Hawaii Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licensing

Under HRS Chapter 329D, the Hawaii Department of Health licenses up to eight medical cannabis dispensaries, allocated among the counties by population. Each licensee may operate two production centers and two retail sites. State law mandates that dispensary retail locations sit at least 750 feet from any school, playground, or public housing project. The Department certifies sites and conducts inspections. Counties apply local zoning to compatible commercial districts but cannot issue additional dispensary licenses or waive the 750-foot buffer. Recreational dispensaries are not authorized in Hawaii.

Operating an unlicensed dispensary is a felony under HRS 712, while licensee violations may result in civil fines, license suspension, or revocation by DOH.