Hawaii Senate Votes to Legalize Cannabis

March 8, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Hawaii Senate voted 22-3 in favor of an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal yesterday; the measure moves next to the House.

The Hawaii Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed an adult-use legalization bill by a 22-3 margin. The measure still requires approval in the House.  

If enacted, the legislation would legalize possession of up to 30 grams by adults, reduce penalties for unlicensed cultivation and sales, allow adults to cultivate up to six plants within their residence, and expunge records for possession.  

The measure would also establish a Hawaii Cannabis Authority and require medical licensees to present a medical preservation plan before they are allowed to convert to dual-use businesses. 

In 2021, a similar measure died in the lower chamber. Earlier this month, during an appearance on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” program, House Speaker Scott Saiki (D) said he would rather the state wait on approving the reforms, preferring a working group to analyze the plan over the summer. 

A poll released in January by the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association found 86% of Hawaii residents surveyed backed the reforms, according to a KITV4 report. 

report released in January by the Dual Use Cannabis Task Force suggested cannabis tax revenues derived from adult-use cannabis sales could reach between $34 million and $53 million annually.  

During his campaign, Democratic Gov. Josh Green said if elected he would sign a cannabis legalization bill were it to make it to his desk. During a debate in October 2022, Green said the tax revenues would be used “in the development and recreation” of the state’s “mental healthcare system for the good of all,” according to a Spectrum News report. 

“I think that people already have moved past that culturally as a concern,” he said.  (Full Story)

In categories:Legalization Politics
Tags:
Next Post

Medical Marijuana is Good Enough for Most Oklahoma Voters

Voters in Oklahoma rejected a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adult use during a special election Tuesday by a margin of 62 percent, according to the Associated Press. More than 566,000 voters participated in the special election. Opposition was…
Read
Previous Post

Oklahoma voters go to polls on adult-use cannabis measure

Oklahoma voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to allow adults 21 and over to buy and consume cannabis. If the measure passes, the state will become the 22nd in the U.S. to legalize pot for adult…
Read
Random Post

Raekwon’s Cannabis Company Approved to Renovate Historic Newark Building for Consumption Lounge

Newark, New Jersey’s Central Planning Board on Tuesday approved plans by Architect Rachael Grochowski and Hashstoria to renovate a historical building in the city – the former home of engineering firm A.R. Meeker & Co and Stoutenburgh & Co. Newark…
Read
Random Post

The Best (and Worst) Ways to Store Your Weed

Whether you’re smoking boof, rolling up, or ripping a bong, without proper storage, you’re wasting your weed. You’re wasting money, too. Exposure to oxygen, sunlight, and heat are all factors that will degrade the flavor and freshness of your flower.…
Read
Random Post

House Committee Approves Bill to End Federal Ban on Cannabis Consumers Getting Security-Sensitive Jobs

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability last week voted 30-14 to advance a measure that would allow cannabis consumers to qualify for security clearances and become federal employees, GovExec reports. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md) and Nancy Mace (R-SC), would end…
Read
Random Post

Australia’s medical cannabis sales might surpass Canada’s in near future

Australia’s medical cannabis industry continues to experience brisk growth in patients and sales, and experts say the market could even surpass Canada’s medical sector this year. Australian patients generally access medical cannabis via two government-regulated programs: the so-called Special Access…
Read