Dispensaries could finally be coming to Hawaii – a decade and a half after the state legalized medical marijuana.
On the final day of the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill to set up a medical cannabis dispensary system across the state’s islands. The measure now goes to Gov. David Ige, who has not expressly said that he will sign it, although observers expect it to become law.
Entrepreneurs in other states hoping to get directly involved with cannabis cultivation and sales will face some hurdles should the law pass. Individuals who apply for licenses must have lived in the state for at least five years, and locals meeting that residency requirement must own at least 51% of limited liability companies seeking permits.
There are also strict financial requirements for applicants: Contenders for the eight licenses would need a minimum of $1.2 million on hand. The application fee is pegged at $5,000 and the licensing fee is $75,000.
