The island of Oʻahu welcomes its tenth medical cannabis retail dispensary with the Hawai‘i Department of Health granting official approval to TCG Retro Market 1 dba Cure Oahu. Situated at 70 Kihapai St. in Kailua, Cure Oahu inaugurated its third retail site with doors opening to the public on Thursday. This addition marks the 25th retail dispensary across the state, broadening access for the 30,035 registered patients and 2,609 caregivers, inclusive of 14,798 patients and 1,463 caregivers on Oʻahu alone. According to the Hawai‘i Department of Health, severe pain tops the list of ailments for adult patients while youth under 18 most frequently report severe pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and seizures.
Liam Gimon, Hawai‘i Department of Health Dispensary Licensing Supervisor, cited the significance of the new dispensary, stating, "Cure Oahu’s new dispensary in Kailua will provide much-needed access to patients on the windward side of Oʻahu." The facility aims to ease the challenges faced by medical cannabis patients residing outside of the urban Honolulu corridor. As the dispensary network expands, the emphasis on providing localized, convenient access for patients continues to be a priority for both the state health department and dispensary operators.
Cure Oahu joins a list of other established medical cannabis outlets on the Hawaiian Islands. Notable establishments include Big Island Grown with locations in Hilo, Kamuela, and Kailua-Kona, Hawaiian Ethos with several sites, and Green Aloha serving the Kauaʻi community. Maui's residents have access to Maui Grown Therapies and Pono Life Sciences, whereas Oʻahu hosts Aloha Green Apothecary and Noa Botanicals in multiple locations. Registered patients and their caregivers are permitted to purchase up to four ounces of medical cannabis every 15 days, and a maximum of eight ounces over a 30-day consecutive period, as reported by the Hawai‘i Department of Health.
In keeping with strict regulations, all purchased medical cannabis must be transported in a sealed container and kept out of public view. Usage is strictly confined to private property and is prohibited in moving vehicles, workplaces, beaches, hiking trails, and all other public spaces. Furthermore, federal law maintains the prohibition of medical cannabis on federally owned properties, including military installations and national parks. For further details on the Medical Cannabis Dispensary Program, interested parties can visit the Hawai‘i Department of Health website.
