State department officials said any establishment that fails to comply may lose their permit or may result in the closure of their business.
The Hawai‘i Department of Health says CBD products sold without a prescription and outside of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries may be pulled from sale by health inspectors at any time.
It’s sold in a wide range of products that claim an abundance of health and wellness benefits.
Former Marine Michael Vernon uses it for pain relief.
“I was in the Marines for five years and I blew out my knees and I had shoulder surgery, so sometimes I get that pain. And I don’t like taking pain meds, because they’re addictive,” Vernon said.
The state says according to the Food and Drug Administration, the interstate sale and distribution of cannabis-derived products including products containing is illegal.
“Any products made with CBD, it’s adulterated, and therefore should not be sold,” Bruce Anderson, Health Department Director, said.
However, it appears that the state’s crackdown isn’t a total ban.
Kris Louie used to produce her own CBD edibles until the health inspectors stopped her.
Louie and others say they are allowed to keep CBD products packaged on the mainland. They just can’t prepare them themselves locally.
“They said we could sell whatever is already being made from national, bigger companies. Like we have chocolates, gummies, and whatnot. So we can sell things that I don’t personally make. She couldn’t really explain why. She just said that’s just the way it is,” Louie said.
State department officials said any establishment that fails to comply may lose their permit or may result in the closure of their business.
Hawaii News Now