Following a recent United States Supreme Court decision, Dr. James Berg requested that the Hawaiʻi Police Department review its firearm permit policy. The Department responded in writing, confirming that lawful participation in Hawaiʻi's Medical Cannabis Program alone will no longer automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.

Does this apply throughout Hawaiʻi?

The letter published on this page is an official response from the Hawaiʻi Police Department (County of Hawaiʻi). Policies and procedures may differ in other counties. Applicants should contact their local police department for county-specific guidance.

Does this mean federal law has changed?

No. Federal and state firearm laws remain complex. The recent Supreme Court decision addressed important constitutional issues, and the Hawaiʻi Police Department has updated its policy in response. This page is intended to share the Department's official written response, not to provide legal advice.

Should I apply for a firearm permit now?

That decision is a personal one. If you are interested in applying, you should contact your local police department and follow all current application requirements.

Does this affect my medical cannabis certification?

No. This announcement does not change Hawaiʻi's Medical Cannabis Program or your certification status. It relates only to how the Hawaiʻi Police Department has stated it will evaluate firearm permit applications.

Where can I read the original documents?

Both of the original signed letters are available on this page: Dr. James Berg's letter to patients The official written response from the Hawaiʻi Police Department

Hawaiʻi Police Department Issues Written Firearm Permit Policy Update for Medical Cannabis Patients

Q: Does this mean I can automatically get a firearm permit if I have a Hawaiʻi medical cannabis card?

No. The Hawaiʻi Police Department's written response states that holding a valid Hawaiʻi medical cannabis card will no longer be treated as an automatic disqualifier for a firearm permit. Each application will still be evaluated individually under applicable law.

BREAKING: The Hawaiʻi Police Department has issued an official written response confirming that a valid Hawaiʻi medical cannabis card will no longer be treated as an automatic disqualifier for a firearm permit. Read Dr. James Berg's letter and the official HPD response.

BREAKING NEWS: Hawaiʻi Police Department Issues Written Firearm Permit Policy Update for Medical Cannabis Patients July 2026 Important Update for Hawaiʻi Medical Cannabis Patients Regarding Firearm Permit Applications Greener Healing Ways is pleased to share an important update that may affect some Hawaiʻi medical cannabis patients. After receiving an official written response from the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Dr. James Berg felt it was important to personally explain what this development means for our patients and the community. For many years, lawful medical cannabis patients often found themselves in a confusing position when applying for firearm permits. Although they were participating in Hawaiʻi's legal medical cannabis program, many believed that simply holding a valid 329 card could automatically prevent them from being considered for a firearm permit. Following a recent United States Supreme Court decision and a formal request by Dr. James Berg asking the Hawaiʻi Police Department to review its policy, the department issued a written response confirming that possession of a valid Hawaiʻi medical cannabis registration will not be treated as an automatic disqualifier when evaluating a firearm permit application. Instead, applications will receive an individualized assessment under applicable law. While this is an important and encouraging development, it does not mean that every medical cannabis patient will automatically qualify for or receive a firearm permit. Individual eligibility continues to depend on all applicable state and federal laws, and each application is evaluated on its own merits. To help our patients understand exactly what has changed, we are sharing the original documents below. Letter from Dr. James Berg After learning of the Hawaiʻi Police Department's written response, Dr. Berg wanted to personally explain why he believes this development is important and what it means for the patients he has cared for over the past two decades. His letter provides the background behind this issue, explains why he requested that the policy be reviewed, and shares why he believes individualized assessment is a meaningful step toward fair treatment of lawful medical cannabis patients. Read Dr. Berg's Letter to Patients Dr Berg's letter to his patients .pdf Official Hawaiʻi Police Department Response For complete transparency, we are also sharing the official signed response received from the Hawaiʻi Police Department. Rather than relying on summaries or second-hand descriptions, we encourage patients to read the department's response exactly as it was written. View the Hawaiʻi Police Department Response (June 29, 2026) Read response from Police Chief Reed Mahuna Here Media Release-2026- HPD Response Letter-06.29.2026 (4).pdf How We Got Here This development did not happen overnight. Beginning in 2020, Greener Healing Ways started receiving firearm-related physician certification forms involving lawful medical cannabis patients. Those cases prompted Dr. Berg to seek clarification from the Hawaiʻi Police Department regarding how medical cannabis status was being considered during the firearm permitting process. Over the following six years, additional correspondence and legal developments continued to shape the discussion. Following the United States Supreme Court's June 2026 decision in United States v. Hemani , Dr. Berg submitted another request asking that the department review its policy. On June 29, 2026, the Hawaiʻi Police Department issued its written response confirming that a valid medical cannabis registration would not be treated as an automatic disqualifier for a firearm permit application. Patients interested in learning more about that history may also review the complete timeline of correspondence and supporting documents. Because of the significance of this response, Dr. Berg also wrote a letter to our patients explaining what this change means and why he believes it is an important step forward. We encourage everyone to read both documents in their entirety. For more information- Please read Dr. Berg's article in Marijuana Moment: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/hawaii-police-departments-recognition-of-medical-marijuana-patients-gun-rights-is-long-overdue-op-ed/

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