If you’re a 420 enthusiast on your way to the Hawaiian islands, you may be wondering, is weed legal in Hawaii?
The short answer is yes, it is. There are, however, several Hawaii marijuana laws you should know about before you decide to purchase.
Understanding Hawaii weed laws is critical for safely buying and using weed. It’s also essential for ensuring that you get quality cannabis from a legal dispensary.
Only visit trusted and verified dispensaries such as the ones The Gentleman has personally visited in the Best Hawaiian Weed Dispensary List.
The above article provides you with everything you need to obtain cannabis safely and legally within Hawaii marijuana laws.
In this article, you'll learn more about how to safely purchase weed within Hawaii marijuana laws, what they are, and how to avoid the penalties that you may face when you aren't familiar with the marijuana laws in Hawaii.
Hawaii Marijuana Laws - 3 Critical Facts To Know
When it comes to Hawaii marijuana laws, one critical thing to know is recreational weed is still illegal. The state only permits medical marijuana right now.
Act 288, a part of Chapter 329 in the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), legalized medical use in 2000.
While weed is allowed in the state, there are several things you’ll need to keep in mind. The Hawaii medical marijuana laws are restrictive, and they can be confusing.
Here, you’ll learn three critical facts to know about Hawaii weed laws before you make your first trip to a dispensary.
1. The Future of Hawaii Weed Laws For Patients & Caregivers - 2021 Update
There are a few changes in the works to Hawaii weed laws. The current law allows patients and caregivers to purchase products from a licensed dispensary.
After December 31, 2023, however, only qualifying patients will be able to get what they need from a licensed dispensary. These individuals can also cultivate their own plants at home, but the amount can’t exceed an adequate supply for their needs.
According to the new law, caregivers won’t be able to grow cannabis for a patient any more. There are a couple of exceptions to this, though.
The first is if the patient is a minor or an adult who doesn’t have legal capacity. In these cases, a caretaker can get around the new law, but only if they’re the patient’s parent or legal guardian.
The second exception is for those who live on islands that don’t have legal cannabis dispensaries.
2.Knowing Hawaii Cannabis Laws - Is It Legalized, Decriminalized, or Medical
Trying to fully understand Hawaii cannabis laws often leaves you questioning, “is marijuana legal in Hawaii 2021?”
Just know that while the answer is “yes,” the actual answer is a bit more complex.
The term “legalized” means that you won’t face any fines or penalties for the possession and use of cannabis, but Hawaii hasn’t quite reached this phase yet. As such, it’s not considered a legalized state.
In terms of Hawaii weed laws, cannabis is technically decriminalized. What this means is that there isn’t any jail time for possessing a certain amount of marijuana.
You could, however, have to pay penalties if you don’t follow the laws. In Hawaii, it’s only decriminalized for medical use — and only up to 3 grams or less.
Recreational use is still illegal.
So, technically, Hawaii is a medical-only state. You can only use cannabis if your doctor recommends or prescribes it. And even then, you can only use it in the comfort of your own home. You also can’t smoke in public or on any federal grounds.
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Laws Make It Difficult to Obtain Cannabis
If you’re a cannabis user who wants to smoke or use cannabis products in Hawaii, you have to be a registered patient with the state.
Hawaii isn’t the place for the average smoker who wants to buy weed freely and openly. As a frequent smoker myself, I’ve had to curb my habits while on a recent trip to avoid trouble.
If you have a qualifying medical condition, you can get a medical card in Hawaii that will allow you to buy cannabis buds and other products from licensed dispensaries.
Common conditions include (but aren’t limited to):
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD
If you do qualify for a card and want to get one, keep in mind that it can take up to four weeks to process.
What if you’re visiting Hawaii from out of state? Hawaii medical marijuana laws make it so if you have a medical card from another state and your condition is on the list of qualifying conditions for Hawaii, your medical card is considered valid.
Unfortunately for recreational users, there is currently no legal way for you to get your favorite products without a medical need. If you’re in Hawaii to have a good time and you’re an avid smoker, BE CAREFUL.
Marijuana Laws Hawaii: Beware the Penalties
Since Hawaii hasn’t fully legalized cannabis use, you could face some steep penalties for breaking the marijuana laws Hawaii has.
Whether you’re a recreational user or you’re a medical user with a qualifying condition, knowing these penalties will help to keep you out of trouble:
- Having anything over 3 grams is a misdemeanor charge. You could also get up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. Naturally, the more you have on you, the worse the penalty.
- If you’re caught selling less than one ounce of cannabis, it’s a misdemeanor that could also land you a year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. One ounce to one pound is a felony with a five-year sentence and up to a $10,000 fine.
- As a medical patient in Hawaii, you can grow plants at home, but you can’t cultivate more than you reasonably need. If you’re caught growing between 25 and 50 plants, that’s a felony charge with five years of jail time and up to a $10,000 fine.
- Even having paraphernalia in Hawaii could get you in trouble. Using, possessing, or selling any cannabis paraphernalia is a felony charge with five years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.
These are just a few of the penalties you could face if you break Hawaii cannabis laws. You can find more information here.
So Is Marijuana Legal In Hawaii?
After all this we hope to have answered your question to, is weed legal in Hawaii, but there are several caveats to understand. As of right now, you can only use it if you’re a registered patient with a qualifying condition.
Even then, you can only use it in your home. Recreational use is still illegal. Whether you’re a medical patient or a recreational user, understanding Hawaii weed laws is critical for enjoying your time there and avoiding significant legal issues or run-ins with the cops.