LIHUE — The medical marijuana industry in Hawaii collectively breathed a sigh of relief on March 5 as the state enacted a new approach to medical marijuana.
The state Department of Health recently enacted a new online medical cannabis registry that will give visitors and in-state residents a chance to file for their cards on the world wide web.
Already, some customers who have taken advantage of the new registration process.
Kauai has one medical dispensary in Kapaa. Green Aloha + Dispensary is owned and operated by Casey Rothstein, who has already had some customers take advantage of the new registration process.
“The two we’ve had were both on the first day,” Rothstein said. “And they both said it was processed within 12 hours. They did it the night before and by morning they had their cards.”
Although the registration process was quicker, there was still a snag.
“They both came in and the cards didn’t work,” Rothstein added with a laugh. “The state system didn’t work and I had to email someone at the state and they got on it and a couple of hours later they worked.”
The new state registry method will be expedited, giving patients a quicker turnaround time on approved registrations. Officials stated last Wednesday that many registrations, even from out of state, will be processed and approved for cards that same day.
“The electronic-registration cards contain the same verifiable information as the hard-copy cards that we have issued since 2015, but we’ve taken a major step forward to modernize the process and improve the patient experience,” said Peter Whiticar said, chief of the DOH Harm Reduction Services Branch. “We can now, for the first time, invite qualified out-of-state patients to apply up to 60 days prior to their visit to Hawaii and get their cards online prior to arrival.”
A major difference in the new method is it now recognizes medical-card reciprocity for any U.S. citizen with a valid medical recommendation or prescription. This new approach to the registration process will grant tourists and residents alike the opportunity to have their out-of-state prescriptions recognized in Hawaii.
Rothstein thinks it will take a little time for the vacationers to be proactive in their education about the new process.
“Many people just read the headlines and think that reciprocity is just show up and get your card,” Rothstein said. “But then they find out there is more of a process than that.”
On March 1, a bill for full marijuana legalization died in the state Senate. Introduced by Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (who has introduced legalization bills for 15 consecutive years), the measure died as a result of a passed deadline for consideration required of the lawmakers, and failure of a committee to hear the bill.
“Local dispensaries can now verify registered in-state and out-of-state patients with electronic cards and allow purchases of medical cannabis,” said Tami Whitney of the department’s Medical Cannabis Registry Program. “Dispensaries will also help educate visitors on state laws and regulations that govern the use of medical cannabis in Hawaii, such as restrictions on public use and transport.”
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Ryan Collins, county reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or rcollins@thegardenisland.com.
