The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR) has announced a new outreach and education initiative aimed at preparing hemp retailers and distributors for upcoming regulatory changes. The effort is intended to promote voluntary compliance ahead of a mandatory registration requirement that takes effect on January 1, 2026.
Under Act 269, which was signed into law on July 2, 2025, all businesses selling manufactured hemp products (MHP) in Hawai‘i—including those operating online or from out-of-state—will be required to register with the OMCCR. The registration fee is set at $50 for a five-year period. A link to the application will be available on the OMCCR website beginning in January 2026.
The OMCCR plans to focus on outreach and education throughout 2025 to help businesses adjust to the new rules. There will also be a grace period after the effective date in January 2026, allowing time for businesses to complete their registrations before enforcement begins.
Currently, DOH continues enforcement against sales or distribution of illegal hemp-derived products that do not comply with existing regulations. This includes action against prohibited products or those failing testing, packaging, or labeling standards. Enforcement actions may include warning letters, product holds, or fines.
After the grace period in 2026, OMCCR and partner agencies may take enforcement measures against entities that fail to register or continue selling non-compliant products.
“Selling hemp-derived products that do not comply with DOH regulations is illegal, jeopardizes consumer safety, undermines fair competition and creates enforcement challenges,” according to the department.
The OMCCR encourages voluntary compliance from businesses: “Recognizing that most businesses want to comply but may not know where to start, the program’s outreach and education campaign is designed to reach existing businesses selling hemp products in the state to clarify legal requirements and minimize confusion.” Businesses interested in future sales are also encouraged to contact OMCCR for more information.
To support compliance efforts, several resources have been published online at https://health.hawaii.gov/hempprogram/. These include official notifications about registration requirements; links to relevant laws such as Hawaii Revised Statutes 328G and interim administrative rules; frequently asked questions for both businesses and consumers; guidance documents outlining minimum labeling and packaging standards; details about live information sessions starting November 10, 2025; and an online form for reporting complaints about hemp products.
Retailers and distributors are advised by OMCCR to review their inventory for regulatory compliance concerning allowable forms of hemp products as well as cannabinoid limits, contaminant testing standards, labeling, and packaging. The sale of certain items—including hemp flowers, pre-rolls, and vapes—remains prohibited under current law. Updated guidance documents are available on the agency’s website.
OMCCR noted: “Our goal is to support responsible hemp retailing and distribution by providing clarity, resources and a pathway to lawful operations.” All entities involved in Hawaiʻi’s hemp market are urged “to act now — review product compliance, only sell products that meet DOH requirements — and register with the program when applications become available in January 2026.”
For additional details about processing or distributing hemp products in Hawaiʻi—or for further questions—visit https://health.hawaii.gov/hempprogram/.
