State wants medical marijuana sales in Hawaii to be cashless
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Plants grew at the home of Jeremy Nickle, owner of Hawaiian Holy Smokes, as seen in Feb. 2016. State officials said today that medical marijuana dispensaries won’t be allowed to accept cash beginning Oct. 1.
State officials are urging Hawaii dispensaries to use a cashless system for medical marijuana sales to prevent crimes targeting cannabis retailers and their customers.
A Colorado credit union has opened accounts for the two dispensaries currently operating on Oahu and Maui and will service all eight licensees by Oct. 1, Gov. David Ige said at a news conference today.
Most financial institution have refused to work with medical marijuana dispensaries because the drug is still illegal under federal law and the banks are regulated by federal law.
The state hopes the move will help to legitimize the fledgling industry.
