Legal & Regulatory

Hawaii Wants to Legalize Cannabis in 2023

Jeanné Kapela, representative of the State of Hawaii, announced during a press conference a plan to legalize cannabis which will include a social justice system. Kapela did not detail a timeline for introducing the bill but explained a few key points, including the ambition of the criminal records erasure program. “Social equity is what forms the heart of our proposal,” she explained.

Jeanné Kapela, representative of the State of Hawaii, announced during a press conference a plan to legalize cannabis which will include a social justice system.

For the moment, nothing is certain, and Kapela did not provide a timeline for introducing a bill. However, we will continue to follow this story and provide updates, which you can follow by downloading our free cannabis news app.

High Time to Legalize in Hawaii

“We all know, and the people of Hawaii know, that it is high time to legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults in Hawaii. This year, we are on the precipice of history,” Kapela explained.

“Following recommendations from a cannabis policy task force, we now have a roadmap to legalize recreational cannabis on our islands,” Ms. Kapela said, referring to a report released by the task force on cannabis from the Hawaii Department of Health in December 2022.

Some Details, but No Timeline

Kapela did not detail a timeline for introducing the bill but explained a few key points, including the ambition of the criminal records erasure program.

“Social equity is what forms the heart of our proposal,” she explained.

History of Cannabis Reform in Hawaii

In March 2021, the Hawaii Senate approved two cannabis reform bills that ultimately did not advance.

Former Hawaii Governor David Ige was not a die-hard supporter of cannabis legalization and often voiced his hesitation due to its federal illegality. However, he allowed a law to pass without his signature in January 2020, which decriminalized cannabis in the state.

Newly elected Governor Josh Green said in November 2022 that he would sign a legalization bill.

It’s Time to Advance Cannabis Reform in Hawaii

“I think people have already moved past this cultural concern,” Green said during an October 2022 debate.

“But here’s what I would do. First of all, if cannabis is legalized, it would have to be very carefully monitored, the same way cigarettes are. We would have to take the $30-40 million in taxes that we would get from this and invest in the development of our mental health system for the benefit of all.”

(Featured image by Tyler Lastovich via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in Newsweed, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.

Helene Lindbergh

Helene Lindbergh is a published author with books about entrepreneurship and investing for dummies. An advocate for financial literacy, she is also a sought-after keynote speaker for female empowerment. Her special focus is on small, independent businesses who eventually achieve financial independence. Helene is currently working on two projects—a bio compilation of women braving the world of banking, finance, crypto, tech, and AI, as well as a paper on gendered contributions in the rapidly growing healthcare market, specifically medicinal cannabis.

Recent Posts

Women Represent 61% of Home Cannabis Growers in the U.S.

A survey found that women comprise 61% of home cannabis growers, marking a diversion from…

5 hours ago

Denmark Proposes Making Its Medical Cannabis Program Permanent

Denmark plans to make its pilot medical cannabis program permanent following its success in treating…

1 day ago

Polish Lawmakers Petition Donald Tusk for Cannabis Decriminalization

Polish lawmakers have submitted a non-binding petition to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, urging cannabis decriminalization…

1 week ago

The UK Medical Cannabis Market: Growth, Diversification, and Opportunities

The UK medical cannabis market has rapidly grown since legalization in 2018, with private actors…

1 week ago

Alcohol & Cannabis: 60% of Cannabis Users Say It Helps Them Drink Less

A new study involving over 23,000 participants in New Zealand found that 60% of people…

1 week ago

French Interior and Justice Ministers Announce Measures to Combat Organized Crime

The French Ministers of the Interior and Justice announced a comprehensive plan to tackle organized…

1 week ago