Hawaii Senate approves cannabis legalization

The Hawaii Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would legalize the cannabis by a vote of 20-5. It also significantly expanded decriminalization in the state.

The project Legalization would allow adults to possess 1 ounce (28g) and grow their own, as well as allow patients to possess 4 ounces. The regulations would be similar to Hawaii’s medical cannabis program. The State Department of Revenue would administer the recreational cannabis program and issue licenses to producers and retailers.

The other bill would take the current decriminalization in Hawaii a step further; there, possession of 3g is currently punishable by a fine of 130$. The Senate has therefore voted to raise that threshold to 30g.

Both bills have now been sent back to the House for consideration. If they receive final approval from the Assembly, Democratic Governor David Ige will then have to sign the bill before it becomes law.

The governor recently declined to take a position on the legalization bill, though he did state that the current federal ban on cannabis creates complications that would factor into his decision.

«I should look into it. I have some concerns. Cannabis is still a Schedule I substance, which is heavily regulated by the federal government,» he said. «As long as that hasn’t changed, it can be confusing for the public to think that it might be legalized here, but that if they have more than a certain amount, they might end up being »prosecuted and sent to prison for a very long time."

#Marijuana Legalization bills are gaining momentum in the Hawaii Legislature this session – @GovHawaii David Ige would not say whether he will sign or veto the bill, but he says he "has concerns" and has previously opposed it @KITV4 pic.twitter.com/6CwbrCw69o

— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) March 4, 2021

Hawaii legalized medical cannabis in 2000. The Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee approved a 2019 bill to legalize cannabis, without him having gone any further.