DOH LAUNCHES OUTREACH AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE AHEAD OF 2026 HEMP RETAIL REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT

HONOLULU - To protect public health, ensure consumer transparency and maintain the integrity of the local hemp marketplace, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR) is launching an outreach and education initiative to encourage voluntary compliance among hemp retailers and distributors, including online and out-of-state businesses.

Act 269, which was signed into law July 2, 2025, creates a state registry for retailers and distributors of manufactured hemp products (MHP). Act 269 requires all hemp businesses selling MHP in Hawai'i, including online sellers, to register with the OMCCR. The registration requirement takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

This requirement applies equally to in-state and out-of-state businesses who sell or distribute MHP in the state. A registration fee of $50 is required for a five-year period. A link to the registration application will be provided on the OMCCR website beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

The OMCCR will focus on outreach and education throughout 2025 to help businesses prepare for the new registration process. A grace period will follow the January 2026 effective date, to allow time for businesses to complete registration before enforcement begins.

Currently, DOH continues to enforce existing laws against the sale or distribution of illegal hemp-derived products that do not comply with DOH regulations. This includes the sale of prohibited products or products that fail to meet testing, packaging and labeling requirements. These violations may be subject to enforcement actions such as warning letters, product holds, or fines.

Beginning in 2026, after the grace period, the OMCCR and partner agencies may take enforcement actions against entities that fail to register or continue to sell products that do not meet DOH regulations.

Selling hemp-derived products that do not comply with DOH regulations is illegal, jeopardizes consumer safety, undermines fair competition and creates enforcement challenges.

Outreach, Education and Voluntary Compliance Before Enforcement
The OMCCR encourages businesses to voluntarily comply with the law. Recognizing that most businesses want to comply but may not know where to start, the program's outreach and education campaign is designed to reach existing businesses selling hemp products in the state to clarify legal requirements and minimize confusion. Businesses with an interest in selling hemp products in the future are encouraged to reach out to the OMCCR for more information.

Guidance Materials and Resources

To assist hemp retailers and distributors in compliance, the OMCCR has published the following materials online at https://health.hawaii.gov/hempprogram/

What Retailers and Distributors Should Do Now

1. Review all inventory
   Confirm all hemp-derived products you carry meet DOH regulations for allowable forms, cannabinoid limits, contaminant testing, labeling and packaging. It's important to note that the law has always prohibited the sale of hemp flowers, hemp pre-rolls and hemp vapes.
2. Update labels and packaging
   Use the label and package guidance documents available on our website to ensure labels contain all minimum requirements.
3. Subscribe to receive program updates

To receive latest updates about the registration application and other important information, subscribe using the following link.

The OMCCR recognizes that regulatory compliance can be complex, particularly for businesses that cross state lines or operate primarily online. Our goal is to support responsible hemp retailing and distribution by providing clarity, resources and a pathway to lawful operations. All entities engaging in the hemp market under the program's jurisdiction are encouraged to act now - review product compliance, only sell products that meet DOH requirements - and register with the program when applications become available in January 2026.

To learn more about hemp processing, hemp product retail sale and distribution, visit https://health.hawaii.gov/hempprogram/. For questions, contact the OMCCR at [email protected].

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