HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Big changes are coming to Hawaii’s troubled medical marijuana system to make it easier for patients to use cannabis for more conditions without resorting to risky or illegal sources.

Hawaii lawmakers rejected the idea of legalizing recreational marijuana in favor of shoring up the medical cannabis system, which is built around highly regulated dispensaries like Aloha Green Apothecary in Mapunapuna.

The legislature took action this year out of concern that the 12-year-old system was failing.

Aloha Green Apothecary president Ty Cheng said while it was laudable that the system developed to deliver effective, safe and tested products, the investment hasn’t paid off.

“I think there was some irrational exuberance about how successful the program could be and what i

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