Hawaii’s new session of legislative work begins this week. The Senate Democrats, who are in charge, say that the legalization of marijuana for adults is a priority policy for the coming year. They see the reform as an opportunity to boost Hawaii’s economy.
In a press release issued last week, the Senate majority listed their legislative priorities, including cannabis legalization, among other topics such as emergency preparedness and response, workforce development, educational issues, natural resource management, housing, and education.
The mention of marijuana appears in a chapter on economic development and infrastructure. The document states that “The Senate is committed to diversifying, expanding and improving Hawai’i’s economic infrastructure as well as its diversity.”
The Senate has stated that it will be focusing on the following in 2024: utilizing off-balance-sheet financing and private-public partnerships proposed by the Department of Budget and Finance in order to identify alternative revenue sources for programs and project; increasing investment in the repair of State facilities in each island; exploring the renting out of vacant State-owned properties to generate revenue; Investing in emerging industries in order to diversify the economic, such as film and tech; improving and maintaining the aging school buildings; expanding alternative energy infrastructure via the installation
The Senate leadership’s comments follow a revised legalization draft bill that Attorney General Anne Lopez, (D), submitted to legislators earlier this month. Lopez said that when she announced the bill, “she does not support the legalization adult-use cannabis.” Her office has stated it will not oppose the passage of cannabis legislation so long as it includes certain key provisions.
The Senate has passed a separate bill for legalization that is stalling the House. Lopez and other legislators have indicated that legalization could be passed in 2024.
Lopez stated at a hearing for confirmation last year that “I have changed our position, from being opposed to saying ‘that train left the station’.”
Karen O’Keefe is the director of state policy for the Marijuana Policy Project. She told Marijuana Moment that this could be the year Hawai’i pays attention to the voters and replaces the cannabis prohibition with regulation and legalization. The Hawaii Senate continues its priority to promote liberty, justice and economic growth. The AG has now drafted a comprehensive document that the legislature can use as a basis for discussion.
Nikos Leverenz of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai’i and Hawai’i Health and Harm Reduction Center said in an e-mail to Marijuana Moment, that the announced by Senate Democrats “recognizes that adult-use cannabis can bring in much needed tax revenue.” However, he warned, Lopez’s new legalization bill is “problematic insofar that it apportions future profits to special funds,” rather than allowing the legislature to spend
The 316-page document from the Attorney General would direct tax revenues to a number of special funds including cannabis regulation, social equality, public health, education and law enforcement, as well as nuisance abatement and law enforcement.
Leverenz stated that additional revenues could be used to fund youth programs, improvements in school facilities, science-based education and research, as well as access to behavioral health treatments. “Yet, the legislature should have the flexibility to use revenue according to their year-to-year priorities.”
He warned against excessive regulation, which could reduce the economic benefits that legalization would bring. Leverenz stated that the current medical cannabis and hemp industries highlight the economic weaknesses of excessive regulations, and bureaucratic opposition to making necessary adjustments.
O’Keefe, at MPP, said that the bill prepared by Lopez’s Office “needs to be revised to avoid prohibition 2.0,” pointing out rules such as safe storage and a THC driving limit which doesn’t necessarily indicate impairment.
Most legalization laws have modest civil penalties for minor infractions. She said that the AG-drafted law imposes harsh penalties for anything other than’strict compliance’. “An elderly couple living alone could face up to one year in prison if they choose to store their cannabis in an openable glass jar instead of child-resistant packaging that can be resealed and has original labels. A ‘per se standard’ that is not scientific will trap sober drivers even after the effects of impairment have worn off.
In November, the AG’s office defended a version of the legislation it had put forward that month, after Honolulu prosecuting attorney Steve Alm stated law enforcement were firmly opposed to legalizing marijuana in any form and Lopez’s proposal specifically.
David Day, an assistant special in the Attorney General’s Office, stated at the time, that Alm’s concerns were exaggerated and that the legalization measures that have been proposed deliberately take into consideration law enforcement perspectives.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
He said that the Department of Law Enforcement (the state’s top law enforcement agency) worked with the Department of the Attorney General to develop this bill. “We’ve presented a bill which tries to minimize as many of these risks as possible,” he said.
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee chair, Jarrett Keohokalole, (D), called it “the best version so far.”
The separate legalization legislation that passed the Senate in march is still being considered in the two-year session.
Under the former Democratic Governor. Dave Ige resisted the legalization of marijuana in part because, he claimed, he did not want to do anything that would conflict with federal law.
Since Gov. Josh Green (D), who took office in January, has given activists more confidence. He stated in 2022 that, if elected to office, he would sign a law legalizing cannabis for adults. He also had some ideas on how the tax revenue could best be used.
In April of last year, the Hawaii Legislature also passed a resolution urging the Governor to establish a program of clemency for those with previous marijuana convictions.
In August, , a state task force on psychedelics that was created under the Governor’s Office had its first meeting. Experts are working to prepare the state for regulated access to new therapies such as psilocybin or MDMA.
Top Biden Health Official in Touch With DEA Regarding Marijuana Rescheduling
The post Marijuana Legalization among Hawaii’s Senate Majority’s Top Legislative Goals first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
