Is Delta 8 Legal in Hawaii? (2024 Update)

by Kat Austin February 16, 2021 6 min read

Is Delta 8 Legal in Hawaii? (2024 Update) - VO Inc

Hemp laws vary all over the country, and that includes laws concerning an up-and-coming cannabinoid, Delta-8-THC. Is Delta-8-THC legal in Hawaii? And if so, where can you find it?

Yes, technically Hawaii laws protect hemp material grown by a licensed grower, including all cannabinoids and tetrahydrocannabinols derived from hemp. Hawaii's Department of Health has issued a warning against Delta-8 and similar products, however, leaving it in a legal gray area.

Before you buy Delta-8 in Hawaii, here’s what you should know about Hawaii Delta-8 laws:

Looking for legal Delta-8-THC you can buy in Hawaii? Check out our Elev8 Collection.

Disclaimer: We’re always working to stay informed on the latest Delta-8 laws and research. However, state laws are subject to change and we advise that you do your own research to verify the information you find in this article. This is not intended as legal advice.

Delta 8 Hawaii Laws

Hawaii Delta-8-THC Laws
Is Delta-8 a Controlled Substance in Hawaii?
Delta-8-THC Possession Limits in Hawaii
Is Delta-9-THC Legal in Hawaii?
Where to Buy Delta-8 in Hawaii
Do You Have to Be 21 to Buy Delta-8?
Is Delta-8 Legal in All 50 States?
Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Delta-8 is legal in Hawaii, though the state's Department of Health advises against its use.
  • To ensure that the Delta-8 you purchase is legal, you have to ensure that it is made from legal hemp by a licensed grower.
  • You generally need to be at least 21 years old to purchase Delta-8-THC products made from hemp.
  • You can find it at a limited number of Delta 8 Hawaii stores, but you can also buy legal Delta-8 online and have it shipped directly to your door.

Delta 8 Hawaii Laws

Hawaii has stricter CBD laws than most (especially compared to states like IllinoisNew York, or Ohio where the hemp and Delta-8 market is virtually a free-for-all), but that doesn’t apply to hemp laws as a whole. The state of Hawaii has fully legalized hemp. With the passage of HB 2689, Hawaii officially defined hemp according to the federal definition.

The bill also serves to clarify a precise difference in “hemp” and “marijuana,” and amend state laws concerning “tetrahydrocannabinols” to exclude hemp derived cannabinoids. This effectively removed hemp derived cannabinoids from the state’s Controlled Substances Act.

Here are some snippets from the legal text:

HAWAII HOUSE BILL NO. 2689

SECTION 1.

(9) Amending definitions of “marijuana” in state law to clarify that hemp grown by a licensee is not marijuana and amending references to tetrahydrocannabinols in the state law to exclude tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp;

141-A Definitions.

“Industrial hemp” means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

SECTION 14.

Section 329-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows

  1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read:

“Hemp” means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis, as measured post-decarboxylation or by other similarly reliable methods.

  1. By amending the definition of “marijuana” to read:

“Marijuana” means all parts of the plant (genus) Cannabis whether growing or not; the seeds thereof, the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. [It]

“Marijuana” does not include [the]:

(4) A product containing or derived from hemp, including any product containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids such as cannabidiol, that:

(A) Does not include any living hemp plants, viable seeds, leaf materials, or floral materials; and

(B) Has a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 per cent on a dry weight basis, as measured post-decarboxylation or by other similarly reliable methods.

SECTION 15. 

Section 329-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

(g) Any of the following cannabinoids, their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) Tetrahydrocannabinols; meaning tetrahydrocannabinols naturally contained in a plant of the genus Cannabis (cannabis plant), as well as synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the plant, or in the resinous extractives of Cannabis, sp. or synthetic substances, derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to those substances contained in the plant, such as the following: Delta 1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers; Delta 6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers; and Delta 3,4 cis or trans-tetrahydrocannabinol, and its optical isomers (since nomenclature of these substances is not internationally standardized, compounds of these structures, regardless of numerical designation of atomic positions, are covered); provided that tetrahydrocannabinols under this subsection shall exclude tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp;

A hemp plant, the primary source of legal Delta-8 products, in full bloom.

Is Delta-8 a Controlled Substance in Hawaii?

Hawaii updated state legislation to clarify that “tetrahydrocannabinols from hemp” are separated from other forms of tetrahydrocannabinols, like those found in marijuana.

