The Hawaii state Senate has made a historic move by passing a bill aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. It is marking a significant step towards creating a regulated and taxed market for adult-use cannabis in the state.
After garnering approval in the Senate with a vote of 19-6, the bill now advances to the state House of Representatives for further deliberation. Cannabis reform advocates hope to introduce new amendments addressing certain provisions of the measure.
If the House passes and the governor signs the legislation, it would permit adults aged 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates. Additionally, it would allow individuals to cultivate up to six marijuana plants at home and possess up to two pounds of harvested cannabis from their homegrown plants. The bill is slated to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The proposed legislation, largely based on a legalization proposal put forth by Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez. It aims to establish a new state agency called the Hawaii Hemp and Cannabis Authority. This agency would oversee the licensing and regulation of cannabis and hemp businesses in the state. Furthermore, the bill seeks to create a five-member Cannabis Control Board tasked with providing oversight for the new regulatory agency.
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Earlier today, the Hawai’i State Senate passed a bill that would legalize and regulate cannabis for adults! The bill now moves to the Hawai’i House of Representatives for consideration. pic.twitter.com/FSXqCTSQNZ
— Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform (@HI4CannaReform) March 6, 2024
Regulatory framework for the legalization
In addition to legalizing recreational marijuana, the bill includes provisions to expunge the records of past arrests and convictions related to actions permitted or decriminalized under the measure. This includes marijuana possession charges, with expungement proceedings scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, through petition-based requests.
While acknowledging the progress made with the passage of the bill, cannabis policy advocates have raised concerns about certain provisions. This includes the establishment of new criminal penalties. Notably, advocates are critical of a provision that sets an arbitrary THC limit for drivers. In addition to that, another provision that imposes jail time for possession of loose cannabis or a marijuana pipe in an automobile.
Advocates, including the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Cannabis Reform (HACR), have submitted proposals to amend the bill to address these concerns. Proposed amendments seek to eliminate the THC limit for drivers, remove open container provisions, clarify expungement procedures, and eliminate restrictions on public consumption. Additionally, they will introduce provisions for small business and social equity licenses in the regulated cannabis market.
Despite the bill’s imperfections, advocates remain hopeful that amendments will be considered in the House of Representatives to improve the legislation. Legalizing recreational marijuana enjoys support from a majority of Hawaiians, as indicated by a recent poll. This highlights the potential for the bill to become law if passed by the legislature and signed by Josh Green.
With Hawaii potentially joining the ranks of states that have legalized recreational marijuana for adults, the bill’s passage represents a significant milestone in the state’s cannabis policy landscape.
zartasha@mugglehead.com
Brian Kelly
March 7, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Legalize federally now. What’s legal to possess and consume in over half of the populated areas of The United States should not make you a criminal in states still being governed by woefully ignorant prohibitionist politicians.
Cannabis consumers in all states deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All-American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Nationwide Federally Now!
It’s time for us, the majority of The People to take back control of our national cannabis policy. By voting OUT of office any and all politicians who very publicly and vocally admit to having an anti-cannabis, prohibitionist agenda! Time to vote’em all OUT of office. Period. Plain and simple.
Politicians who continue to demonize Cannabis, Corrupt Law Enforcement Officials who prefer to ruin peoples lives over Cannabis possession rather than solve real crimes who fund their departments toys and salaries with monies acquired through cannabis home raids, seizures and forfeitures, and so-called “Addiction Specialists” who make their income off of the judicial misfortunes of our citizens who choose cannabis, – Your actions go against The Will of The People and Your Days In Office Are Numbered! Find new careers before you don’t have one.
The People have spoken! Get on-board with Cannabis Legalization Nationwide, or be left behind and find new careers. Your choice.
The “War on Cannabis” has been a complete and utter failure. It is the largest component of the broader yet equally unsuccessful “War on Drugs” that has cost our country over a trillion dollars.
Instead of The United States wasting Billions upon Billions more of our yearly tax dollars fighting a never ending “War on Cannabis”, lets generate Billions of dollars, and improve the deficit instead. Especially now, due to Covid-19. It’s a no brainer.
The Prohibition of Cannabis has also ruined the lives of many of our loved ones. In numbers greater than any other nation, our loved ones are being sent to jail and are being given permanent criminal records. Especially, if they happen to be of the “wrong” skin color or they happen to be from the “wrong” neighborhood. Which ruin their chances of employment for the rest of their lives, and for what reason?
Cannabis is much safer to consume than alcohol. Yet do we lock people up for choosing to drink?
Let’s end this hypocrisy now!
The government should never attempt to legislate morality by creating victim-less cannabis “crimes” because it simply does not work and costs the taxpayers a fortune.
Cannabis Legalization Nationwide is an inevitable reality that’s approaching much sooner than prohibitionists think and there is nothing they can do to stop it!
Legalize Nationwide Federally Now! Support Each and Every Cannabis Legalization Initiative!