Hawaii Lawmakers Renew Push to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis with Constitutional Amendment Proposal

LOS ANGELES- Hawaii lawmakers introduced House Bill 519, proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis for adults aged 21 and over. The bill seeks to amend Article IX of the Hawaii State Constitution, allowing individuals to possess and use cannabis, while granting the legislature authority to regulate its possession, distribution, use, and taxation.

This legislative effort follows previous attempts to legalize adult-use cannabis in Hawaii. In early 2024, the Hawaii Senate passed Senate Bill 3335, which aimed to legalize recreational cannabis and establish a regulatory framework for its production and distribution. However, the bill did not advance in the House of Representatives.

In 2021, the Hawaii State Legislature established the Dual Use of Cannabis Task Force to explore the development of a dual system program for the legalization of cannabis and to assess its impacts on qualifying medical patients. The task force was tasked with submitting a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature prior to the 2023 session.

Despite these efforts, previous proposals to legalize recreational cannabis in Hawaii have faced challenges. In April 2024, House leaders cited potential impacts as a reason for halting a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana.

The introduction of House Bill 519 represents a renewed effort by Hawaii lawmakers to address the legalization of recreational cannabis, reflecting ongoing discussions and evolving perspectives on cannabis policy within the state.