Hawaii Proposal Would Let Voters Decide Whether to Legalize Cannabis

Hawaii state Rep. David Tarna (D) wants to put a constitutional amendment legalizing adult-use cannabis on the ballot for voters to decide the issue. 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.