Marijuana policy stalls in Honolulu; legislature adjourns

The 2011-2012 legislative session in Hawaii adjourned on May 3, 2012 without any major changes made to the state’s marijuana policy. The Senate overwhelmingly passed a handful of bills in 2011, but the House failed to take action on them before the end of session.

Many positive marijuana policy bills were introduced in 2011-2012. For instance, the Senate approved legislation that would have created a medical marijuana dispensary program in Hawaii. The Senate also supported a bill that would have removed the threat of jail time for the simple possession of marijuana. Adjournment also meant the death of a bill to exclude chronic pain patients from the medical marijuana program.

Thanks to each and every one of you who wrote your elected officials and submitted personal testimony in support of good marijuana policy and in opposition to bad bills. A huge thanks is due to The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and Matt Rifkin for their hands-on advocacy work in Honolulu.

Please subscribe to MPP's free email alerts to stay current on marijuana policy in Honolulu.

Marijuana Laws in Hawaii

Did you know that Hawaii has the lowest per capita arrest rate in the United States for marijuana offenses? If you would like to learn more about marijuana laws in Hawaii, you can read this in-depth report by Harvard University economist Jon Gettman, PhD.

Stay connected  

To stay updated on the status of marijuana policy reform in Hawaii, be sure to subscribe to MPP's free legislative alert service.