Is CBD Legal in Hawaii?
Hawaii is one of the first states in the US to implement pro-hemp regulations. CBD derived from hemp is legal for recreational and medicinal purposes in the Aloha state. In 1999, the government passed House Bill 32 which legalizes industrial hemp for research. The 2014 Agricultural Act allowed the cultivation of industrial hemp on the federal level.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 2175 was reinstated by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to promote the benefits of the hemp research program. This bill plans to use hemp to help decontaminate the soil and improve the production of biodiesel.
Gov. Abercrombie expressed that “Hawaii’s environment and economy will benefit from this research.” At the same time, “Industrial hemp can be used to decontaminate soil and increase the state’s production of biodiesel, therefore reducing our dependence on imported fuel.”
Senate Bill 862, on the other hand, allows residents to grow, possess, and use marijuana for certain medical cases. This legislation permits residents to cultivate and possess up to seven cannabis plants as long as they meet the requirements.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Hawaii?
Hawaii has seen a growth in the CBD industry in the past couple of years particularly in the availability of CBD oil. Hemp-derived CBD oil has less than 0.3% THC levels and is legal at the federal level. The 2014 Farm Bill also allows states across the US to regulate CBD oil including in the state of Hawaii.
CBD oil is available in various CBD stores in Hawaii. Some of the locations include Honolulu, East Honolulu, Hilo, Pearl City, Kailua, Waipahu, Kaneohe, and Kihei, among many others. Even though it is sold anywhere in the state, the quality of the oil varies depending on the manufacturer. Hence, consumers should always check the labels before buying CBD for sale in Hawaii.
Is it Legal to Buy CBD Products in Hawaii?
According to Cannabis Radar, in 2019, Hawaii’s Dept. of Health stated that CBD products are permitted in the state as long as the resident possesses a valid marijuana card and should be available from a licensed dispensary.
After the state legalized medical marijuana under the State Bill 862 HD1, the law has been amended twice. Hawaii is only one of the few stated that allows medical marijuana patients from its neighboring states to access medical marijuana in Hawaii.
CBD or cannabidiol is only one of the 113 cannabinoids found from the hemp plant. This substance is also found in our bodies and interacts with the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The role of CBD is to help the ECS maintain the body’s internal balance and help regulate certain bodily functions. Research and studies have shown how CBD can benefit our health and alleviate the symptoms of certain medical conditions.
What Do the Laws and Regulations about CBD in Hawaii Specifically Say?
The state has seen an increase in the sales of CBD products in recent years. CBD products are legally available in the state of Hawaii through state-licensed dispensaries. Marijuana-derived CBD products can be accessed as long as buyers possess a valid medical marijuana ID card. They are also required to qualify for a medical condition as well as a valid prescription from a doctor.
It’s important to understand the difference between hemp and marijuana-derived CBD products. Hemp-derived CBD contains less than CBD 0.3% THC levels and does not have any psychoactive properties unlike marijuana which produces a high feeling.
The most common forms of CBD products readily available in Hawaii include creams, lotions, topicals, vapes, edibles, and concentrates.
Other Important Considerations When Buying CBD in Hawaii
Residents and consumers can legally purchase CBD oil in state-licensed dispensaries with a medical card given that it will be used to manage certain medical problems. Patients will have to register at the Medical Cannabis Registry Program and should be diagnosed with a certain medical condition.
The most convenient way to purchase CBD in the Aloha state is through online sellers. Buyers can choose from a variety of high-quality CBD products online and have it delivered straight to their doorstep. Before buying CBD, consumers should do their research first to ensure that the company is producing high-quality CBD oil by providing third-party lab testing results that check the safety and quality of the product.
What are the 2019 News About CBD in Hawaii?
Based on an article from Hawaii Public Radio, CBD derived from the cannabis plant has been marketed as a remedy for certain medical ailments. In 2018, hemp was removed from the list of controlled substances which means that this substance is no longer under federal regulations as long as it does not contain more than 0.3% THC. With this amended ruling, the CBD industry is expected to grow in the next couple of years.
The state’s Dept. of Health has visited more than a hundred retailers across Hawaii that sell a variety of CBD products to explain the details on cannabis products including CBD. The program manager of the Food and Drug Branch, Lori Nagatoshi, explains that this effort has been the only initiative in the enforcement of CBD towards retailers. While many stores that are selling CBD are popping up across the state, the health department has not yet determined how many retailers are carrying CBD products.
In the meantime, legislators are hoping to conduct more discussions on the topic while John Mizuno who serves the chair of the House Committee states that “We really need to study it more and regulate.” Along with plans on introducing a new bill on industrial hemp.
Conclusion
Hawaii became the first US state to legalize the use of medical cannabis in 2000 and paved the way for other states to follow suit. If the medical industry can come up with faster results, it can help speed up the legalization of all types of cannabis in the state.
Hawaii residents continue to look forward to the day when the state will also legalize marijuana for recreational use. In the meantime, state legislators continue to push for pro-CBD laws to improve state regulations surrounding cannabis and its derivatives.