The Hawaii Department of Health has released its Medical Cannabis Registry Program report for July, offering a detailed look at patient demographics, conditions, and participation in the program.
As of July 31, there were 29,325 Hawaii residents with valid medical cannabis registrations. Over the course of the month, 386 new patient applications were approved, along with 1,129 renewals. The program also reported 2,447 caregivers and 239 physicians or APRNs who are actively certifying patients. The 29,325 patients is below the program’s high of 34,037 patients in May 2023.
Men account for a majority of registered patients at 57.27%, while women make up 42.47%. The average age of male patients is 53, compared to 51 for female patients. A small portion of patients identified as non-binary, averaging 38 years old.
Severe pain continues to dominate as the most common qualifying condition, listed by 82.88% of patients. Post-traumatic stress disorder was the second most common at 18.24%, followed by persistent muscle spasms (6.21%), severe nausea (6.15%), and cancer (6.05%). Other less frequent conditions include glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, seizures, cachexia, HIV, epilepsy, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.
Breaking down patients by age group, those between 36 and 45 represent the largest share at 21.18%, followed closely by individuals aged 66 to 75 at 19.15%, and those between 56 and 65 at 18.67%. Across all adult age groups, severe pain was the leading condition, with PTSD and cancer also appearing frequently among older patients.
County-level data shows Honolulu with the highest number of patients at 14,415, followed by Hawaii County with 8,106, Maui with 5,182, and Kauai with 1,598. Severe pain was the top condition in every county. PTSD ranked second across all counties except Kauai, where severe nausea was more prevalent.
The program also tracks out-of-state patients, with 802 visitors from 30 states, territories, and Washington, D.C. registered as of the end of July. Severe pain was again the leading condition, followed by PTSD and severe nausea. Florida, Arizona, and Utah accounted for the most visiting patients. Year-to-date, 2,935 out-of-state patients have registered.
The latest data underscores the central role medical cannabis plays in managing chronic pain and related conditions for thousands of Hawaii residents and visitors.
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