Riding The Cannabis Waves In Hawaii

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
While Hawaii and cannabis have been synonymous with high potency cannabis strains and a pervasive stoner's paradise culture, the reality of cannabis-friendly travel today to Hawaii is quite different.

That's because Hawaii became a medical cannabis state way back in 2000 when legislators made it legal for the now 14,000 registered cannabis patients to grow up to seven plants, but did not set up a system of California-like cannabis dispensaries. Until now.

In fact, July 2016 will go down as a banner month and year for Hawaii as a long-awaited system of medical cannabis dispensaries are now a go (although most are still awaiting federal inspection and may not open until summer's end, fall or even winter). Hopefully by year's end, Hawaii's residents can shop at eight brand spanking new state-licensed cannabis dispensaries with lab tested products.

Oahu won big with Aloha Green, Manoa Botanicals and Cure Oahu taking the top prize in what seemed to be a Hawaiian "medical marijuana lottery," which is home to tourist-filled Honolulu and millions of stressed-out locals.

The Big Island of Hawaii will soon have two dispensaries: Hawaiian Ethos and Lau Ola. Kona is cannabis central on the big island and is home to legendary medical cannabis strains such as Kona Kush, Kona Gold and Purple Kona.

Maui Wellness Group and Pono Life Sciences Maui will be this island's first two cannabis dispensaries on what is known as Hawaii's most romantic and cannabis-friendly island. Maui has also been dubbed a "stoner's paradise" for its artisanally-grown flower buds.

Tiny Kauai was gifted with just one cannabis dispensary, Green Aloha. Reminisce about Kauai and cannabis history with a trip to the North Shore's Ha'ena National Park that once was part of the '60s era, clothing optional Taylor Camp.

Ready to go legal when traveling to Hawaii? There's still a long way to go when it comes to Hawaii and legalization, but a more carefree aloha seems to be on its way for all travelers sooner rather than later.

Fun-Filled Facts

—Cannabis is known locally as pakalolo as described by none other than President Obama who penned the term in his autobiography about his teenhood toking days in Hawaii.

—Maui is home to a cannabis-based religion. Tourists can visit medical cannabis activist and now Reverend Roger Christie's THC Ministry for a "cannabis sacrament" based on Biblical sacred anointing oil recipes.

If You Go

While Hawaii has had both a famous and infamous hemp and high-THC cannabis cultivation culture, the Hawaiian Islands are a travel conundrum for medical cannabis patients. Given Hawaii's remote island location thousands of miles from "the mainland" (aka The West Coast), virtually every tourist flies into just three main airport hubs: Honolulu, Hilo and Kona. This, of course, means flying with your fully legal medical cannabis medications can result in severe consequences including stiff federal fines and potential jail time. However, Hawaii is finally coming around with at least eight legal cannabis dispensaries set to officially open by the end of the year. But with California potentially going legal in 2016, Hawaiian residents, growers, tourists and even the state's now pro-cannabis politicians are wondering why they are keeping themselves out of the lucrative legal cannabis and hemps markets. It is rather easy to obtain cannabis for travelers, although discretion is advised as driving under the influence can get you a DUI, and possessing less than one ounce can get you charged with a misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine and possible jail time.

Time to Go: August

Weather: Low 70s to high 80s

Budget: $$$$

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News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Riding The Cannabis Waves In Hawaii
Author: Sheryll Alexander
Contact: Culture Magazine
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Culture Magazine
 
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