Woody Harrelson's application to run a marijuana business in Hawaii has been declined.

However, eight people were given licenses out of the 66 who applied to run one of the medical dispensaries, which are set to open across four main islands in July.

A list of approved parties from the Hawaii Department of Health showed three approvals in Honolulu on Oahu Island, two on the Big Island, two on Maui and another on Kauai, Reuters reports.

Woody has been an advocate for the legalisation of the drug for some time and reportedly has a home on the Hawaiian island of Maui, where marijuana was legalised 16 years ago.

However, patients never had a way to buy it until the dispensary law was passed.

Applicants were scored on set criteria and had to be resident in Hawaii for more than five years, have $1 million cash, plus $100,000 for each dispensary location.

The star intended to open the facility under his company name Simple Organic Living, and will have the opportunity to apply again when more licenses are offered in October 2017.

The Hawaii Department of Health will release individual scores in the coming weeks.