The state Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed to Lau Ola LLC, doing business as Big Island Grown Dispensaries, for its second licensed medical cannabis dispensary retail center after passing its final on-site inspection.
The company’s second retail center is located at 64-1040 Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea.
Big Island Grown Dispensaries opened its first retail location in Hilo in January.
There are now nine licensed retail dispensary locations operating on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island.
There are more than 24,000 patients and 1,800 caregivers registered statewide.
Nearly 30 percent of those patients and 20 percent of the caregivers reside on the Big Island. As of Jan. 31, there were approximately 6,814 registered patients and 388 caregivers on Hawaii Island, according to the DOH.
Dispensaries are required to comply with all state and county health and safety regulations and are subject to unlimited unannounced DOH inspections.
More information on the Medical Cannabis Program can be found online at health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabis.