frequently asked questions

VISITOR CARDS: HOW DOES THAT WORK?

VISITORS are allowed to get their visiting “Visa” type permits only by going through the Dept. of Health. At present, though, the State does not have the new law integrated into their rules, regulation, policies and procedures. Mid 2019, or sooner (hopefully), this system will be ready. Visitors will not go through the certifying doctors’ offices. See this link for official detail: WHO CONTROLS THE PROGRAM?

The Medical Use of Marijuana (329) program in Hawaii is administered by the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). The DOH maintains the Registry of Qualified Patients and issues marijuana certificates for medical use only. 

We are not state or federal government contractors or employees. We work as a medical team traveling the islands for the purpose of certifying patients for the medical use of marijuana and cannabis in the state of Hawaii.

What kind of ID do I need?

We will accept out-of-state identification as long as the patient can provide both a local physical AND mailing address

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A 329 CARD?
Please take a moment to review the 329 card eligibility requirements here before contacting us for an appointment to see if you qualify.
HOW MUCH CANNABIS IS ALLOWED?

A patient is allowed up to four (4) ounces of usable marijuana.

A patient is also allowed to grow up to 10 marijuana plants at one time. They can all be mature, or any combination of mature/immature. The definition of “mature” is not specified, but generally speaking a police officer knows the difference. The growing plants are not considered to be “usable”.

WHERE CAN I FIND A DISPENSARY?

Dr. Lawinski is NOT an authorized retailer or distributor of medical cannabis or marijuana products. 

Currently, there are two state-authorized dispensaries open Hawaii Island

Big Island Grown Tehrapoes

Hawaiian Ethos

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY 329 CARD?

Certifications take a minimum of four (4) weeks to process and must be renewed every year to stay current. You will receive your 329 card in the mail about 4 – 8 weeks after the complete and accurate online application is received by the DOH.

HOW MANY 329 CERTIFICATIONS ARE ALLOWED AT EACH RESIDENCE?

There is no limit. We recommend that landowners execute detailed lease agreements with patients who want to grow marijuana plants on the landowner’s property.

WHAT ABOUT CAREGIVERS and their growsites?

This past legislative session, the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR) submitted House Bill 2443 (HB 2443), which would have indefinitely extended the authorization for a caregiver to grow cannabis for their patient. Unfortunately, HB 2443 did not pass and the OMCCR is now required to implement section 329-130, HRS, as it is currently written. this means that After December 31, 2024:

1. Caregivers will no longer be authorized to grow cannabis for a patient; and
2. A location or grow site can only be used by up to five (5) patients to cultivate cannabis.

This change will happen pursuant to section 329-130, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), Authorized Sources of Medical Cannabis.

What this means for you:

If you are a medical cannabis patient, after December 31, 2024, your caregiver may no longer grow cannabis for you. Exceptions to this are caregivers for minor patients, adult patients lacking legal capacity, and patients on islands where there is no licensed dispensary. See section 329-130, HRS. You will still be able to grow your own cannabis and must still abide by the rules and guidance regarding growing cannabis for medical use. Your caregiver will still be able to purchase and possess cannabis on your behalf, as long as the amount possessed does not exceed your adequate supply as defined in section 329-121, HRS.

Additionally, after December 31, 2024, patient grow sites will be limited to no more than five (5) patients per location. In the coming months, the OMCCR will provide further guidance on how this law will go into effect.

In anticipation of this change, if you are a patient registered to grow cannabis at a location used by 5 or more patients or your caregiver is currently registered to grow cannabis for you, you may want to consider making plans to transition your grow site prior to December 31, 2024. If you wish to change your designated grow site at any time, please log into your account at https://medmj.ehawaii.gov to make the change electronically OR complete a change request form at: https://health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisregistry/329-forms/ and mail it to:

Medical Cannabis Patient Registry
4348 Waialae Avenue, #648
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF GETTING CERTIFIED?

  • LEGALITY OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS

329 card-holders are protected from law enforcement, discrimination, victimization by black-market forces, and other negative aspects of society.

 

  • REDUCED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

329 card-holders help to alleviate the burden upon police and other law enforcement entities. These authorities are then able to allocate their limited resources for serious public safety issues. In addition, 329 card-holders move a vast amount of cannabis out of the black market, and allow for a reduction in criminal activity overall.

 

  • FIREARM OWNERSHIP COULD BE AT RISK

Due to conflict with Federal law, 329 card-holders cannot register a new firearm. At present, there is no action to confiscate guns previously registered and held by current 329 card-holders. This could change as gun-control legislation becomes more active