While the bill makes some modest improvements to the medical cannabis program, the conference committee revised it to include alarmingly punitive and intrusive provisions.

We are extremely disappointed that the Hawai’i Senate has both failed to schedule committee hearings on legalization by the deadline and it narrowly voted down a decriminalization expansion bill (S.B. 319).

On Monday, April 22nd, 2024, in a shocking turn of events, the Hawai’i Senate defeated the House-passed version of SB 2487, which would have expanded the state’s paltry decriminalization law. The Senate had previously approved an earlier version of SB 2487, 24-1. It had also passed full legalization, which died in the House Finance Committee.  Sen. Angus McKelvey was one of the 14 senators to flip from “yes” on March 5’s vote to “no” yesterday. He claimed, “The Senate sent a very good, reasonable…

On April 22nd, 2024, in a shocking turn of events, the Hawai’i Senate defeated the House-passed version of SB 2487, which would have expanded the state’s paltry decriminalization law. The Senate had previously approved an earlier version of SB 2487, 24-1. It had also passed full legalization, which died in the House Finance Committee.

We're sorry to report that Hawaii’s legalization bill has died without being scheduled for a hearing in House Finance. While this is disappointing, legalization got further this year than ever before and we’re not giving up until it crosses the finish line. The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. David Tarnas, is committed to continuing working on the bill and researching the issue in the interim.

These are some of the key states where we have the best shot to secure more victories in 2024!

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.

Tomorrow, the Hawai’i Legislature kicks off its 2022 session. You might recall that last year saw several legalization bills proposed in both chambers — with one passing the full Senate. All of those bills are still alive.

Earlier this week, we alerted you that the full Hawaii Senate overwhelmingly approved a legalization bill, S.B. 767, in a historic 20-5 vote. S.B. 767 has now been referred to the House Health, Human Services, & Homelessness Committee. It is now up to Committee Chair Rep. Ryan Yamane to schedule S.B. 767 for a hearing and a vote.

Exciting news! Earlier this week, two crucial cannabis bills passed the Hawaii Senate. The first measure, SB 767, would legalize cannabis and allow licensed businesses to cultivate, produce, and sell cannabis products. SB 767 passed the full Senate in a 20-5 vote.