, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can use cannabis to manage their symptoms. ALS patients that use medical cannabis have less pain, eat more, and sleep better.

In Hawaii, individuals can also use medical marijuana if they suffer from any unlisted chronic or debilitating disease that produces any of the following:

  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome;
  • Severe pain;
  • Severe nausea;
  • Seizures, including those caused by epilepsy; or
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those caused by multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; or
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

What does an MMJ Card Permit in Hawaii?

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.

How Long is a Hawaii Medical Marijuana Card Valid?

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.

Does Hawaii have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

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.

Is an MMIC Valid outside of Hawaii?

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:

Does Hawaii Accept Medical Marijuana Cards issued by another State?

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.

Does a Hawaii MMIC Protect Me Under Federal Law?

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:

  • Marijuana revenue that appears to fund gangs: If a dispensary sells marijuana and uses the income to support street gang activities, its owners and employees might be guilty of federal crimes.
  • Dispensaries or individuals that sell medical cannabis directly to minors.
  • Transporting medical cannabis across state lines, specifically to states where cannabis is illegal.
  • Using state-approved marijuana sales as a means of money laundering.
  • Using violence and firearms while growing or selling marijuana
  • Using or possessing marijuana on federal property - e.g., national parks, airports, train stations, etc.
  • Driving under the influence of cannabis.
  • Owning or using a firearm - per Federal Form 4473, a licensed gun owner may not use cannabis for any purpose.
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Hawaii Marijuana Patient Information