Medical marijuana plants are to be tagged with the patient’s state registration number and expiration date, under rules adopted by the state in July.

Not everyone is aware of the new rules, although the information is being mailed out with annual medical marijuana registration cards and is on the Department of Health’s website, officials said. The Health Department sent out a reminder news release Tuesday.

“My understanding is people are learning about it,” Peter Whiticar, a Health Department branch chief overseeing the program, said in a recent interview. “The word should be getting out.”

In addition, all patients and caregivers are required to have their registration card and valid ID on their person whenever they are in possession of medical marijuana. This means that neither patients nor caregivers are authorized by the Department of Health to begin the use of medical marijuana until they receive their registration card. [Read more at West Hawaii Today]