By Monterey Bud

 

Hawaiian lawmakers started the 2017 legislative session on an elevated note last week by cultivating four progressive marijuana bills. The most important of which could put Hawaii in a very exclusive group of states — those with legalized marijuana.

After first establishing their medical marijuana program in 2000, Hawaii’s new H.B. 205 seeks to legalize and tax adult-use marijuana consumption for those 21 years of age or older. If passed, House Bill 205 would regulate Hawaii’s legal marijuana market like alcohol. Keeping nonviolent pot smokers out of jail while generating new tax revenue, H.B. 205 would allow legitimate taxpaying businesses to cultivate Hawaii’s newest industry.

“H.B. 205: Personal Use of Marijuana – Licenses to Cultivate, Manufacture, Test, or Sell Marijuana. Authorizes persons 21 years of age or older to consume or possess limited amounts of marijuana for personal use. Provides for the licensing of marijuana cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, safety testing facilities, and retail stores. Applies an excise tax on transactions between marijuana establishments.”

Approved on its initial reading, S.B. 169 provides some much-needed legal cover for Hawaii’s consumers of marijuana concentrates.

“ S.B. 169: Marijuana, Marijuana Concentrate- Personal Use. Allows the possession and distribution of marijuana or marijuana concentrate for personal use; provided that the amount of marijuana or marijuana concentrate does not exceed one ounce and is used for private, personal, or recreational purposes by persons twenty-one years of age or older. Creates a defense to a marijuana-related offense if the marijuana or marijuana concentrate was for personal use, except for possession by or distribution to a minor.”

In the hopes of saving approximate $10 million annually, the Hawaiian House of Representatives is contemplating House Bill 107, aimed at decriminalizing the personal possession of small quantities of marijuana.

“ H.B. 107: Marijuana, Possession, Violation – Decriminalizes and establishes civil adjudicatory proceedings at the district court level for the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.”

Senate Bill 120 acknowledges the medicinal value of cannabis and seeks to reassess the classification of marijuana under Hawaiian law. If approved, SB 120 would mandate Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety provide a written report of its assessment and determination to the state legislature no later than 20 days before the beginning of Hawaii’s 2018 legislative session.

“S.B. 120: Marijuana; Uniform Controlled Substances Act – Schedule I Drugs. Requires the Department of Public Safety to reassess the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under state law and to report its findings to the Legislature.”

Tired of wasting taxpayer dollars and productive lives, a January 2014 poll showed 66% of surveyed Hawaiians support the forward-thinking idea of legalizing and taxing adult-use marijuana for the benefit of all island residents.