The Department of Health has recently made amendments to administrative rules, allowing the inclusion of pre-rolled cannabis flower products for medical cannabis patients. According to a statement, this change benefits individuals with limited manual dexterity and those who find inhalation as the most effective delivery method.
In addition to pre-rolls, patients in the state also have access to various other cannabis products such as edibles, ointments, and lotions through licensed dispensary retail locations.
The amendments put forward by the Department of Health aim at ensuring the health and safety of medical cannabis patients and the public by specifying manufacturing standards for pre-rolls. It is highlighted that no additional ingredients like kief, hashish, or concentrates are permitted in the pre-rolls. Moreover, the rolling paper and filters must be plain and unbleached, with a strict prohibition on the use of tobacco in any manufactured cannabis product.
While acknowledging the benefits of inhaling cannabis for some patients, the statement emphasizes the harmful effects of smoking cannabis, citing similarities with tobacco smoke in containing cancer-causing compounds. The regulations also reinforce that Hawaiʻi’s Smoke-Free Laws are applicable to smoking or vaping cannabis, whether for medicinal purposes or not. It is stressed that secondhand smoke from cannabis should be avoided near vulnerable groups such as infants, children, and pregnant women.
These amendments reflect a balance between enhancing accessibility for medical cannabis patients and upholding stringent regulations to safeguard public health and well-being.