On Dec. 6, 2017, Chief Susan Ballard of the Honolulu Police Department acknowledged that the department’s policy demanding medical marijuana patients surrender their guns was faulty.
Tag Archives: Hawaii
The History of Marijuana in Hawaii
Marijuana in Hawaii has a that dates back to 1842, when it was first featured in the island newspaper Ka Nonanona. The newspaper referred to the drug as “pakalolo”, which is the Hawaiian word for “numbing tobacco”. Advertisements for medical marijuana continued to appear in the newspaper until the state coordinated a program to destroy “pakalolo”, because Hawaii received more money from the federal government than any other state to seize all marijuana.
This Is the Second Lab Approved to Test Hawaiian Medical Marijuana
The Hawaii Department of Health announced on Oct. 17, 2017, that it had approved the state’s second Hawaiian medical marijuana laboratory, Pharmlab Hawaii, to start testing medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries, registered caregivers and patients.
Hawaii Department of Health Certifies Pharmlab Hawaii, LLC to Begin Testing Medical Cannabis
HONOLULU, Oct. 17, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Pharmlab Hawaii LLC, a private independent laboratory on Maui, has been given the green light to begin testing medical cannabis from Hawaii’s licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and registered patients and caregivers.
This Is the Second Dispensary Greenlit for Hawaiian Cannabis Sales on Oahu
While Hawaiian cannabis sales on Oahu started with Aloha Green in Honolulu on Aug. 9, 2017, the island of Oahu is now ready to welcome the opening of its second dispensary.
Hawai‘i Department of Health Approves Fourth Dispensary to Begin Retail Sales of Medical Cannabis
HONOLULU, Oct. 10, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a formal notice to proceed to Mānoa Botanicals LLC dba Noa Botanicals after the dispensary completed laboratory testing requirements and passed its final onsite inspection.
You Can Now Choose From Two Hawaiian Medical Cannabis Dispensaries on Maui
While it has been a long road to getting Hawaiian medical cannabis dispensaries open, the Hawaii Department of Health has greenlit the state’s third dispensary to commence sales, making Pono Life Sciences Maui in Kahului the second dispensary to open on the island of Maui.
Hawai‘i Department of Health Issues Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC Notice to Begin Sales of Medical Cannabis to Registered Patients
HONOLULU, Sept. 29, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has issued a formal notice to proceed to Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC today after the dispensary completed laboratory testing requirements and passed its final onsite inspection.
This Is How Hawaii Dispensaries Are Going Cashless
Hawaii dispensaries are saying goodbye to cash and aloha to debit payments. On Sept. 12, 2017, Hawaii’s Financial Institutions Commissioner Iris Ikeda announced that the state would be the first in the country to require that cannabis sales be cashless.
Hawai’i Unveils First Cashless Payment System for Medical Cannabis
Gov. David Ige and state Financial Institutions Commissioner Iris Ikeda announced a “banking solution” that allows Hawai‘i’s medical cannabis dispensaries to access financial services and use a cashless payment system
This Is Why the First Hawaiian Medical Cannabis Dispensary Has Closed Temporarily
The first Hawaiian medical cannabis dispensary has already hit a roadblock after its first few days in business. On Aug. 13, 2017, Maui Grown Therapies announced that it would have to close temporarily because of lab certification delays.
Lab Delays Force Maui Grown Therapies to Suspend Sales
KAHULUI, Hawaii, Aug. 13, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Hawaiʻi’s first medical cannabis dispensary awaits action by the Hawaiʻi State Labs Division to help unclog a backlog of products so Maui patients can have access to quality assured medicinal cannabis products.
Hawaii Greenlights Maui Grown Therapies to Open Dispensary Doors
After 17 years, Hawaii’s medical cannabis patients no longer have to wait to legally purchase their medication. On Aug. 8, 2017, the Department of Health approved Maui Grown Therapies as the first licensed medical cannabis dispensary to open for business in Hawaii.
First Dispensary Receives Approval From Department of Health to Begin Sales of Medical Cannabis for Hawai‘i Patients
Maui Wellness Group, LLC dba Maui Grown Therapies is the first licensed medical cannabis dispensary in the state to receive the green light from the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) to begin selling medical cannabis to registered patients and their caregivers.
Chronic Jobs Launches Job Posting and Application Platform Dedicated to the Marijuana Industry
KAUAI, Hawaii, Aug. 4, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Chronic Jobs today launches its online job platform dedicated to the marijuana industry. The platform will offer all the various types of services expected from leading recruitment platforms – such as job postings and applications – but tailored specifically and enhanced for the legal marijuana sector.
Aloha Testing: Hawaii Certifies First Medical Cannabis Laboratory
On July 31, 2017, the Hawaii State Department of Health announced that it had certified Steep Hill Hawaii to commence medical cannabis testing operations, making it the first medical cannabis laboratory to be greenlit by the state.
