Hawaii marijuana policy reform legislation stalled

Hawaii legislators failed to take action on three different marijuana policy reform issues during the 2005-2006 legislative session. The Hawaii Legislature dallied on a bill that would remove the criminal penalties from marijuana possession and two bills that would implement dramatic and needed reforms in the state’s medical marijuana program. Now, the deadlines for committees to consider the bills have passed.

Voice your disappointment and frustration with the legislature by writing a letter-to-the-editor to your local newspapers. Our automated system gives you the option of using pre-written talking points or crafting your own message. The letter will be sent to up to five local newspapers of your choosing.

Twin bills H.B. 1751 and S.B. 1056 would remove the criminal penalties for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana by individuals aged 18 or older. Instead, possession of small amounts of marijuana would be a civil violation punishable by a fine of no more than $100.

Hawaii’s legislators have also failed to act on H.B. 1046 and S.B. 128, which would improve the state’s medical marijuana program. In fact, legislators not only ignored this needed reform but had the gall to amend the bills with provisions that would decrease the amount of marijuana that patients could possess.

H.B. 1046 would transfer administration of the medical marijuana program from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Health. Under Public Safety, the program has faced significant administrative problems, poorly serviced patients, and — due to placing the program in the Division of Narcotics Enforcement — made many patients feel uncomfortable about being in the program.

S.B. 128 is an equally critical reform that would raise the permissible amount of marijuana possessed by patients from three plants to five plants and from one ounce to three ounces of usable marijuana. In addition, the bill permits additional debilitating conditions to qualify for treatment with medical marijuana and clarifies procedures for registering with the program for both patients and caregivers.

Please take action now and write a letter-to-the-editor urging support for these direly needed reforms for the medical marijuana program.

Your state legislators have stalled on implementing these much-needed reforms for long enough. Change begins with you; by making your voice heard, you are instrumental in pushing marijuana policy reform to Hawaii.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please pass this on so that even more Hawaiians can participate in reform.