Kauai County Medical Cannabis Meeting Aims To Improve Current Laws

808 Genetics attended the State Of Hawaii Dual Use Of Cannabis Task Force Social Equity Permitted Interaction Group meeting on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the County of Kauai Mo’ikeha Meeting Room 2A/2B in Lihue. In attendance were politicians, lawyers, and local cannabis farmers interested in working together to better the cannabis community in Hawaii.



808 Genetics owner @supakauai808 attended the event and was able to speak to local politicians and lawyers about medicinal cannabis

@supakauai808 was able to speak and give valuable recommendations for what local laws should be regarding growing, dispensing, and protecting the plant and its caretakers. Current laws in Hawaii state that medicinal use is legal and is permitted for home growers with each card holder allowed 10 plants on residential property. As far as dispensaries go, it is more of a monopoly. There are a limited number of dispensaries throughout the state, flower and cannabis products are produced by the dispensaries, often not organically, and are set at high prices. It doesn’t make sense when thinking about using it as a medicine for people who are sick. It may work out better if dispensaries were recreational or available to tourists and the medicinal cannabis was produced by experienced growers and consumed by those who really need the healing benefits it offers. Needless to say, the current laws are not effectively accomplishing what’s in the people’s best interest and change is still needed.

Some of the topics discussed included:

Social Equity. An important topic discussed at this meeting was how to solve the problem of previously convicted citizens of a cannabis related crime. A possible solution was that they could have their record expunged at no cost to them, be able to participate in cultivating or dispensing medicinal cannabis products, or be able to acquire a dispensing license as long as there was no violent crime against them. In order to facilitate positive change, the way cannabis was wrongfully handled in the past should be righted.

Cannabis Education. College and school students should be taught and encouraged to garden by incorporating vegetable gardens on campus and in curriculum. While some of the private schools do have campus gardens, many public schools do not. Once in college, cannabis classes should be offered and different cultivars should be studied and grown so proper cultivation knowledge can be passed on to benefit the local community. Education on lab testing and medicinal benefits should also be available to further the information, knowledge, and possible business opportunities about the plant in Hawaii.

Better Accessibility. Cannabis should be able to be grown at home or by a collective to provide high quality medicine at affordable prices. This would allow local farmers to grow different strains which not only help treat different illnesses and conditions, but would also give consumers a selection of products or growers to choose from and support. Encouraging a farmer’s market style of dispensing would provide income for multiple families as well as increase the selection of strains and quality that are available.

Exporting Cannabis. Cannabis should also be grown as a Hawaii export, which is badly needed to bring money into the state without relying on tourism. Hawaii already exports many crops including pineapple and coffee, so adding cannabis to that list would benefit every island, which is able to grow cannabis year round.

Keeping Locals In Paradise. A percentage from cannabis product sales should go back to Hawaiian Home Lands or the Hawaiian people to help develop or house locals that are being priced out of paradise by the wealthy foreigners investing in real estate as vacation rentals or 3rd and 4th homes, quickly causing the price of real estate to rise and be unattainable for many residents throughout the islands. If an agricultural crop is grown in the islands and exported for profit, some of that money should be given back to ensure the people and traditions of Hawaii are protected and taken care of.

Getting Rid Of The Stigma. Children and people with medical issues should be able to easily access and grow their own medicine and attend public gatherings while medicated without judgment or compromise. If needed medicinally, cannabis should be treated like any other medicine by educational or public institutions, homeowners, and places of business.

Protecting Strains and Names. Local breeders and strains that have been in Hawaii for a set period of time should somehow be protected as well. Many mainland companies are using Hawaiian words when naming their strains and we think that should be reserved for strains that are grown in Hawaii by the people of Hawaii. While the details and exact measures needed are still unclear, bringing attention to this matter will start the ball rolling in the right direction.

The Outcome

There were no final decisions made at this meeting; it was just an opportunity to help point the government leaders in a better direction than where they’re currently at or heading. As residents of Hawaii that are passionate about the islands and the cannabis plant, we hope that new and improved laws will be made to reflect the needs of patients and locals instead of the greed of businessmen trying to get rich in this industry.



Politicians from other islands were in attendance to discuss the future of cannabis in Hawaii

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us.