Hawaii’s only cannabis laboratory received approval Tuesday from the state Health Department to begin testing cannabis-infused concentrates and tinctures so that patients who don’t want to smoke the drug can buy alternative products.
Medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii are allowed to sell derivatives — such as lotions, oils and tinctures — but are not allowed to sell edibles, such as cookies, brownies or candy. Until now, sales of derivatives have been held up by the lack of an approved laboratory to test the drugs.
“We have patients who are suffering from a variety of conditions for which smoking cannabis is not an option, so we’re so thrilled to be able to call these patients and let them know an alternative will be available for them very soon,” said Teri Gorman, spokeswoman for Maui Grown Therapies, the first dispensary to open in the islands, adding that
40 percent of patients have indicated they prefer derivative products.
“We have hundreds of patients that are waiting for the call. It’s huge.”
Maui Grown hopes to begin derivative sales within a week to 10 days.
The Oahu laboratory, Steep Hill Hawaii, began testing pakalolo last month, opening the way for Maui Grown and Aloha Green Apothecary to begin sales of medical marijuana for smoking. Aloha Green on South King Street earlier said it did not plan to sell derivative products.
The Department of Health said the Steep Hill lab can now test for pesticides and microbial contaminants, as required for the retail sale of concentrates including oils and tinctures, but not yet for lozenges or topicals such as lotions and creams yet.
“Today is a big step for the patients and the Hawaii cannabis industry,” said Dana Ciccone, Steep Hill’s chief executive officer. “This certification allows for patients to have a wider selection of medicine that meets their needs.”
Separately, Manoa Botanicals CEO Brian Goldstein said he plans to open Oahu’s second dispensary in October and to sell oils, concentrates and tinctures shortly thereafter.
A DOH spokeswoman said four of the state’s eight currently licensed dispensaries may be open by October. Only two, Maui Grown and Aloha Green, have opened so far.
Demand has been high.
Maui Grown and Aloha Green both ran out of marijuana buds within five days of opening.
Gorman said supply issues were largely due to the inability to sell derivative products, which created a larger demand for buds. In addition, because there is only a single marijuana lab to test all the products for both dispensaries, that created delays.
The DOH is also certifying PharmLabs Hawaii and Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii to test the potency and purity of medical cannabis. The labs must test 70 different compounds in the marijuana before it can be sold to qualified patients.
