Cannabis in Hawaii

Hawaii has allowed medical cannabis since 2000, but adult use is still illegal. The Legislature decriminalized very small amounts in 2019: since January 11, 2020, possessing three grams or less is a civil violation with a $130 fine and no jail time. Between three grams and one ounce it is a petty misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, and larger amounts carry heavier charges.

The Department of Health's Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation runs the medical registry. Patients hold a "329 card", named after Chapter 329 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Under Act 241 of 2025, any medical condition can qualify if a physician or advanced practice nurse certifies that cannabis is likely to benefit the patient, replacing the old list of conditions, and the law also allows telehealth certification and lets dispensaries sell hemp products. In-state cards cost $38.50 a year according to the Hawaii cannabis information site HICannabis, and the Department says applications are normally reviewed in three to five business days. A new patient portal was scheduled to launch on September 30, 2026.

Visitors are covered too. An out-of-state patient holding a card from another state can register with the Department for a temporary 329 card, $49.50 for 60 days, renewable once per calendar year for 60 more. Dispensaries operate on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai, roughly two dozen storefronts by third-party counts, and cardholders may use cannabis only in a private residence because the statewide Smoke-Free Law applies elsewhere.

Legalization stalled again in 2026. The Senate advanced SB 3275, a low-dose bill capped at 5 mg of THC per serving for adults 21 and older, but House Speaker Nadine Nakamura said the votes were not there, and the Attorney General's office opposed the bill. Federal parks, airports and flights, including inter-island flights, remain off limits. This page is general information, not legal advice.