Have you considered trying medical cannabis in Hawaii? The legality of cannabis in the USA depends on each state. Some states are recreational, meaning if you are of a certain age, you are allowed to walk into any dispensary to legally purchase cannabis. In Hawaii, we are medical and we have our own special unique set of rules when it comes to cannabis.
Medical dispensaries in Hawaii have been open now for almost 5 years. Being a medical state, the patients have to get certified by a qualifying physician who will approve the patient to receive a Hawaii 329 Cannabis card. The 329 cards and registry are handled by the Hawaii State Department of Health. Most cards will arrive digitally. If you would like a physical card, please ask your physician for assistance. After the card arrives, any dispensary in Hawaii is valid to visit! A first-time visit to any dispensary can be intimidating and scary so here are a few tips to help you prepare for your first visit to any dispensary in Hawaii.
Step 1:Saveyour 329 digital cards!
You will need your 329 cards and a valid photo ID to enter any medical cannabis dispensary in Hawaii, as it is a requirement by the Hawaii Department of Health. We would recommend saving the card as a favorite on your phone, so you can have easy access to it anytime you visit a dispensary.
You will need your 329 cards and a valid photo ID to enter any medical cannabis dispensary in Hawaii, as it is a requirement by the Hawaii Department of Health. We would recommend saving the card as a favorite on your phone, so you can have easy access to it anytime you visit a dispensary.
Check the expiration dates for your 329 card and IDs!
Think of the dispensary as a pharmacy. You will need the proper credentials to buy medicine. If your 329 cards or ID is expired, legally we cannot allow the patient into the dispensary. To expedite the process of signing in, check to see if the dispensary has a patient sign-up sheet that you may be able to fill out prior to visiting.
Step 2: Come in with a game plan.
Check out the dispensary’s menu so you can try to narrow down what you might want to try first. Keep in mind that most dispensaries will have hundreds of products to choose from. If you are very particular about what type of product you want, research beforehand. But keep in mind that inventories at all dispensaries are always changing.
Try to be flexible and – try not to yell at your Patient Consultants (also known as budtenders) if something has run out. They cannot make plants grow faster, or manufacture concentrate out of thin air. Your Patient Consultant has probably tried most of the strains/products themselves and if they haven’t, they have heard feedback from other patients. They can be your best resource when choosing what medicine is best for you.
Step 3: Preparation
Because of Covid, most dispensaries have shifted to serve you online. At Aloha Green Apothecary, the whole live menu is listed on our website. Save your preorder till the end of the day and you’ll know how much your total bill will be based on sales and discounts.
Cannabis – even medical, is federally legal. That means credit cards are a go. Cash will always work, but given today’s covid situation, take advantage of the technology that has sprung out of it. There are now apps for cashless transactions. It’s as easy as signing up for an app and connecting a bank account to it. All dispensaries in Hawaii use the CanPay app. This eliminates any cash handling and is a lot safer! However, if you want to pay in cash – go for it!
Lastly: Don’t be ashamed!
There is never a bad question about cannabis. We are living in a time, where medical and legal cannabis is just becoming a true reality. Everyone, even the most qualified cannabis professionals, had to start somewhere.
Check if the dispensary has any educational or professional specialists on staff who can help answer any questions you have through phone, email, or in person.
If you are someone who is just transitioning into the legal cannabis market or a kupuna (an elder in Hawaiian) who has funny stories from the good old days, we want to hear all of them!