HONOLULU (Hawaii) — The 2025 Hawaii Cannabis Expo returns this weekend to the Blaisdell in Honolulu.  

It’s an opportunity to sell products, offer insight and promote the benefits of what’s widely considered natural and medicinal healing.

The event aims to educate the public on the potential benefits of the cannabis plant.  It also provides attendees with information and education on how to gain access in Hawaii as a registered patient safely.

Honolulu nurse practitioner Alex Acevedo told Island News, “My father, suffered from arthritis, since the age of 13, he was not one to use opioids, but now because he’s back in Illinois, it’s recreational, so they made it legal.”

It’s been lifechanging in many ways.

“Absolutely, he’s not been having to call the doctor every month, to get refills, he’s not running out of his medication and he’s able to walk down the block”, added Acevedo.

Legislation was also discussed.

Former Hawaii State Senator Will Espero told Island News, “The big bill that’s been around for many years, that’s been the legalization of adult use. For the first time last year, the state senate did pass an adult use measure, but the state house did not hear it, so that will be on the agenda this year, I expect.”

Others are skeptical over CBD or THC becoming more accessible or allowable.

In 2024 Dr. Scott Miscovich stated, “Car accidents in the states that legalize, up to 70 percent of individuals tested in the emergency room, after accidents, are positive for THC or CBD.”

Others also believe it will lead to heightened crime.

Meanwhile, from a health benefit standpoint, many Hawaii legislators are pursuing bills. 

Rep. Jeanne Kapela (D) Island of Hawaii stated, “I’ve introduced a medical cannabis bill, it’s more like a housekeeping bill that would ensure if you have a medical cannabis card currently that you can’t lose your job due to the fact you’re not taking this as medicine.”

A law that allowed medical marijuana caregivers to provide cannabis for patients in Hawaii was set to expire Dec. 31st of last year as part of a deadline.  Hawaii Gov. Josh Green stepped in with an executive order, providing a bridge/protective order for caregivers. 

Caregivers must continue acting in accordance with the law.

Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D), with the Hawaii State Senate told Island News, “What is critical is making sure that the deadline for caregivers goes away – especially here on Oahu where people live in condominiums and cannot grow their own medicine.  The caregivers are their lifeline, in order to be able to get cannabis medicine and so that is the most critical and most urgent right now.”

“What is most likely to be passed this year is the removal of the caregiver deadline and also the potential for decriminalization up to 30 grams”, added Buenaventura.

Espero also stated, “We have to treat cannabis as we treat cigarettes and alcohol, which are illegal for our youth, so we want to do everything we can to keep cannabis away from our youth, unless of course its for medicinal value.”

The final day of the expo is Sunday and the hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.