Hawaii's Senate has passed legislation to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis in the state, sending the proposal next to the House of Representatives. The legislation, SB 3335, would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates and would establish a framework for licensed, regulated sales.
Senators voted 19-6 to approve the legalization bill on Tuesday, advancing a version with amendments made in committee last week. The Senate also passed a separate cannabis decriminalization bill, SB 2487, on a 24–1 vote, with only Sen. Kurt Fevella (R) opposed. Under that measure, possession of more than 15 grams of cannabis would be a third-degree violation, while possession of more than 30 grams would be a second-degree violation.
Last year the Senate passed a separate legalization bill that later stalled the House, but advocates are hopeful this year's proposal could get further. Gov. Josh Green (D) said last month that legalization is a "big social issue that remains" to be addressed in the state, signaling that he'd likely sign a bill to end cannabis prohibition if lawmakers send him one.
This year's current more-than-300-page bill was formally introduced in both chambers in January and is largely based on a legalization plan unveiled by state Attorney General Anne Lopez (D).
Read more at marijuanamoment.net