Relating To Manufactured Hemp Products.
SB1655 amends Hawaii’s hemp law to create a new part governing “manufactured hemp products.” It would allow permitted hemp processors to sell certain edible hemp products in limited forms, specifically gummies containing less than one milligram of THC per dose and no more than five doses per package, and beverages. The bill also permits hemp processors to manufacture, hold, and sell hemp products that exceed Hawaii’s THC limit when those products are destined for another state or country that allows them, or when they are being sold as ingredients for compliant products elsewhere.
The measure revises existing hemp definitions and restrictions to carve out these new allowances while maintaining limits on THC content for most products. It also updates rulemaking authority for the Department of Health to address inspections, testing, recordkeeping, fees, penalties, and good manufacturing practices, including explicit treatment of delta-8 THC in THC calculations. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
SB1655 would amend Chapter 328G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by adding a new regulatory framework for manufactured hemp products and modifying existing hemp restrictions. It would expand the types of hemp-derived products that may be lawfully sold in Hawaii, subject to permit requirements and product-specific THC limits, while also strengthening labeling, packaging, and enforcement provisions. The bill authorizes the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, seek permit revocation, and order embargoes or removals of potentially hazardous products.
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be regulatory rather than highly partisan, with an emphasis on allowing a limited hemp market while imposing consumer-protection safeguards. The bill’s structure suggests support for expanding lawful hemp commerce in a controlled way, especially for gummies and beverages, while addressing safety and youth-access concerns. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented public debate or vote history to indicate broader sentiment beyond the bill’s stated regulatory approach.
The main points of contention likely concern whether Hawaii should allow edible hemp products at all, and if so, how broadly they should be permitted. The bill draws a line between low-THC gummies and beverages that may be sold in-state and higher-THC manufactured hemp products that may only move in interstate or international commerce. Another likely issue is public health and youth access: the bill requires child-resistant packaging, bans packaging attractive to children, and mandates warnings that products are not for persons under 21. Industry stakeholders may favor the expanded market access, while regulators and public-health advocates may focus on THC limits, delta-8 treatment, and enforcement authority.