Hawai'i

Under HRS Chapter 329, Part IX, the following practitioners may certify patients for the Hawaii Medical Cannabis Registry Program:

• Physicians (MD or DO): Must hold a valid Hawaii medical license and a valid Hawaii controlled substance license.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): Must hold a valid Hawaii APRN license and a valid Hawaii controlled substance license. APRNs may certify patients for debilitating medical conditions and, under Act 241 (SLH 2025), may also certify as "primary treating medical providers" for conditions beyond the standard debilitating list.

For issues regarding professional and vocational licenses, contact the DCCA.

All certifying practitioners must establish and maintain a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient prior to certification.

To establish this relationship, the practitioner must, at a minimum:

• Complete a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition, including a review of relevant medical records and an in-person physical examination
• Provide follow-up care and assess the patient's condition during the course of medical cannabis use, as medically appropriate
• Maintain patient records in accordance with medically accepted standards

1. Physicians and APRNs should review the medical cannabis laws and rules before registering with the Hawai’i Department of Health.

2. Go to MyPVL login or sign up for an account. You must link your MD/DOS/APRN license to your MyPVL account, if not previously linked, before creating your first online application. Once correctly entered, your linked license will display on your MyPVL dashboard.

* Instructions for Hawaii SSO Login (2-step verification process): SSO Login Instructions (PDF)

3. Go to Medical Cannabis Registry Site. If it is your first time to log in, click the “First Time Physician/APRN Log In” (located on top right of the screen). Enter your information in all fields. The email password will be the same used for MyPVL.

Detailed instructions can be viewed How to Participate in the Program for Providers (PDF).

4. Complete the Electronic Signature Agreement and mail the completed form to the Department of Health (address provided on form).

Forms can be accessed at ESA Fillable Form (PDF).

*Electronic signatures are NOT accepted.

5. Mail the completed form to:
            Medical Cannabis Registry
            4348 Waialae Avenue #648
            Honolulu, Hawaii 96816

6.  Once OMCCR receives your signed Electronic Signature Agreement, we’ll notify you by email to let you know you’re approved to start certifying patients.

For medical provider forms and registration resources, visit the Hawaii Department of Health Medical Cannabis Registry: health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisregistry/medical-provider-forms/

Hawaii law covers patients diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition as defined under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 329-121. Eligible Debilitating Medical Conditions include:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Lupus
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A patient may also qualify if they have a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition, or are undergoing treatment for such a condition, that produces one or more of the following:

• Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
• Severe pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease

Step 1: Establish a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship.

You must have an established clinical relationship with the patient before certifying. Telemedicine is permitted for both initial certifications and renewals. 

Step 2: Issue a written certification.  A physician or APRN must:

1. Diagnose the patient with a debilitating medical condition covered under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 329-121
2. Explain the potential risks and benefits of medical cannabis use to the patient or their legal guardian
3. Certify in writing that, in their professional opinion and based on a full assessment conducted within a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, the potential benefits of medical cannabis use would likely outweigh the health risks for that particular qualifying patient

The written certification must reflect the practitioner's individualized clinical judgment and be grounded in the established bona fide relationship.

Step 3: Log in to the Medical Cannabis Registry Portal.

Access the Hawaii Medical Cannabis Registry with your MyPVL credentials. If submitting on the patient's behalf (Physician/APRN-initiated application), follow the detailed instructions from the DOH.

Step 4: Complete and submit the patient certification.

Enter the required clinical information, certify the patient's qualifying condition or your clinical determination under Act 241, and submit the application electronically.

Step 5: Patient completes their portion.

After your submission, the patient will receive notification to log in to their own account and complete their portion of the application, or you may submit a fully Physician/APRN-initiated application on their behalf.

• Before certifying patients, medical providers must first register on the Medical Cannabis Registry website.
• All certifying Physicians must have a Valid Hawaii Medical License Number & a Valid Hawaii Controlled Substance License Number.
• All certifying APRNs must have a Valid APRN License Number & a Valid Hawaii Controlled Substance License Number.

*For issues regarding your Professional & Vocational licenses, please reach out to DCCA for guidance.

To issue a written certification, a physician or APRN must:

1. Diagnose the patient with a debilitating medical condition covered under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 329-121
2. Explain the potential risks and benefits of medical cannabis use to the patient or their legal guardian
3. Certify in writing that, in their professional opinion and based on a full assessment conducted within a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, the potential benefits of medical cannabis use would likely outweigh the health risks for that particular qualifying patient

The written certification must reflect the practitioner's individualized clinical judgment and be grounded in the established bona fide relationship.

For certification forms, visit: health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisregistry/medical-provider-forms/

Patients must renew their 329 renewal yearly and must contact their certifying practitioner to schedule an appointment before submitting a renewal. 

Two-Year Renewal Eligibility

Certifying practitioners may support a two-year 329 registration renewal for qualifying patients. All three of the following criteria must be met:

• The patient is renewing with the same Medical Provider who certified them in a previous year
• The Medical Provider determines that the patient's condition is chronic in nature
• The Medical Provider agrees that a two-year registration is in the patient's best interest

Patients must consult with their Medical Provider prior to submitting a two-year renewal application to confirm that the provider supports the extended registration period.

Note for providers: All patient registration fees are non-refundable. Practitioners should ensure patients are aware of this before initiating the renewal process

Medical professionals have a legal right to recommend cannabis as a treatment in any state, as protected by the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (Title III section 301) which became law on December 2, 2022, and the First Amendment (established by a 2004 United States Supreme Court decision to uphold earlier federal court rulings that doctors, and their patients have a fundamental Constitutional right to freely discuss treatment options).

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