#cannabis

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of his intent to veto 19 bills passed during the 2025 regular session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature. Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law by July 9. 

Several bills passed in the 2025 Legislative Session, aimed at improving transparency and oversight in Hawaiʻi’s growing hemp industry, and addressing safety and continued access for patients relying on cannabis for medical treatment. 

“These bills address urgent health needs in our community — from mental health to medical cannabis access, and care for those with disabilities,” said House Committee on Health Chair Gregg Takayama.

Two Senate committees voted Thursday to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult personal use of cannabis Hawaiʻi and establish taxes on its retail sale and medical use.

The Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives has returned to committee a bill aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, a move likely to kill the measure this session in the House, disappointing advocates and sparking ongoing debate.

After a nearly three-hour hearing, members of the House committees on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture & Food Systems voted Tuesday afternoon to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult recreational marijuana use.

A bill to legalize adult recreational marijuana use beginning Jan. 1, 2026, will be heard at 2 p.m. today by the House committees on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture & Food Systems.

Maui County’s state Senate delegation was united Monday in voting with the majority of senators to kill a bill that would have decriminalized the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana.

Gov. Josh Green has approved an amended rule to add pre-rolled cannabis flower products, also known as “pre-rolls,” to what may be produced and dispensed at licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in Hawaiʻi. The new rules go into effect April 5.

A measure that would legalize adult-use cannabis in Hawaiʻi, passed the Senate Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means on Thursday, and now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.  

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed to retail to Pono Life Sciences Maui, LLC (PONO LIFE MAUI) after it passed a final on-site inspection for its third retail facility on the Valley Isle.

The state Department of Health has approved Green Aloha, Ltd.’s application to open a second retail facility on Kauaʻi. Green Aloha’s new retail location is at 2827 Poʻipū Road in Kōloa. Green Aloha expects to begin sales today, on Sept. 17, 2022.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed to retail for TCG Retro Market 1, LLC dba Cure Oahu after it passed its final onsite inspection for a second retail facility.

The Maui County Council voted unanimously on Friday to adopt a resolution urging the legislature to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis for responsible adult use.

Andrew Weil, MD, founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and chief science officer for Maui Grown Therapies, will give a free online presentation entitled: “Cannabis and the Anti-inflammatory Lifestyle,” at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020.

Hawaiian Ethos’ Hilo store is the state’s 14th licensed retail center and the sixth on Hawai‘i Island which is home to 25% of Hawai‘i’s registered patients; and Noa Botanical’s ‘Aiea store is the state’s 15th licensed retail center and the sixth on O‘ahu, home to 47% of Hawai‘i’s registered patients.

Milestone Hawaiʻi Legislation Has Enabled Patient Choice for 20 Years.

Medical cannabis researcher and author Michael Backes returns for a Lunch & Learn presentation about the Human Endocannabinoid System from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Leis Family Class Act Restaurant, on the second floor of the Pāʻina Building at UH Maui College, 310 Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului.

Cannabis researcher and author Michael Backes is headed to West Maui for his next Lunch & Learn presentation slated for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 24, at Imua Family Services Office located at 930 Waineʻe Street in Lahaina.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health will allow two-year certification renewal for in-state medical cannabis patients starting on Thursday.