HONOLULU, Hawaii, (Feb. 20, 2023) – Last week, Hawaii Senate committees passed two bills to legalize marijuana for adult use despite ongoing federal cannabis prohibition.

Sen. Chris Lee (D) introduced Senate Bill 375 (SB375) along with six fellow Democrats and a Republican on Jan. 20. Under the proposed law, adults 21 and older could legally possess up to 4 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 10 plants in a locked area. The proposed law would also create a regulatory and tax scheme for the commercial sale of marijuana. The bill includes provisions to create a process for expunging prior cannabis convictions.

On Feb. 16, the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee passed SB375 by a 3-1 vote and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill 2-1.

Hawaii Senate Committees Pass Two Bills to Legalize Marijuana Despite Federal Prohibition