Hawaii remains the only state with three Democratic governors and no program for adult cannabis use. It doesn’t look like 2025 will be the reform year in Hawaii.
It’s because Hawaii House Rep. Chris Todd (D-Hilo) introduced on February 6, a motion for a recommitment of an adult-use marijuana bill, before the second reading could be held and debated on the floor.
A motion passed via voice vote that effectively tabled House Bill 1246 until the next year.
The bill aims to allow adults 21 years and older to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis or 5 grams of cannabis concentrate and grow up to six plants in their homes for personal use—but no more than 10 plants for households with multiple adults—as well as set up a licensed, regulated and taxed marketplace for commercial operators.
Hawaii is the oldest medical market in America. In 2000 it was among the most progressive in terms of cannabis reform.
After the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems both voted in favor of the full floor discussion, two days later, the House voted on a motion to refer the bill back to committee until 2026.
Todd, as a Judiciary Committee member on February 4, voted to advance the bill before his Feb. 6 motion to stop the full discussion on the bill.
Todd, a Honolulu newspaper reporter said: “It became apparent that we didn’t have enough support for this measure to be passed in this session.” Civil Beat After the voice vote on Thursday.
Five House members rejected the motion in writing before the vote.
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto of Ala Moana said she did not like the fact that the motion was brought up before the third and second readings, which would have prevented members of Congress who were not on these two committees to be able hear about the bill’s merits.
I never got the chance to be in a committee and hear this bill being debated. I had been looking forward to asking and hearing questions,” said she. If we recommit the bill it would delay its application and it could lead to mayhem. [presidential] [reschedules or deschedules cannabis] We are in a position where there is no regulation.”
Iwamoto stated that she wanted to have the chance to talk about the bill, even if she didn’t agree with its substance.
Reps. Della Au Belatti, D-Makiki; Amy Perruso, D-Waipi‘o Acres; Terez Amato, D-Mā‘alaeal; and Kanani Souza, R-Kapolei, also opposed the motion.
Belatti noted that in his 18-year tenure, it was rare for a bill to be recommitted on second reading.
Perruso added, “I’m really grateful for the conversation, the debate, and the discussion in this whole process. For me, it is very important.” It is disappointing to have the discussion cut off so soon in the process.
Souza made a point of parliamentary inquiry to ask House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, D-Hā‘ena, why Todd offered the motion to recommit the bill.
Nakamura, after a brief recess denied that the investigation had taken place.
Nakamura replied, “There won’t be a response.”
Sean Quinlan of D-Waialua was the sole representative that spoke out in support.
He said, “Similarly to last session we were not able to reach consensus. I believe it’s time to concentrate on areas in which we can find consensus. To focus on the legislation that we will be able to send to the Senate and on what we want to achieve for the citizens of Hawaii.”
The people of Hawaii, however, want adult-use cannabis legalized, an issue that 58% of the state’s adults support, according to a late 2023 Hawai’i Perspectives poll conducted by Pacific Resource Partnership.
Hawaii House Finance Committee refused to conduct a hearing on the bill last year, despite the fact that the Hawaii Senate had passed the adult use legalization legislation for a second consecutive year in March 2024. The Committee Chair Kyle T. Yamashita of Keahua called at that time the legalization effort a “deeply dividing issue”.
Senate Bill 1613, the bill that would have replaced the Hawaii House House Bill blocking cannabis reform, remains in the committee stage.
This legislation will decriminalize adult cannabis and establish a market for regulating it. In addition, this bill will create the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The office is intended to be the regulatory leader of the medical and adult cannabis programs and the hemp program of the state.
A 14% excise duty would apply to adult-use cannabis, and the 4% state tax would remain on the sale of medical cannabis.
Following the accounting of expenses related to running a regulated marijuana program, net tax revenue would be allocated in accordance with:
- 30 % of the grant money goes to social equity programs;
- 10 % to the public health grant and education program
- Grants of up to 10% are available for a program promoting public safety.
- The grant will be 5% of the total amount.
- The allocation of 5% is based on the revenue generated by each county.
- The Attorney General’s Office will receive 5% of the proceeds for drug-related nuisance abatement.
- The Attorney General’s Office will receive 5% for its Special Investigation and Prosecution division in order to combat money laundering, organized crime and other forms of criminal activity.
The remaining 30% is not clear if it will be invested in Hawaii’s Treasury, or if administrative costs of the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office.
Existing medical cannabis operators would be required to pay a one-time conversion fee of $50,000 per dispensary location and $25,000 per cultivation/production facility to transition to the adult-use market under the legislation.
The applicant for a new license must have attained the age of 25 and resided in Hawaii for at least 5 years. They also cannot be convicted for a crime.
Medical operators who converted their licenses to adult-use would have a limit of 3,500 sq. ft. of indoor canopy and 5,000 sq. ft. of outdoor canopy. They could also only grow a maximum 15,000 plants indoors.
The 300+ page bill contains many other provisions.
The House is still uncertain about the law, even though the Senate may pass it this session.
Hawaii remains the only state with three Democratic governors and no program for adult cannabis use. It doesn’t look like 2025 will be the reform year in Hawaii.
