Hawaii: Your attendance needed at marijuana decriminalization bill’s committee hearing

Published: February 23, 2010

 

Dear MPP Supporter: Last week, I wrote to you about two medical marijuana-related bills receiving committee hearings. Thanks in part to your calls in support of those bills, both of them received unanimous "yes" votes in their respective committees on Monday. SB 2213, which would allow counties to establish medical marijuana dispensaries, passed the Ways and Means Committee 10-0 (with two absences). The Health Committee voted 4-0, with two excused, to recommend passing SB 2141, which would increase the amount of medicine patients can grow and possess as well as allow caregivers to serve up to four patients (rather than only one under current law). There is more in store this week for marijuana reform in Hawaii, though. A bill making possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil violation subject to a fine of up to $100, SB 2450, is receiving a hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations. (You can view the bill by going here.) We urge you to attend this hearing to show your support for decriminalizing marijuana possession in Hawaii. What: Attend committee hearing on marijuana decriminalization bill Where: Conference Room 016, State Capitol, 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 When: Thursday, February 25, at 11:00 a.m.  If your senator is on the Judiciary and Government Operations committee, you should also call and ask him to support reducing penalties for marijuana possession. First you will need to determine who your senator is, if you do not already know. After you have determined who your senator is, you can check here to see if your senator is on the committee, and use our talking points to call and urge them to support the decriminalization bill. Finally, please send this alert to other concerned Hawaiians and ask them to support marijuana policy reform in Hawaii too. Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Sincerely, Eric M. McDaniel Legislative  Analyst Marijuana Policy Project