They specifically added to the clause about tetrahydrocannabinols in the Controlled Substances Act the following phrase: “provided that tetrahydrocannabinols under this subsection shall exclude tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp.”

In other words, Delta-8-THC derived from hemp is specifically excepted from the state’s Controlled Substances list. Hemp-derived Delta-8-is not a controlled substance in Hawaii.

Delta 8 THC Possession Limits in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii imposes no possession limits on hemp or hemp material, including Delta-8-THC.

Is Cannabis (Delta 9 THC) Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaii became the first U.S. state to legalize cannabis for medicinal use with the passage of Act 228 in 2000. Recreational cannabis is still illegal in the state, although possession of up to 3 grams has been decriminalized.

Delta-9-THC and marijuana are both considered Controlled Substances in the state of Hawaii. Larger amounts (up to one pound) may be punishable by misdemeanor, with fines ranging from $100-$2,000 and jail time of up to one year.

Where to Buy Delta 8 in Hawaii?

A selection of Delta-8 vape pens that are available online and in stores where Delta-8 is legal.

According to state hemp laws, legal hemp products can be sold in the state so long as it is produced by a licensed grower and in accordance with the state’s USDA hemp plan. That means you’re in luck if you’re looking to buy Delta-8-THC in Hawaii.

Still, it’s advisable to proceed with caution when choosing a Delta-8 distributor. While you can likely find various hemp products in local stores, there may be benefits to buying Delta-8 online.

One reason is that you can buy directly from a brand or manufacturer, instead of purchasing through a third-party vendor that may not fully understand Delta-8 effects and uses or the laws surrounding Delta-8 products.

Is it Legal to Buy Delta-8 Online?

At Vida Optima, our Delta-8-THC products comply with all parameters of the Hemp Farming Act of 2018. That means you can legally buy Delta-8 online from any area where Delta-8 is legal.

We can also help answer questions about Delta-8 before you buy, or you can read our “What is Delta-8-THC?” guide to learn everything you need to know.

Do You Have to Be 21 to Buy Delta-8 in Hawaii?

There are no state regulations that place age restrictions on the purchase of hemp-derived products. Retailers have the right to determine age limits for the purchase of Delta-8 products, but many retailers require consumers to be at least 21 years of age.

Vida Optima Elev8 Candy

Is Delta 8 Legal in All 50 States?

Delta-8-THC is currently federally legal under the context of the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, but each state has the right to determine its own stance on tetrahydrocannabinols derived from hemp. Delta-8-THC is legal in Hawaii according to state law, but you should read more about Delta-8 laws by state to determine the legality in other areas.

Ready to shop for Delta-8 in Hawaii? Our Elev8 collection includes edibles, tinctures, vapes, and more that are Farm Bill compliant and legal in the U.S.

FAQ: Delta-8 in Hawaii

Can I take Delta-8 to Hawaii?

Yes, you can take Delta-8 THC to Hawaii as long as it complies with federal law, which requires Delta-8 products to contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, as well as airline regulations.

What states have banned Delta-8?

Delta-8 THC is banned in several states, including Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

Can I bring CBD gummies to Hawaii?

Yes, you can bring CBD gummies to Hawaii as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC and comply with federal regulations and airline regulations.

Is Delta-9 legal in Hawaii?

Delta-9 THC is legal in Hawaii for medical use, and products containing Delta-9 THC must comply with state regulations regarding medical marijuana.

Are Delta-8 sales ongoing in Hawaii despite legal ambiguity?

Yes, sales of Delta-8 THC continue in Hawaii amid murky legal status and lack of clear enforcement.

What is the legal status of Delta-8 in Hawaii?

The legal status of Delta-8 THC in Hawaii is currently ambiguous, and it remains in a gray area, leading to ongoing sales despite potential legal challenges.

Resources

  1. “H.R.5485 - Hemp Farming Act of 2018” https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5485
  2. “Drug Fact Sheet: K2/Spice” https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/K2-spice-2020.pdf
  3. “MARINOL” https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2006/018651s025s026lbl.pdf
  4. “HB 2689” https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2020/bills/HB2689_HD1_.HTM
  5. “ACT 228” https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2000/acts/Act228_SB862_HD1_.htm
  6. “Hawaii Marijuana Laws” https://statelaws.findlaw.com/hawaii-law/hawaii-marijuana-laws.html

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