Hawaiʻi Senate advances “low-dose” cannabis legalization bill

Several cannabis bills in Hawai'i weren’t called before a key deadline, and the clock ran out on them. But others advanced — including a bill to legalize cannabis with up to five milligrams per serving for adults 21 and older (SB 3275, SD 1).

While we’d like to see amendments to the bill, it is an important step forward. At the hearing, Honolulu prosecutor Steve Alm called legalization “addiction for profit,” suggesting regular cannabis consumers — many of whom use cannabis as a natural medicine —  are “addicts!” Two Democratic lawmakers on the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee voted “no” after saying they heard from constituents who opposed legalization.

It’s time to make some noise! If you live in Hawai'i, you can use our free software to send a message to your state senator and representative. Ask them to vote “yes” on SB 3275, to stop ruining lives over cannabis! You may also want to look up your senator’s phone number and give them a call. You can let them know adults shouldn’t be punished for using a plant that is safer than alcohol, and that is a medicine for many. 

For the status of other cannabis bills, check out this rundown. Among the bills that are still alive is a bill to allow medical cannabis patients to make a purchase before they get their 329 card, and a bill to repeal the alarming language we opposed from last year’s HB 302.