Is CBD Legal in Hawaii in 2024?
Yes—hemp-derived CBD products containing ≤ 0.3% THC are legal for sale and possession by adults in Hawaii. However, there are specific rules about which product forms are allowed, where they’re sold, and who can produce them.
Legal Framework
- Hemp & CBD Legalization
Hawaii legalized industrial hemp cultivation under Act 014 in 2020, permitting farming and licensed processing of hemp-derived products that meet federal THC limits Royal CBD+6Hawaii Cannabis Information Portal+6Mission Farms CBD+6Royal CBD+1AP News+1. - State Regulations on CBD Sales
- Only licensed processors can produce and label hemp-derived CBD products under Hawaii DOH’s Chapter 11‑37 interim rules Hawaii Cannabis Information Portal+1Reddit+1Hawaii State Department of Health.
- Products must be third-party lab tested, THC compliant (≤ 0.3%), and properly labeled .
- Prohibited Forms (as of early 2025)
- No CBD in foods, beverages, or cosmetics manufactured or sold in Hawaii AP News+9Hawaii State Department of Health+9Hawaii State Department of Health+9.
- No inhalable hemp products, including vaping liquids or smokable flower Midwest Apologetics+3Hawaii State Department of Health+3Hawaii State Department of Health+3.
What You Can Legally Buy
| Product Type | Allowed in Hawaii? |
|---|---|
| CBD oil tinctures, capsules, powders | ✅ Yes, with licensing & testing |
| CBD gummies or food & drink infusions | ❌ No (until March 2025 and then limited) |
| Hemp-derived vape liquids or flower | ❌ No – inhalables are prohibited |
| Topicals like balms and creams | ✅ Yes, if not cosmetic marketed |
| Medical cannabis with CBD & THC | ✅ Yes, with medical card at dispensaries |
Changes Coming in 2025
- As of December 6, 2024, Hawaii’s hemp regulations expanded to allow limited amounts of infused gummies, beverages, tinctures, powders, and softgels, with low THC caps (e.g. gummies ≤1 mg THC each; beverages ≤0.5 mg THC per container) Hawaii State Department of HealthAP News+6Midwest Apologetics+6Hawaii State Department of Health+6LegiScanAP News+2Hawaii Cannabis Information Portal+2Royal CBD+2Hawaii State Department of Health+1SFGATE+1Mission Farms CBD+3JustCBDStore+3Hawaii Cannabis Information Portal+3.
- Edible CBD products and beverages are becoming allowable, but inhalable products remain prohibited Wikipedia+7Hawaii State Department of Health+7AP News+7.
Medical vs. Hemp-Derived CBD
- Medical cannabis (higher-THC or cannabis-derived CBD) is only available to registered patients with a medical card under Hawaii’s medical program Royal CBD+3JustCBDStore+3Hawaii Cannabis Information Portal+3.
- Hemp-derived CBD (≤ 0.3% THC) is legal for adults 18+ to purchase and use if produced and sold by licensed entities .
Why These Rules Exist
Hawaii has taken a cautious stance toward oral CBD products, citing health and safety concerns about unregulated edibles and inhalables. The state restricts ingestion and inhalation routes while permitting non-food, non-inhaled forms—that is, tinctures, capsules, or topicals .
Summary
- Hemp-derived CBD products (≤ 0.3% THC) are legal in Hawaii in 2024, but
- You cannot buy CBD gummies, drinks, vapes, or smokable hemp—only tinctures, capsules, powders, and non-cosmetic topicals from licensed producers.
- Medical cannabis (CBD + THC) is allowed for registered patients.
- From March 2025, the state will permit some infused edibles and beverages under tight THC limits.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in Hawaii and want legal, safe CBD, stick with hemp-derived tinctures, capsules, or powders sold by licensed processors. The next big shift will come in early 2025, when limited edibles and drinks may become legal under strict regulations.
