The Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives has returned to committee a bill aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older, a move likely to kill the measure this session in the House, disappointing advocates and sparking ongoing debate.
However, companion Senate Bill 1613 remains alive and is headed for a public hearing this week before two Senate committees.
House Bill 1246 House Draft 1 was initially recommended for passage by the House Committees on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture & Food Systems on Feb. 4. It was returned to committee Feb. 6.
Judiciary Chair David Tarnas, of Kohala, Hawaiʻi Island, and a leading proponent of the bill, told Maui Now via email that he was disappointed by the House leadership's decision to reverse course on the measure.
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