Hawaii: Tell your state legislators it’s time to support legalization!
Medical Cannabis and Decriminalized
States that have both a medical marijuana law and have removed jail time for possessing small amounts of marijuana
Updates
Last update: May 09, 2022
Hawaii legislative session ends; legalization proposals fail to gain traction
On Wednesday, May 5, the Hawaii Legislature adjourned the 2022 legislative session. Several legalization proposals carried over from the prior year, but none were called for a hearing or vote in either chamber. However, both chambers passed HB 2260 – An Act Relating to Cannabis – which makes several updates to Hawaii’s medical cannabis program. You can find a summary of HB 2260 here.
Although outgoing Gov. David Ige (D) remains opposed, 73% of Hawaii residents support legalization, according to a Civiqs research poll. As we head into the election season, it’s more important than ever we let lawmakers know we want them to support a legal cannabis market that creates jobs and revenue for Hawaiian residents. Please sign up for our email updates on voter registration and the 2022 election voter guide.
Hawaii Dual Use Cannabis Task Force convenes
On Monday, April 25 , the Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force convened its first meeting. During the 2021 legislative session, SB 1139, which mandated the task force, was passed by both chambers and signed into law as Act 169. Under Act 169, the task force is charged with exploring the development of a dual system program of cannabis legalization and the impacts of legalization on qualifying patients, including access to medical cannabis by qualifying patients. The office of medical cannabis control and regulation is required to submit a report of the task force findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.
The task force is compromised of the following members:
Garret Halydier, Esq. – Adult-Use Legal Scholar and Proponent
Nikos Leverenz, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center – Patient Advocate
Wendy Gibson-Vivian, RN, BSN – Patient Advocate
Randy Gonce, Executive Director – Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association
Rep. Ryan I. Yamane – Hawaii House of Representatives
Sen. Joy A. San Buenaventura – Hawaii State Senate
Terilynne Gorman, Communications Team Manager – County of Maui
Ellen Ching, Administrator Boards and Commissions – County of Kauai
Dr. James Ireland, Director Honolulu Emergency Services – Certifying Medical Provider
Barett Otani, Executive Assistant – County of Hawaii
Jared Redulla, Chief Investigator Narcotics Enforcement Division – Department of Public Safety
Issac Choy, Director – Department of Taxation
Michele N. Nakata, Chief Office of Medical Cannabis Control, Department of Health
Jo Ann Uchida Takeuchi, Deputy Director, Department of Consumer Affairs
Dori Palcovich, Economic Development Specialist, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
The task force will meet every last Monday of the month from May until November. Meeting information can be found here.
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Last week, the Hawaii Legislature adjourned its legislative session. The Hawaii Senate approved a legalization bill in 2021 that carried over to 2022. Unfortunately, the House never gave it a public hearing or a vote, and several other legalization bills died without a vote.