Hawaii Official Announces Plan To Legalize Pot In 2023

On Jan. 11, members of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the ACLU of Hawaii spoke at a press conference in the Honolulu capital. The meeting was prompted by Hawaiian Rep. Jeanné Kapela to announce her cannabis legislation targeting criminal justice reform and other important considerations.

MPP Senior Legislative Counsel DeVaughn Ward opened the conference by discussing the importance of enacting successful legislation as soon as possible. “The marijuana ban has done untold harm to our communities, especially communities of color,” Ward said. “Legalizing cannabis is an opportunity to stop the harm it does to our residents and the waste of limited resources on public safety.”

Next, Nikos Leverenz of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii described the upcoming cannabis legislation as a “crucial opportunity” for lawmakers to address the needs of those affected by the War on Drugs. “Hawaii’s cannabis policy should focus on the needs of those harmed by the continued criminalization of cannabis and draconian drug laws,” Leverenz said. “At the same time, a properly regulated market for adult use will create many high-quality jobs and business opportunities across the state, including those related to cannabis tourism, craft cannabis and cannabis science.”

He also noted that in his official statement to the press, he asked if the red state of Missouri could legalize cannabis, preventing Hawaii from moving forward. He explained that cannabis crops would thrive in Hawaii, particularly if they brought in artisanal cannabis growers, the industry could contribute to a strong tourism sector for the state. “Hawaii has a rare opportunity this year to move forward and protect public health and create quality jobs and economic opportunities across the state, including our neighboring island communities,” he concluded.

ACLU Hawaii’s George Cordero spoke about the inhumane prison conditions in overcrowded Hawaii prisons due to low cannabis convictions and the long-term impact of cannabis use on personal balance sheets. “Having a marijuana conviction on your record can make it extremely difficult to find employment, apply for a credit card, find safe housing, and work for the rest of your life,” Cordero said. “Therefore, clarifying people’s marijuana convictions is a necessary condition for this legalization move.”

Kapela entered the stage. “We all know, and the people of Hawaii know, that it is high time adult recreational cannabis use was legalized in Hawaii. This year we stand on the precipice of history,” she explained. “Following the recommendations of a task force looking at cannabis policy, we now have a roadmap for legalizing recreational cannabis on our islands,” Kapela said, referring to a report released in December 2022 by the Cannabis Task Force of the Hawaii Department of Health.

Kapela did not give a timeline for the submission of her bill, but did explain some key points, including supporting the state’s mass incarceration dilemma by instituting a mass extermination program. “Social justice. People. That is at the heart of our proposal,” she explained.

Previously, the Hawaii Senate approved two cannabis reform bills in March 2021 that ultimately failed to move forward.

Former Hawaii Governor David Ige was not a strong supporter of cannabis legalization and has often expressed hesitation because of its federally illegal status. However, he allowed a law to be passed in January 2020 without his signature that decriminalized cannabis in the state.
However, newly elected governor Josh Green said in November 2022 that he would sign legislation legalizing it. “I think people have already culturally moved beyond that as a concern,” Green said during an October 2022 debate. “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.”