Hawaii Proposal Would Let Voters Decide Whether to Legalize Cannabis

Hawaii state Rep. David Tarna (D) is planning to introduce a bill later
this month to put a cannabis legalization constitutional amendment on the
ballot for voters to decide, Honolulu Star Advertiser reports.

“My intention behind this is to protect public safety, to protect consumer
safety and to support public education campaigns so that adults will use
cannabis responsibly.” — Tarnas, in the report

The proposal will require at least a two-thirds majority to pass the
Legislature, and the legalization issue is unpopular with many elected
officials. Additionally, if the question does ultimately go to voters, the
number of “yes” votes would need to outnumber both the number of “no” votes
and blank ballots to pass, the report said.

Currently, cannabis is legal only for medical purposes in Hawaii.

House lawmakers last year advanced a cannabis legalization bill through
multiple committees, but the reforms never reached the House floor for
consideration.

In June, Gov. Josh Green vetoed a bill to allow medical cannabis patients
to get certified for the program via telehealth doctor’s appointments.