What is a Caregiver?

How to Choose a Caregiver for Patients with Debilitating Health Conditions

Hawaiʻi Medical Cannabis: Caregivers

The Role of a Caregiver

At Greener Healing Ways, we understand that not every patient is able to manage their own medical cannabis needs. The Hawaiʻi Medical Cannabis Registry Program allows qualified patients to designate a primary caregiver — someone they trust to assist them in obtaining or cultivating their medicine safely and legally.

Caregivers play an essential role in helping patients maintain access to their medicine while staying fully compliant with Hawaiʻi’s medical cannabis laws.

Who Can Be a Caregiver

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be officially designated by the patient on the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) 329 registration.
Must agree to follow all laws and limits related to medical cannabis use, possession, and cultivation.
May be subject to background or eligibility checks if required by the DOH.

A caregiver’s name and information must appear directly on the patient’s approved 329 Card record to be recognized and protected under Hawaiʻi law.

Number of Patients a Caregiver May Assist

As of 2025, a designated caregiver may assist up to five registered patients at one time. Each cultivation location may serve no more than five qualifying patients total.

Caregiver Cultivation Rules (2025 Update)

Caregiver cultivation has been reinstated and expanded under Hawaiʻi law. Registered caregivers may now cultivate cannabis for their patients as long as they comply with the following requirements:

The caregiver and patient must share a single, registered grow site listed on the patient’s 329 card.
All plants must be tagged with the patient’s 329 registration number and expiration date.
The combined “adequate supply” limit for the patient and caregiver is 10 total plants and 4 ounces of usable cannabis at any time.
Each cultivation location may serve up to five registered patients total, regardless of caregiver count.

Note: Caregiver cultivation is no longer limited to minors or patients on islands without dispensaries — it is now broadly permitted for all qualified patients who list an authorized grow site.

Caregiver Responsibilities

Maintain safe possession and transport of medical cannabis in a sealed, non-visible container.
Ensure the registered grow site address matches what is listed in the DOH registry.
Never transport cannabis between islands.
Replace damaged or unreadable plant tags immediately.
Update the DOH registry within 10 business days if the caregiver, grow site, or patient information changes.

Legal Protections

A properly designated caregiver is protected under Hawaiʻi’s medical cannabis laws from state prosecution for lawful medical use, possession, or limited cultivation. These protections apply only when the caregiver and patient remain in full compliance with all DOH regulations.

Our Commitment

Greener Healing Ways does not handle or manage cultivation directly, but we believe education is key to safe and lawful access. We encourage caregivers and patients to stay informed, follow all tagging and grow site rules, and contact our office anytime with questions about renewals, provider appointments, or changes to caregiver status.

Hawaiʻi Medical Cannabis – Caregiver FAQs

1. What is a caregiver?
A caregiver is a person appointed by a registered patient to assist in obtaining, storing, using, or cultivating medical cannabis on behalf of the patient, as allowed by law.

2. Who can be a caregiver?

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must be designated by the patient in the DOH application/registry.
Must agree to follow all laws and limits governing medical cannabis use, possession, and cultivation.

3. How many patients can one caregiver serve?
As of 2025, a caregiver may assist up to five registered patients at the same time.

4. Can caregivers grow cannabis for patients?
Yes. As of 2025, caregivers may legally cultivate for registered patients within “adequate supply” limits and only at a declared grow site listed on the patient’s 329 card. Caregivers may cultivate for up to five patients, but each cultivation location may serve no more than five patients total.

5. Are caregivers protected from enforcement?
Caregivers who comply with the medical cannabis laws and rules are protected from state criminal penalties. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions.

6. What limits apply when a caregiver cultivates legally?

Grow only at the registered grow site that matches the patient’s 329 card.
Tag every plant with the patient’s 329 registration number and expiration date.
Observe “adequate supply” limits: up to 10 total plants (mature + immature) and 4 ounces of usable cannabis at any time (combined patient + caregiver).

7. Can a caregiver pick up cannabis from a dispensary?
Yes. A designated caregiver may obtain medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries for their patient within purchase and possession limits.

8. Can a caregiver transport cannabis between islands?
No. Inter-island transport is prohibited except for very limited, licensed scenarios.

9. What if the patient or caregiver information changes?
Update the DOH registry within 10 business days if the caregiver, grow site, or patient status changes.

10. What legal protections exist in family or housing matters?
Caregivers and patients should not be denied custody, visitation, or parental time solely due to caregiver/patient status if they comply with the law. Schools or landlords cannot refuse enrollment or leasing just for caregiver/patient status, unless federal compliance or licensing is at risk.

11. Can cultivation occur at more than one grow location?
No. Each patient may list only one grow site. A single cultivation location may serve no more than five qualifying patients.

12. Are there penalties for violating caregiver rules?
Yes. Violations such as cultivating without authorization, exceeding limits, or failing to tag plants can result in fines or revocation of registration.

13. Do caregivers pay extra fees to register?
No separate caregiver fee is typically required beyond the patient’s 329 registration fee.

14. What happens if caregiver designation is revoked?
If removed as a caregiver, you lose all rights to assist that patient, including dispensing or cultivation under their registration.

15. Can caregivers for out-of-state patients cultivate?
No. Caregivers for out-of-state patients are generally not permitted to cultivate. They may assist with dispensing within Hawaiʻi’s rules.