Find out about the legal status of medical and recreational marijuana in the state of Hawaii. Is marijuana illegal? Better safe than sorry!
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN HAWAII
In 2000, Hawaii was the first state to officially pass medicinal marijuana by legislature.
Medical marijuana is currently legal for about 14,000 patients with a prescription from a licensed physician. Every 15 days a medical marijuana patient is allowed to receive up to 4 oz (113 grams) of cannabis or cannabis medicine such as oils, tinctures, or tablets, from a licensed provider.
Medical marijuana patients also have the possibility to grow up to 7 plants.
The qualifying conditions to become a medical marijuana patient in Hawaii include:
- Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Seizures
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN HAWAII
Although cannabis is widely used in Hawaii and not that hard to find, the cultivation, sale, and possession of cannabis for recreational purposes are illegal in Hawaii.
Both locals and tourists should be careful with cannabis possession as getting caught with up to 1 oz (28 grams) is a considered a petty misdemeanor and can lead to up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
Carrying even more than that is considered a bit more serious though. If you get caught with between 1 oz and 1 lbs (453 grams) of cannabis you might end up in jail for up to a year and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
In 2017 a bill has been introduced which would decriminalize and regulate cannabis for recreational use for persons over the age of 21. The bill is going to be looked at during next year’s legislative session and first has to pass the Senate Committee on Commerce, Health and Consumer Protection before it will be considered by the full Senate.
