A Senate-passed marijuana legalization bill in Hawaii has survived a close vote on the House floor, with members narrowly advancing the proposal to its final legislative committee as some lawmakers who oppose the reform warned of dire threats to public safety and everyday life in the state.
After nearly an hour and a half of discussion Friday, the chamber voted 25–23 to refer the bill in its current form to the House Finance Committee, where some lawmakers have indicated it could face a critical reception. Of those 25 yes votes, three members formally expressed reservations with the plan.
Some of those who spoke out against the proposal included members of the finance panel where SB 3335 goes next. Rep. Gene Ward (R), for one, warned that if the bill becomes law, “homelessness is going to be catalyzed by the increase in use of marijuana.”
The more-than-300-page bill was formally introduced in both chambers in January and is based on a legalization plan written by state Attorney General Anne Lopez (D), who was appointed in December 2022 by Gov. Josh Green (D), a supporter of legalization. It would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates.
The legislation’s House sponsor, Rep. David Tarnas (D), called the bill “a reasonable and moderate and measured approach to regulating the legal use of cannabis by adults in Hawaii.”
“Legalizing cannabis for use by adults will actually have significant public safety and public health benefits for our community,” he said. “It will better protect youth from drug use through education and investment in youth programs. It will reduce drug violence. It will promote public safety by allowing people to buy from legitimate businesses not on the illegal market. It will ensure that the cannabis products purchased are safe, free from contaminants like fungus and mold or even worse, methamphetamine and fentanyl. It will allow us to tax and regulate cannabis products, which currently provide no tax or revenue to the state.”
The Senate passed a version of the bill earlier this month, and in recent weeks it’s been making its way through several House committees.
H/T: marijuanamoment.net
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