Hawaiian lawmakers have once again stalled a major recreational marijuana legislation, which would have established the infrastructure to regulate the industry if it is federally legalized in the future. The bill, which was over 300 pages long, aimed to centralize the regulation of hemp, recreational, and medical marijuana into one office, and would have set up a taxation model, reserved industry licenses for residents, and created pathways for disadvantaged communities to participate in the business.
The legislation was deferred due to concerns over the federal government’s timeline for rescheduling marijuana, which is currently classified as a Schedule I drug. While President Donald Trump issued an executive order in December directing the U.S. Department of Justice to reschedule marijuana to a lower-risk drug, the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation Chief Andrew Geoff explained that it is unclear when the federal government will take action.
Some lawmakers, such as Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, are skeptical about the need for the legislation, citing the uncertainty surrounding federal legalization and the potential impact on teenagers and low-income communities. However, others, like Hawaiʻi Alliance for Cannabis Reform’s Nikos Leverenz, argue that the state needs to position itself to participate in the industry if it is federally legalized, and to provide a framework for local businesses and farmers to participate.
Despite the stalled legislation, a measure to allow for low-potency cannabis is still advancing in the Senate, and a bill to expand access to medical marijuana to terminally ill seniors is still being considered. The fate of these bills will be determined by the end of the day Thursday, when all bills must make it to their final committee in their originating chamber to continue being considered this legislative session.
