Hawaii Cannabis Bill fails, ending legalization hopes for 2023

Hawaii will have to wait at least another year before legalizing marijuana comes to the islands after a bill in the state House of Representatives stalled.

Earlier this month, the Hawaii State Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation that would legalize adult use of cannabis and create the regulatory framework for a recreational marijuana market.

However, according to MJBizDaily, this bill “was not scheduled for a State House hearing before a key legislative deadline,” meaning the 2023 proposal is likely dead.

It’s a well-known outcome for marijuana advocates in Hawaii, where Democrats control both houses of the legislature. The state’s governor, Josh Green, is also a Democrat.

MJBizDaily reported that senior leadership in the State House also “vetoed three previous legalization proposals introduced in this chamber in February when those bills were also not scheduled for hearing.”

Despite its smooth passage by the State Senate, the legalization bill has encountered obstacles in the State House as well.

One of the leaders in that chamber, House Speaker Scott Saiki, has “said that he thinks it best if the state waits to authorize recreational marijuana use,” according to outlet Civil Beat, and that he ” would rather see a working group analyze the idea over the summer.”

The bill was passed by two state Senate committees earlier this month, with one of the legislative bodies adding a host of amendments to the measure.

According to local news channel KHON2, these changes included: “1. Added language to specify civil penalties for unlicensed cannabis cultivation and distribution activities; 2. Added wording that protects employers attempting to ban cannabis use among their employees; 3. Advertising ban within 1,000 feet of youth-centric areas; 4. Proposed licensing of cultivation, manufacturing, testing and retail facilities that will ensure a properly regulated industry while preventing future consolidation and monopoly control of cannabis dispensaries.”

The bill passed the entire state Senate by a vote of 22 to 3.

Green, who was elected governor last year, has expressed support for marijuana legalization.

“I think people have already moved past that culturally as a concern,” Green said during a gubernatorial debate last year. “But here’s what I would do. First off, if marijuana is legalized it should be monitored very carefully and only treated like cigarettes, or I’ve taken great care to regulate tobacco over the years. We should take the $30-40 million in taxes that we would get out of it and invest it in the development and renewal of our mental health system for the benefit of all.”

As the bill made its way through the state Senate this month, an aide to the governor made it clear that the measure would likely get his signature.

“Governor Green supports the legalized use of cannabis by adults, provided that any legislation that arises protects public safety and consumers, and ensures product safety through testing and tracking. The Governor is also committed to ensuring the continued viability of our medicinal cannabis industry. Because these are complicated issues, he has encouraged his departments to voice their concerns and make suggestions as to whether there are ways to defuse them. If a bill passes the legislature that addresses its key concerns, it has indicated that it is likely to sign it,” the adviser said at the time.

There is also public support for legalization coupled with political support. A poll released earlier this year found that 52% of Hawaiians support legalizing adult-use marijuana, while just 31% oppose it.