Five out of eight Hawaii medical marijuana dispensaries that had been warned by health officials to stop selling vaping products made with outside ingredients say they are now in compliance with state law.
Cure Oahu, Aloha Green Apothecary and Noa Botanicals in Honolulu, Big Island Grown and Pono Life Maui were ordered last week to remove all cartridges made with any compounds from outside sources amid a growing outbreak of lung illnesses nationwide. Hawaii law prohibits pot shops from selling anything not manufactured by the dispensaries, which could face penalties including fines or suspension or revocation of their licenses.
“State-licensed dispensaries take public health very seriously as evidenced by the safety of their products designed specifically for medical use,” said Pedro Haro, executive director of the Hawaii Educational Association for Licensed Therapeutic Healthcare, or HEALTH, representing the state’s eight licensed dispensaries. Haro said a study published earlier this week found 92 % of patients who have become ill after vaping reported vaping tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive compound in pakalolo, acquired from the black market or online dealers.
“This is a moonshine problem caused by uncontrolled illicit activity, ” Haro said. “The real story here is that vaporization products purchased outside of a state-licensed dispensary are unregulated, illegal and potentially life-threatening.”
It is against the law to sell vaping cartridges that contain nicotine, tobacco or any other non-cannabis-derived product, including organic compounds known as terpenes. Dispensaries may only sell cartridges filled with cannabis, cannabis oils or cannabis extracts manufactured in-house, which is substantially more expensive.
“Our products are safe, undergo stringent lab testing and are effective, ” said Brian Goldstein, CEO of Noa Botanicals. “We agree with the DOH that patient safety is most important and will continue to provide quality medicinal cannabis so patients can get the relief they need. Limiting the use of natural, lab-tested plant derived terpenes does not increase product or public safety, but instead decreases the available product options and increases costs that will eventually be passed on to patients.”
While the DOH’s ban on all third-party ingredients is limiting, it does “protect the public from potential harm, ” said Claire Hill, spokeswoman for Pono Life Maui.
Health officials said they would “strictly enforce” the law and ensure future compliance with regular examination of ingredients and on-site inspections.
