PIXABAY
As the dispensaries open, the DOH has seen an increase in the number of people registering to use medical marijuana. There were more than 18,600 registered patients as of Aug. 31.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC opened its dispensary for appointments after receiving state approval Friday to begin medical marijuana sales.
It is the second dispensary on Maui and will open to walk-ins at 415 Dairy Road in Kahului in a few weeks.
“We have successfully procured and produced strains from the top genetics to ensure our first products are of the highest premium quality and provide optimal relief,” said Executive Associate Claire Hill in an email. “Our product offerings will soon also include capsules, tinctures, oil, lozenges.”
The state Department of Health already gave the green light to two dispensaries — Maui Grown Therapies and Aloha Green Apothecary on Oahu — which began sales in August. Both ran out of buds within five days of opening. A second Oahu dispensary, Noa Botanicals, is slated to open in October.
Meanwhile, six of the state’s first eight licensed dispensaries are growing pakalolo.
Cure Oahu has begun production and plans to open its Kapahulu retail location later this year, while Green Aloha on Kauai is anticipating its first harvest in early December and the opening of its retail center in January, the Health Department said earlier.
The two Hawaii island dispensaries — Hawaiian Ethos and Lau Ola — are further behind. Both are still working on getting building permits.
As the dispensaries open, the DOH has seen an increase in the number of people registering to use medical marijuana. There were more than 18,600 registered patients as of Aug. 31.