Pre-roll cannabis products coming to medical marijuana dispensaries

Medical marijuana dispensaries can start selling pre-rolled cannabis flower products on Friday.

On March 27, Gov. Josh Green approved amendments to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, Chapter 11-850 (Interim Rules) which adds pre-rolls as a manufactured cannabis product allowed to be produced and dispensed through licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in the state.

This announcement comes after the State House Finance Committee decided it would not deliberate on a measure that would legalize marijuana use for adults in the islands, essentially killing the bill this legislative session.

“The path to legalizing adult-use cannabis has been a deeply divisive issue. This year marked its furthest progression, with [Senate Bill 3335] narrowly passing its second reading,” said Rep. Kyle Yamashita, who represents Upcountry Maui and is chairman of the House finance committee. “Due to numerous concerns regarding the implementation of the bill, the House has decided against further deliberation in the House Finance Committee. This decision is strengthened by the prevailing no votes from committee members expressed on the House floor.”

The addition of pre-rolls to the list of allowed products benefits medical cannabis patients with limited manual dexterity and for whom inhalation is the most effective route of delivery, according to a press release from the Department of Health. However, because many of the same cancer-causing compounds in tobacco smoke are also found in burning cannabis, smoking of cannabis is harmful, and a safer alternative is using a vaporizer.

Patients also have access to other manufactured cannabis products, including edible products, ointments and lotions, through the 24 licensed dispensary retail locations across the state.

While the benefit of inhaling cannabis may exceed the harm associated with smoking for some patients, smoking of cannabis negatively impacts the health of the public and Hawaiʻi’s Smoke-Free Laws apply directly to smoking or vaping cannabis, whether medicinal or not. Secondhand smoke is harmful, and cannabis should never be smoked near infants, children, or pregnant women.

To protect the health and safety of medical cannabis patients and the public, the amendments specify manufacturing standards for pre-rolls. No other ingredients, including kief, hashish or any other concentrate, may be added to the pre-rolls. The rolling paper and filters must also be plain and unbleached. Furthermore, the amendments establish that tobacco may not be used as an ingredient in any manufactured cannabis product.

For more information on medical cannabis or the program’s services and activities, call 808-733-2177 or visit https://health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabis/.