Cannabis in Hawaii is illegal for recreational use. Possession is permitted only for medical use and otherwise remains a criminal infraction.
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A popular Hawaiian language term for cannabis is pakalolo (crazy tobacco), and the term appears in the Hawaiian newspaper Ka Nonanona as early as 1842. Hawaii is famous for its cannabis, with many strains developed locally.
Medical cannabis (2000)
In 2000, Hawaiian governor Ben Cayetano signed into law Act 228, allowing medical marijuana cardholders to grow their own cannabis or appoint a caretaker to do so. However, the law did not establish any legal market or dispensaries.
To address legal acquisition of cannabis, in 2016 Senate Bill 321 established a dispensary system, allowing eight dispensaries in the state, designated by island.
Industrial hemp (2016)
In July 2016, governor David Ige signed Act 228, allowing Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to cultivate industrial hemp.