As a bill to legalize marijuana in Hawaii hangs in the balance in the state legislature, a House committee has amended and advanced separate legislation on Thursday that would expand the state’s current decriminalization of cannabis by increasing amounts of the substance for which people would not face the threat of jail time and reducing certain financial penalties.
After adopting a handful amendments to the underlying measure, SB 2487, members of the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) Committee voted 7–2 to recommend that the proposal be passed.
In its current form, the bill, sponsored by Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D), would specify that possession of an ounce of marijuana or less would be subject to a $25 civil fine. Under existing law in Hawaii, possession of up to three grams carries a $130 fine.
Between one and two ounces of cannabis, meanwhile, would be punishable as a petty misdemeanor—up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Currently that range is between three grams and an ounce, with anything between one ounce and one pound carrying a misdemeanor penalty of up to a year of incarceration and a $2,000 fine.
The bill would also create a new violation for smoking marijuana in a public area, which would carry a $130 fee with the possibility of community service.
“This is important,” Rep. David Tarnas (D), the JHA Committee chair, said of the public consumption change before the panel’s vote. “This is a significant step to deal with an issue that we heard coming up in the bill considered about legalizing cannabis use.”
Earlier this month, the Senate passed the broader legalization measure in a narrow, 25–23 floor vote. It next proceeds to the Finance Committee, where advocates expect a mixed reception.
Tarnas at Thursday’s hearing described some of the changes in the amended decriminalization bill as minor, technical fixes, while also incorporating provisions of the House bill, HB 1569, and feedback from various stakeholders, including advocacy groups such as the ACLU and Marijuana Policy Project.
Members of the panel had little discussion before holding the vote. The one representative who spoke out in opposition was Rep. Kanani Souza (R), who said she shares the view of the state’s Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Souza previously in voted in favor of the House version of the bill.
H/T: marijuanamoment.net
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