329 Medical Cannabis Cards Expiring in March or April Get Automatic 60 Day Extension

The period of registration for qualifying medical cannabis patients and primary caregivers was extended for 60 days under an executive order issued by the governor on March 23, 2020.

The automatic extension applies only to patients with 329 cards expiring in March and April of this year. (The order does not apply to out-of-state patients). Patients are not required to take any action to receive the extension.

The state has a total of 27,710 registered medical cannabis patients.

Hawaiʻi licensed medical cannabis facilities are designated as essential medical services under the governor’s emergency orders, and therefore are exempt from closure during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period through April 30.

“I am so grateful to be able to shop at my dispensary during this incredibly stressful time,” said a 67-year old Maui medical cannabis patient who requested anonymity. “I don’t smoke, but I get a lot of pain relief from the extra-strength CBD/THC capsules, so when I heard dispensaries could stay open, it brought my anxiety level down several notches.”

“The Hawaiʻi Cannabis Industry Association thanks the governor, lieutenant governor, everyone at the state Department of Health and others who are working around-the-clock to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on Hawai’i Nei,” said Teri Freitas Gorman, 2020 Trade Association chair. “Our industry is doing its part to keep our patients and staff healthy through extreme sanitation protocols and operational changes that enforce social distancing.”

Twelve licensed medical cannabis dispensaries currently serve the islands: on Kauaʻi–Green Aloha in Kapaʻa. on Oʻahu–Aloha Green Apothecary in Honolulu and Waikīkī, Cure Oʻahu in Honolulu, Noa Botanicals in Honolulu and Kaneʻohe; on Maui–Maui Grown Therapies in Maui Lani; Pono Life Maui in Kahului; on Hawaiʻi Island–Big Island Grown in Hilo, Waimea and Kona and Hawaiian Ethos in Hilo and Waimea.