On the face of it, medical marijuana in Hawaii became legal in 2000. However, it took a decade and a half for the state to finally create a workable program. This happened through the development of the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program in 2015. SB 321 created a system of licensed dispensaries in 2016, but still, residents had to wait.
Finally, it became possible to legally buy medical marijuana in Hawaii in August 2017. All efforts to bring recreational cannabis to the state have failed, and nothing will happen before 2024. Thus, you can only get marijuana in Hawaii by applying for an MMJ card. Let’s find out how to do it. We will also look at the price of weed in the state.
A Quick Overview of Getting Medical Marijuana in Hawaii
Please note that when you apply for a medical marijuana card in Hawaii, you’re looking to get the “329 card.” The process is pretty straightforward now that the state has a well-established program in place.
First, you need to register with the MMJ program by going to the Hawaii government website. Next, it’s about scheduling a consultation with a doctor and completing the appointment. If the physician deems you a good candidate for medical marijuana in Hawaii, they will give you the coveted doctor’s certification.
The physician has to complete one part of the application form, while you must fill in the rest. Please note that the Hawaiian Department of Health (DOH) is a stickler for detail and will return any application that isn’t completely perfect. Yes, folks, it’s nice to know that your tax dollars are being well spent on nonsensical bureaucracy.
“What’s the problem with ensuring the application is fully correct?” Absolutely nothing, but the pedantic nature of the Hawaiian DOH is something to behold. For instance, suppose you enter your middle name on the application, but your ID card has an initial. The absolute heroes at the DOH will return the form, delaying your application by as much as a month.
Once you apply, it’s up to your physician to approve your application before they send it to the DOH. If you bypass the anally retentive DOH, you’ll receive your MMJ card in the mail. The total cost will range between $190 and $240, including the application fee, although you could save money by using a service like MMJCardOnline.
How Much Does Marijuana Cost in Hawaii?
With your Hawaii medical marijuana card safely in your possession, it’s time to take a trip to a licensed dispensary. Alas, cardholders are finding that the cost of weed in the Aloha State is extremely high. For example, you might pay as much as $350 for an ounce of average marijuana in Oahu. On Hawaii Island, it’s much cheaper at $220 an ounce, but plenty of people still gravitate toward the gray and black markets.
For instance, on the gray market, you’ll pay $100 less per ounce on Oahu and Hawaii Island. This is a big problem for the state’s eight licensed dispensaries, all of which are struggling financially. Only three of them break even right now, and none of the businesses have paid a return on investor money.
While most people with a Hawaii medical marijuana card are keen to save money, there’s more than a slight element of risk involved with black-market weed. First, it is illegal to buy weed outside of a licensed dispensary. Then there are the health risks.
A systematic review found that heavy metals, microbes, pesticides, and other contaminants have been found in cannabis products. This is, in general, far more likely to be a problem on the black market since there are no testing standards.
Final Thoughts on Buying Cheap Medical Marijuana in Hawaii
You can legally buy medical marijuana in Hawaii once you’ve been approved by a doctor and had your application accepted by the state’s DOH. At present, cannabis is expensive in the state, which has led to a growing number of people using the gray and black markets.
While you’ll save money, there are severe question marks over the standard of the weed you’re buying. Ultimately, you have to decide whether saving money is worth the heightened risk to your health. Since you’re using MMJ for medical reasons, the answer should be ‘no.’
Also Read: Epileptic seizures can now be controlled with medical marijuana
