Committee passes marijuana decriminalization bill
A measure that would decriminalize the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana passed its first committee hearing on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 758 would increase from 3 grams to 1 ounce the minimum amount of marijuana that a defendant must possess to be charged with a petty misdemeanor. It would also permit persons previously convicted of possessing 1 ounce or less of marijuana to have the conviction expunged from their criminal record.
The proposal was taken up by the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, which is comprised of Sens. Clarence Nishihara (D-Oahu), J. Kalani English (D-Maui), Rosalyn H. Baker (D-Maui), Gil Riviere (D-Oahu), Kurt Fevella (R-Oahu).