This is because Hawaii House Rep. Chris Todd of Hilo introduced an unusual motion on Feb. 6 to recommit a bill for adult use cannabis before it could go through a second read and be debated in the chamber.
A motion passed via voice vote that effectively tabled House Bill 1246 until the next year.
The bill aims to allow adults 21 years and older to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis or 5 grams of cannabis concentrate and grow up to six plants in their homes for personal use—but no more than 10 plants for households with multiple adults—as well as set up a licensed, regulated and taxed marketplace for commercial operators.
Hawaii, which was the first to legalize the use of medical cannabis in 2000 through a legislative act, is now the country’s oldest market for medical-only cannabis.
Two days earlier, the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, which voted 6-0, and the Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems, with a 5-0 vote, had voted to bring the legislation to full consideration on the House floor.
Todd had voted for the bill’s advancement on the 4th, before he made his decision to end the floor debate on the Bill on 6th February.
Todd said to Honolulu Newspapers that “on this particular bill,” it became apparent that there was not enough support in the session for us to pass this measure. Civil Beat After the voice vote on Thursday.
Five House members rejected the motion in writing before the vote.
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto of Ala Moana said she did not like the fact that the motion was brought up before the second and third readings, which prevented members of Congress who were not on these two committees to be able hear about the bill’s merits.
I never had the opportunity to be seated in a committee and hear this bill being debated before me. She said, “I was eager to hear and ask questions.” If we recommit the bill it would delay its application and it could lead to mayhem. [presidential] [reschedules or deschedules cannabis] We are in a position where there is no regulation.”
Iwamoto stated that she wanted to have the chance to talk about the bill, even if she didn’t agree with its substance.
Reps. Della Au Belatti, D-Makiki; Amy Perruso, D-Waipi‘o Acres; Terez Amato, D-Mā‘alaeal; and Kanani Souza, R-Kapolei, also opposed the motion.
Belatti stated, “It’s important to remember that in the 18 years I have been here it is rare for a bill to be recommitted on second-reading.”
Perruso added, “I’m really grateful for the conversation, the debate, and the discussion in this whole process. For me, it is very important.” It is disappointing to have the discussion cut off so soon in the process.
Souza made a point of parliamentary inquiry to ask House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, D-Hā‘ena, why Todd offered the motion to recommit the bill.
Nakamura, after a brief recess denied that the investigation had taken place.
Nakamura replied, “There won’t be a response.”
Sean Quinlan of D-Waialua was the sole representative that spoke out in support.
He said, “Similarly to last session we were not able to reach consensus. I believe it’s time to concentrate on areas in which we can find consensus. To focus on the legislation that we will be able to send to the Senate and on what we want to achieve for the citizens of Hawaii.”
The people of Hawaii, however, want adult-use cannabis legalized, an issue that 58% of the state’s adults support, according to a late 2023 Hawai’i Perspectives poll conducted by Pacific Resource Partnership.
Hawaii House Finance Committee killed the last year’s bill when they refused to have a public hearing. The Committee Chair Kyle T. Yamashita of Keahua called at that time the legalization effort a “deeply dividing issue”.
Senate Bill 1613 is the companion bill to the Hawaii House blockade of cannabis reform. It’s still in committee.
This legislation will decriminalize adult cannabis and establish a market for it. In addition, this bill will create the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This office is the main regulatory body in charge of the medical and adult cannabis programs and the hemp program of the state.
The bill would also impose a tax of 14% on sales for adult use, but the 4% state tax would still apply to medical cannabis.
Following the accounting of expenses for running an regulated cannabis program and tax revenue, net profits would be allocated in this way:
- Grants of up to 30% for a program of social equity;
- 10 % to the public health grant and education program
- Grants of up to 10% are available for a program that promotes public safety.
- The grant will be 5% of the total amount.
- The allocation of 5% is based on the revenue generated by each county.
- To the Attorney General’s office, 5% for drug-related nuisance abatement.
- To prevent money laundering and organised crime, 5% of the proceeds will be given to the Attorney General’s Office for their Special Investigation and Prosecution Division.
Uncertain is whether the 30% remaining would go to the Hawaii Treasury Fund or be used for administrative expenses at the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office.
Existing medical cannabis operators would be required to pay a one-time conversion fee of $50,000 per dispensary location and $25,000 per cultivation/production facility to transition to the adult-use market under the legislation.
The applicant for a new license must have attained the age of 25 and resided in Hawaii for at least 5 years. They also cannot be convicted for a crime.
Medical operators who converted their licenses to adult-use would have a limit of 3,500 sq. ft. of indoor canopy and 5,000 sq. ft. of outdoor canopy. They could also only grow a maximum 15,000 plants indoors.
The 300+ page bill contains many other provisions.
The House is still uncertain about the law, even though the Senate may pass it this session.
Cannabis Law Resources for Poland
Browse essential legal pages on cannabis sales and cultivation in Poland. These guides will help you understand the legal requirements, such as certifications, permits, and compliance.
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Polish News Registration and Interests of Cannabis Businesses
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Permissions for Cannabis Sales in Poland
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Authorization for Importing or Manufacturing Medical Products
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Permission for Manufacturing or Importing Medical Products
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Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
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Registration of Medical Products in Poland