Hawaii Department of Health Certifies Steep Hill Hawaii to Begin Testing Medical Cannabis
HONOLULU, July 31, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Steep Hill Hawaii, a private independent laboratory on Oahu, can now begin testing medical cannabis from Hawaii’s licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and registered patients and caregivers.
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Registry Gaining Patients in Oahu
While the Aloha State has yet to approve any labs to test medical marijuana, demand is growing as the Hawaii medical marijuana registry continues to add patients.
Hawaiian Workers’ Compensation Insurer Dropping Medical Marijuana Clients
Hawaii’s burgeoning medical marijuana was dealt a serious blow as news came out that the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer would be dropping its clients in the medical marijuana industry.
Hawaii Department of Health Approves Production Centers for Medical Marijuana Licensees on Kauai and Oahu
HONOLULU, June 21, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) today issued Notices to Proceed to Acquire and Cultivate Marijuana to Manoa Botanicals LLC for their second production center on Oahu and to Green Aloha Ltd. for their first production center on Kauai. The licensees have met all requirements to begin growing marijuana at their approved facilities.
In Hawaii, Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Faced With Mounting Delays
Medical marijuana dispensaries are beginning to open in Hawaii, but they’re not allowed to sell their products.
Maui Hemp History Week Kicks Off at Maui Brewing Company
KIHEI, Hawaii, June 1, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The kick-off for Maui’s 4th Annual Hemp History Week celebrations will begin with a proclamation by Mayor Arakawa at Maui Brewing Company’s Kihei Tasting Room on Monday, June 5th at 3pm. Presented by The Maui Hemp Institute for Research & Development, Hemp History Week was established in 2010 to help educate the public and work to change legislation about hemp and promote the vision of The Maui Hemp Institute.
Hawaii Receives a Grade of “B” for its Medical Marijuana Program
HONOLULU, May 24, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Hawaii Department of Health has received a “B” and ranked the fifth highest in the nation for its medical marijuana program, based on a recent report card of new, regulated medical marijuana distribution programs issued by Americans for Safe Access (ASA).
New Timeline for Hawaii Medical Marijuana as First Crops Harvested
Just months after eight Hawaii companies were given the go-ahead to begin growing medical marijuana, the first crops are being harvested and the first dispensaries could be open this summer.
Two Marijuana Stocks Suspended Temporarily by SEC
On May 19, 2017, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced the temporary suspension of two marijuana stocks that trade on the OTC Markets, with both orders of suspension related to the companies neglecting to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
Aloha Green Harvests First Legal Hawaiian Medical Marijuana Crop
On May 16, 2017, Aloha Green Holdings, a licensed dispensary based in Oahu and one of the first two dispensaries approved to grow medical marijuana in the state of Hawaii, announced that it had harvested its first crop of Hawaiian medical marijuana.
BioTrackTHC Launches First Live Seed-to-Sale Cannabis Traceability System in a FedRAMP Authorized Environment for Hawaii Department of Health
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 30, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — BioTrackTHC has partnered with the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to be the first in the history of the cannabis industry to deploy a live seed-to-sale cannabis Traceability System in a FedRAMP authorized environment.
Tulsi Gabbard Urges Congress to Pass Federal Decriminalization Bill
When the House of Representatives convened for its Morning Hour on March 21, 2017, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, took to the floor to urge House members to support H.R. 1227, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act.
VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Calls for Federal Decriminalization of Marijuana
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Continuing her commitment to common sense criminal justice reform, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) spoke on the House floor today urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to federally decriminalize marijuana.
When Will Hawaii’s Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Open?
Hawaii has been given the green light to open up dispensaries for medical marijuana patients, but when will that happen?
Legislation Introduced to Decriminalize Marijuana Federally
On Feb. 27, 2017, Congressman Tom Garrett, R-Va., introduced the “Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017,” to the House of Representatives. If passed, the bill, H.R. 1227, would decriminalize marijuana federally by removing it from the federal controlled substances list.
Aloha Spirit Spreads: Fourth Dispensary Greenlit to Grow in Hawaii
The Hawaii State Department of Health is on roll with its approvals for licensees to start growing medical marijuana. On Feb. 14, 2017, the DOH announced that Pono Life Sciences Maui had been approved to commence its marijuana cultivation operation, making it the second dispensary in Maui and the fourth dispensary in the state to be approved.
Hawaii Department of Health Approves Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC to Acquire and Cultivate Medical Marijuana
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 14, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) today issued a Notice to Proceed to Acquire and Cultivate Marijuana to Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC for their production center on Maui.
