DOH: Interim Rules for Marijuana Dispensary Program

Interim administrative rules for the medical marijuana dispensary licensing program were released by the Hawai’i State Department of Health Tuesday.

“The interim rules were written first and foremost to effectively implement the medical marijuana dispensary law and get the dispensary system up and running,” said DOH Director Dr. Virginia Pressler. “The rules have also been drafted to ensure patient safety, product safety, and public safety, and prevent marketing to our keiki. This product is intended to be used for registered patients who need it for medical purposes, and the rules are written specifically to accomplish that goal.”

Explanations of the interim rules include the criteria and process for awarding dispensary licenses, security requirements, the standards for certifying laboratories that will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the marijuana or manufactured marijuana products distributed at the retail dispensing locations, requirements for operating the dispensaries, including tracking each dispensary’s inventory of products from seed to sale or disposal, and other requirements.

A full list of rules can be reviewed here.

Those who have questions about the rules can send DOH an e-mail at [email protected]; or review the “frequently asked questions” document on the medical marijuana website.

The interim rules are in effect through July 1, 2018, or until the rules are adopted to Chapter 91 of the Hawai’i Revised Statutes.

A total of eight medical marijuana licenses will be awarded by DOH, with two to the County of Hawai’i and Maui County. One dispensary license will be issued to the County of Kauai, and three will be awarded for the City and County of Honolulu.

Each of the eight licensees will be allowed to operate up to two production centers and two retail dispensing locations.

The application period begins on Jan. 12 and closes on Jan. 29.