Medical marijuana advocates are applauding a new law that aims to improve housing protection by voiding provisions in state rental agreements that had allowed a tenant’s eviction based on their status as a registered medical marijuana patient.

Act 60, enacted by the Legislature and signed by the governor earlier this year, takes effect Saturday.

Rafael Kennedy, executive director of the Medical Cannabis Coalition of Hawaii and Drug Policy Action Group, said it is encouraging to see the issue coming to light.

"Patient renters should never have to live in fear of eviction just because of private decisions about medication," Kennedy said in a news release.

"This bill goes a long way to fixing that — and people need to know about it to protect their right."

The law carves out exceptions for buildings where smoking is prohibited or if a condominium or community association entirely prohibits the use of medical marijuana in its rules.

Kennedy said such prohibitions are outdated.

"A community association that rejects tenants based on the medications they choose will find itself very much behind the times," Kennedy said. "Medical marijuana is not a crime — it is, and has been, legal in Hawaii for 15 years.

"Patients and caregivers are everywhere, in every walk of life."

Hawaii is among 22 states and Washington, D.C., that have approved the use of medical marijuana.