Hawaii: Act today to advance medical marijuana study bill

Numerous marijuana policy bills were introduced this year in Hawaii. Although most of them are currently on hold, lawmakers are now considering more than 10 marijuana-related resolutions and a study bill — SB 1058 — that would establish a task force to examine crucial issues surrounding Hawaii's medical marijuana law. This bill passed the Senate 25-0 and is ready for its third reading in the House, so please send your representative an e-mail in support of SB 1058.

If established, the task force would: (1) Examine current state statutes, state administrative rules, and all county policies and procedures relating to the medical marijuana program; (2) Examine all issues and obstacles that qualifying patients have encountered with the medical marijuana program; (3) Examine all issue and obstacles that state and county law enforcement agencies have encountered with the medical marijuana program; (4) Compare and contrast Hawaii's medical marijuana program with all other state medical marijuana programs; and (5) Address other issues and perform any other function necessary as the task force deems appropriate, relating to the medical marijuana program.

After you've taken action on the study bill, please call your state senator in support of the marijuana-related resolutions currently making their way through the Senate.

If you want to do even more to stand up for sensible policy, you can also call your representative and ask him or her to vote "yes" on the task force bill — SB 1058 — as well as support the resolutions currently in the House.

Resolutions do not have the force and effect of law. They may request that an agency study a proposal or problem and report back to the legislature. They may also request action by the president of the United States, Hawaii's congressional delegation, the governor, or officials or agencies of other governmental jurisdictions.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project and all of our allies. Please forward this alert along to others so they too can take action.