Hawaiʻi state law sets a 750-foot buffer between any cannabis dispensary and schools, playgrounds, or public housing. Honolulu enforces this at the conditional-use permit stage under ROH Chapter 21.
HRS §329D-5 establishes a mandatory 750-foot setback from any pre-existing school (K-12 or higher education), playground, or federally subsidized public housing project. Distances are measured property-line to property-line. Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) confirms compliance during conditional use permit review for the B-2 and I-2 zones where dispensaries are allowed. Manufacturing and production facilities are similarly buffered. The state cannot waive the buffer, and Honolulu may impose additional spacing between competing dispensaries via the LUO. New schools or playgrounds opening near existing dispensaries do not retroactively force closure.
Violating the buffer is grounds for state license denial or revocation by DOH and triggers Honolulu DPP zoning enforcement up to $25,000 per day.
Honolulu, HI
Hawaiʻi medical cannabis patients and caregivers may cultivate up to 10 plants in a registered grow site under HRS §329-122. Honolulu requires the site to co...
Honolulu, HI
Hawaiʻi authorizes only medical cannabis (HRS §329-121 et seq., 2000). Honolulu permits state-licensed dispensaries in commercial and industrial zones, with ...
See how Honolulu's buffer zones rules stack up against other locations.
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