Though the effort to legalize cannabis in Hawaii fell short this year, lawmakers are moving forward on other cannabis-related legislation, including plans to expand the state's limited decriminalization law and establish a task force on expungement.
This week House lawmakers gave initial approval to both the decriminalization bill, SB 2487, as well as a separate measure, SB 2706, that would create a task force to develop a state-initiated program to clear past criminal records, including for cannabis offenses.
Both pieces of legislation passed second readings on the House floor on Wednesday, with final third reading votes expected in that chamber early next week.
Meanwhile a separate, cannabis-specific expungements bill, HB 1595, was abruptly scheduled for a Friday hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee after it had appeared to potentially be dead for the session.
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