Hawaii Gov. Signs Executive Order to Protect Caregivers as Some Medical Cannabis Provisions Expire

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) last week signed an executive order to protect the state’s medical cannabis caregivers from “undue enforcement.” The order comes as some provisions of the state’s existing medical cannabis program expired Dec. 31, 2024, and is meant to serve as a stopgap to prevent negative health outcomes for patients.  

“We have medical cannabis statutes to provide patients the relief each desperately needs as they navigate very serious health issues. We must protect the patients and their caregivers when the caregivers cultivate cannabis for a patient in a manner that fits squarely within the spirit of the medical-cannabis law.” — Green in a press release  

The executive order prohibits the state Department of Health (DOH) from using its “limited and investigative resources” from enforcing minor violations of the state’s medical cannabis law as it relates to caregivers.  

In a statement, DOH Director Dr. Kenneth Fink said the agency “strongly supports continuing to allow primary caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis for qualifying patients as needed for the patients’ health.” 

The governor is urging state lawmakers to fix the law to ensure that medical cannabis patients can continue to access medical cannabis and that caregivers can keep providing services for their patients.