Who Qualifies for Medicinal Marijuana in Hawaii

Who Qualifies for Medicinal Marijuana in Hawaii

On June 14, 2000, Governor Ben Cayetano signed Senate Bill 862, which established the Hawaii Medical Marijuana Act to remove state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of medical marijuana (also referred to as medical weed, medical pot or medical cannabis) by patients who possess a written certification/medical marijuana recommendation from their physician. Qualifying patients must register with the Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED). Patients or their caregivers may possess up to 3 ounces of usable marijuana, and may cultivate up to seven marijuana plants, three of which may be mature.

Read the full text of the Hawaii Medical Marijuana Act here.

How to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient in Hawaii

1. Must be a Hawaii Resident with a valid Hawaii I.D. as proof of residency. If you do not have a Hawaii I.D. an out of state I.D., passport, or other photo I.D. with proof of residency such as bank statement, utility bill, etc. is acceptable.
2. Obtain legitimate medical records or documentation from your primary care physician describing their diagnosis. Learn how to request your medical records.
3. Bring your medical records with you to your marijuana evaluation appointment and have your physician request and fill out a written certification form from the Narcotics Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety. Find a medical marijuana doctor in Hawaii here.
4. Obtain a registration certificate aka medical marijuana card from the Narcotic Enforcement Division. Learn how.

What Ailments Can Be Treated with Medical Cannabis in Hawaii?

• Cancer, Glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, or the treatment of these conditions;
• A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome;
  • Severe pain;
  • Severe nausea;
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy; or
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease; or
• Any other medical condition approved by the department of health pursuant to administrative rules in response to a request from a physician or potentially qualifying patient.

Medical Marijuana Access

Some medical marijuana patients will claim they have a doctor’s prescription for medical marijuana, but marijuana prescriptions are in fact illegal. The federal government classifies marijuana as a schedule I drug. Therefore doctors are unable to prescribe marijuana to their patients, and medical marijuana patients cannot go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for medical marijuana. Instead, medical marijuana physicians will supply patients with a medical marijuana recommendation in compliance with state law.

According to Hawaii medical marijuana law, patients and their caregivers may possess seven plants, three of which may be mature, and one ounce per mature plant. The state of Hawaii does not currently provide for a legal means of purchasing marijuana.

How to Contact the Narcotics Enforcement Division

Mailing Address:

Narcotics Enforcement Division

3375 Koapaka Street, Suite D-100

Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

Phone:

808-837-8470

Fax:

808-837-8474