Governor Josh Green has signed into law a significant piece of legislation that significantly expands access to medical marijuana in Hawaii while introducing new enforcement tools to combat unlicensed cannabis activity.
House Bill 302, which cleared the Legislature with overwhelming support, removes the state’s list of qualifying medical conditions. Instead, it allows doctors and advanced practice registered nurses to recommend marijuana for any condition they find appropriate.
The new law also authorizes the use of telehealth for medical marijuana certifications, a move expected to boost access for patients in rural areas and on neighbor islands.
To address the state’s growing illicit cannabis market, the measure gives the Department of Health the authority to issue cease-and-desist orders and allows the Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action against unlicensed cannabis operations. It also creates a formal licensing system for cultivators and bars dispensaries from operating without state approval.
Supporters say the law marks the most significant overhaul of Hawaii’s medical marijuana program in years.
More articles from The Marijuana Herald can be found below.
