OMCCR: Hawaii's Cannabis Regulator

Last verified: March 2026

What Is OMCCR?

The Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR) is the state agency responsible for regulating cannabis in Hawaii. It sits within the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and was established by Act 159 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2018) under HRS §329D-2.5.

OMCCR is Hawaii's only cannabis regulatory authority. Unlike states with separate cannabis commissions or control boards, Hawaii consolidates all oversight under the DOH. This reflects Hawaii's medical-only status — there is no adult-use market to regulate separately.

There is established within the department of health the office of medical cannabis control and regulation.

HRS §329D-2.5 — Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation

Three Programs Under One Roof

OMCCR administers three distinct programs:

Contact OMCCR

Main Phone

(808) 733-2177 — Available daily, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM HST

Neighbor Islands (Toll-Free)

Email

medicalcannabis@doh.hawaii.gov

Mailing Address

Medical Cannabis Registry
4348 Waialae Ave, #648
Honolulu, HI

Online

• OMCCR Website: health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabis/
• Patient Registry: health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisregistry/
• Dispensary Program: health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisdispensary/
• Online Application Portal: medmj.ehawaii.gov

What OMCCR Does (and Doesn't Do)

OMCCR's Responsibilities

• Patient registration: Processing 329 and 329V card applications, renewals, and grow-site registrations
• Dispensary licensing: Issuing and managing the 8 dispensary licenses authorized under Act 241 (2015)
• Compliance and enforcement: Inspecting dispensaries, ensuring product testing and safety standards
• Provider oversight: Since Act 241 (HB 302, 2025), OMCCR has warrant-less inspection authority over provider records
• Hemp regulation: Overseeing hemp processing and manufactured hemp products
• Data collection: Maintaining patient statistics and dispensary sales data

What OMCCR Does NOT Do

• Regulate recreational cannabis: There is no legal recreational market in Hawaii
• Provide medical advice: OMCCR administers the registry but does not make medical recommendations
• Set cannabis prices: Pricing is determined by dispensaries
• Enforce criminal law: Criminal enforcement is handled by law enforcement agencies and the Attorney General

History: How OMCCR Was Created

Before 2018, cannabis oversight was scattered across multiple DOH divisions. Act 159 (SLH 2018) consolidated these functions into a single office — OMCCR — providing clearer accountability and a dedicated regulatory structure. The office was placed under the DOH director's authority.

OMCCR's role has expanded over time. The 2025 session significantly increased its scope: Act 241 (HB 302) gave OMCCR warrant-less inspection authority over medical cannabis provider records — a controversial provision that drew objections from privacy advocates and initially gave Governor Green pause before he signed the bill.

If Legalization Passes: A New Agency?

Proposed legalization bills (HB 1246/SB 1613 in 2025) would have created a separate "Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office" under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), not DOH. This new office would regulate the adult-use market while OMCCR would continue overseeing the medical program. This reflects a common pattern nationally: states separating medical oversight (health-focused) from recreational regulation (commerce-focused).

Until legalization passes, OMCCR remains Hawaii's sole cannabis regulatory body.