RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Medical Cannabis Licensing Law

This law requires medical cannabis dispensaries to get a license from the Department of Health, bans unlicensed operations, and sets penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

• Requires people who run medical cannabis dispensaries or make/sell cannabis products to have a license from the Department of Health.
• Forbids individuals from helping those without proper licenses to operate medical cannabis businesses.
• Tells the Department of Health to send warning letters to anyone breaking these rules.
• Makes it illegal for websites and social media platforms to advertise unlicensed sales of medical cannabis products.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who want to run or work at medical cannabis dispensaries
• Individuals providing services to unlicensed cannabis operations
• Websites and social media platforms advertising unlicensed cannabis sales

Terms To Know

License

A permit given by the Department of Health that allows someone to legally operate a medical cannabis business.

Cease and desist notice

A warning letter from the Department of Health telling someone to stop breaking the law.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if someone continues to break these rules after receiving a cease and desist notice.
• It is unclear how strictly this law will be enforced or what penalties will actually be applied.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.
DOH; Medical Cannabis; Licensure; Requirement; Penalty
Prohibits persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or producing, manufacturing, or selling cannabis products without a license from the Department of Health. Prohibits individuals from providing certain services to individuals engaging in unlicensed cannabis operations. Requires the Department of Health to send a cease and desist notice to violators. Establishes criminal penalties.

Current Bill Text

HB953

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

953

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to medical cannabis
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 329D,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

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"
�329D-
�
Unauthorized operation of a dispensary;
criminal penalty.
�
(a)
�
It shall be unlawful for any person to
operate a dispensary or engage in the production, manufacture, or sale of
cannabis or manufactured cannabis products without a license from the
department pursuant to this chapter.

����
(b)
�

No person shall intentionally or knowingly provide services to support
an unlicensed person or entity or unlicensed activities pursuant to this
chapter.

����
(c)
�

No person shall intentionally or knowingly operate any search platform,
web hosting services, social media platform, or other entity that posts
information advertising the sale of cannabis products by an unlicensed person
or entity engaged in the production, manufacture, or sale of cannabis or
manufactured cannabis products without a license pursuant to this chapter.

����
(d)
�

The department shall issue a cease and desist notice to any person who
violates subsection (a), (b), or (c).

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(e)
�

Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be guilty of a class C
felony.
"

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SECTION 2.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOH; Medical
Cannabis; Licensure; Requirement; Penalty

Description:

Prohibits
persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or producing,
manufacturing, or selling cannabis products without a license from the
Department of Health.
�
Prohibits
individuals from providing certain services to individuals engaging in
unlicensed cannabis operations.
�
Requires
the Department of Health to send a cease and desist notice to violators.
�
Establishes criminal penalties.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.