Travelling can be difficult when you rely on medical cannabis to treat and manage the symptoms of your condition. Traveling between states with medical cannabis is illegal, with that said when you’re getting on a plane, you cannot take cannabis with you. Unfortunately, accessing medical cannabis outside your home state can also be difficult.
Fortunately, some states have reciprocity agreements, which essentially means you can use your home state’s MMJ card in other states to access medical cannabis. Hawaii is one of those states. Note: it’s still illegal to fly with cannabis to neighboring islands. If you fly into Oahu and you’re going to Kauai, for example, you’ll need to buy your cannabis where you intend on using it. You also can’t just walk into a Hawaiian dispensary with your home state’s MMJ card and expect to buy cannabis. You’ll need to submit an application for an out-of-state medical cannabis card first.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re a visitor looking for a Hawaii medical marijuana card.
Quick Guide to Hawaii Medical Marijuana Card for Visitors
There are three basic steps to getting a Hawaii medical marijuana card as a visitor.
- Determine Whether You’re Eligible to Apply: You’ll need a valid medical marijuana card from your home state and a valid ID.
- Determine Whether Your Medical Condition Is Recognized in Hawaii: Your diagnosed condition must also be recognized in Hawaii.
- Submit Your Out of State Patient Application (OSP): Ideally, 60 days before your visit, create a free account online to submit your application.
How Visitors Can Get a Hawaii Medical Marijuana Card in Three Steps
1. Determine Whether You’re Eligible to Apply
The first step to getting a medical marijuana card for your short-term stay in Hawaii is to determine whether you’re eligible to apply. You’ll need to be certified in your home state and have a valid medical cannabis registration card issued by your home state or territory.
If you’re visiting from California, please note that the Hawaii Medical Cannabis Registry Program only accepts state/territory-issued MMJ cards. Cards issued by private entities are not eligible.
You’ll also need to have proof of identification, such as a state ID or driver’s license from your home state or territory.
You’ll only be able to get an out-of-state patient application as a visitor if you spend less than 180 days in Hawaii. If you plan to stay longer than that, you’ll need to apply for a resident’s card.
2. Determine Whether Your Medical Condition Is Recognized in Hawaii
While your state may recognize your medical condition as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, your diagnosed condition must also be recognized in Hawaii in order to apply for an MMJ card under reciprocity.
Qualifying Conditions for a Hawaii Medical Marijuana Card:
- Any chronic or debilitating disease or its treatments that produces one or more of the following:
- Severe pain
- Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms (including those characteristics of multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease)
- Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Cancer
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- HIV/AIDS
3. Submit Your Out of State Patient Application (OSP)
If you have an out-of-state MMJ card, proof of ID, and a qualifying condition in both your home state and Hawaii, you are eligible to submit an Out of State Patient Application (OSP). You’ll start your application online by creating a free account. The application fee itself is $49.50 and is non-refundable.
It’s recommended that you submit your application 60 days before your visit to ensure your card can be processed in time. Visit Hawaii often? You can apply twice per calendar year.
For more information about Hawaii’s Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, call (808) 733-2177 or email medicalcannabis@doh.hawaii.gov.
