Black market weed is still the buyer’s choice in Hawaii

Honolulu, HAWAII — Hawaii dispensaries reported about $50 million in sales in 2021, but a report by the Tax Working Group of the Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force estimates that is only about 20% of sales statewide.

The report comes as Hawaii’s eight legal dispensaries of medical marijuana have struggled to make a profit.

An obvious remedy is enlarging the legal market by allowing recreational cannabis use, and advocates anticipate a major push next year for outright legalization.

But the report also warns that aggressively taxing legal marijuana providers early on may jeopardize the entire industry by encouraging consumers to continue buying cheaper products on the black or gray markets.

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