Hawaii Approves Third Dispensary to Start Growing Medical Marijuana
On Feb. 9, 2017, the Hawaii State Department of Health announced that Manoa Botanicals has been approved to start its marijuana cultivation operation, making it the second dispensary in Oahu and the third dispensary in the state to receive such approval.
Hawaii Department of Health Approves Manoa Botanicals LLC to Acquire and Cultivate Medical Marijuana
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 9, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Hawaii State Department of Health today issued a Notice to Proceed to Acquire and Cultivate Marijuana to Manoa Botanicals LLC for their production center on Oahu.
Sapphire Risk Advisory Group Selected as the Security Consultant for the Florida Cannabis Coalition
TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Sapphire Risk Advisory Group has been selected as the security consultant for the Florida Cannabis Coalition. Florida is one of the newer States to legalize Medical Marijuana joins over 28 other States in this growing industry.
Aloha Growth: Dispensaries in Hawaii Approved to Start Cultivating
On Feb. 1, 2017, the Hawaii State Department of Health announced that Aloha Green Holdings and Maui Grown Therapies have been approved to commence their cannabis cultivation operations, making them the first two dispensaries in the state to receive such approval.
Hawaii Department of Health Approves Two Medical Marijuana Dispensaries to Acquire and Grow Marijuana for Medical Purposes
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 1, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Two medical marijuana dispensaries are the first to receive approvals to acquire and grow marijuana for medical products in Hawaii. The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licensing Program today issued Notices to Proceed to Acquire and Cultivate Marijuana to Maui Wellness Group, dba Maui Grown Therapies for a production site on Maui, and Aloha Green Holdings, Inc. for a production site on Oahu.
Court Rules Native American Church Not Exempt From MJ Laws
On Nov. 28, 2016, the United States Supreme Court refused to take up an appeal filed by a Native American church in Hawaii that was seeking exemption from federal marijuana laws, upholding a previous decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Hawaii Department of Health Contracts with BioTrackTHC™ to Implement Medical Marijuana Seed-to-Sale Tracking and Traceability System
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 28, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — The Hawaii State Department of Health has signed a contract with BioTrackTHC™, formally authorizing the company to begin work on the development and deployment of the BioTrackTHC™ integrated tracking and traceability software system for the state’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licensing Program.
Progress in Hawaii: Lab and Dispensary Preparing to Open in Maui
On Sept. 21, PharmLabs Hawaii LLC announced that it will begin offering lab testing services in the state on Nov. 15, helping dispensaries fulfill the lab testing requirements so they can prepare to open.
Hawaii’s Lack of Medical Marijuana Labs Delays Opening of Dispensaries
Potential medical marijuana patients in Hawaii can now be certified by licensed physicians or ARPNs, but none of the eight licensed medical marijuana dispensaries were approved by July 15, 2016, the Department of Health’s opening day for dispensaries, to serve them.
MJardin Reports Strong Growth
DENVER, July 13, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — MJardin Management, a turnkey third party operating company and one of the largest legal cultivators in the cannabis industry, today announced continued growth in operations and expansion into new markets during the 2nd Quarter of 2016.
Nurses in Hawaii Now Allowed to Certify Medical Marijuana Patients
On July 11, 2016, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed House Bill 2707, clarifying and amending statutes for the state’s medical marijuana dispensary system.
Aloha Hemp: Governor of Hawaii Signs Industrial Hemp Bill
On July 7, 2016, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed into law SB 2659, a bill that establishes an industrial hemp program through the state Department of Agriculture.
Hawaii Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Could Pull in $38 Million in First Year
A report from the Hawaii Dispensary Alliance says the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries could produce revenues between $12 million and $38 million during their first year of operation, according to an Associated Press article. By 2018, dispensaries could bring in $80.5 million as registered patients grow from 14,000 to as many as 40,000.
Hawaii Department of Health Releases Scores and Rankings of Applicants for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses
HONOLULU, June 27, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) today released the scores and ranking of the applicants for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses.
Court Rules Hawaii Cannabis Ministry May Not Distribute Marijuana for Religious Purposes
Federal law does not protect the right of two ministers of the Hawaii Cannabis Ministry to distribute large amounts of marijuana for their religious practices.
Marijuana Infraction Enforcement Nearly 4 Times More Severe for Black Californians and 1.5 Times More Severe for Latino Californians than for Whites, Finds New DPA and ACLU Report
OAKLAND, Calif., May 31, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — New data analyses conducted by the Drug Policy Alliance and ACLU of California find that racial disparities in marijuana policing have persisted, following the reduction of low-level marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction in 2011.
High in Hawaii: Cheech and Chong Talk Marijuana and Donald Trump
On May 5, 2016, Honolulu Civil Beat released an interview with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, with the comedic duo discussing marijuana legalization and Donald Trump. Cheech and Chong were in Honolulu as a part of their national tour.