Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review

from Hawaii Family Forum, March 29, 2024

How Much Pot Does One Person Need?

Legalized recreational marijuana may very well be the desire of some Hawaii legislators. However, it can be scary when they do so under the radar. As of this email, the House Finance Committee has not scheduled a hearing on the recreational marijuana bill. The bill must move out of the Finance Committee and be in final form (with a committee report) by April 5th. If it gets scheduled, we will let you know.

However, did you know that the law regarding the possession of marijuana has already been changed in small increments? This was, in part, due to the testimony of those who claim that arrests for possession of marijuana detrimentally affect the Native Hawaiian community.
Act 273, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, decriminalized the possession of up to three grams of marijuana, making it a violation that can be punished with a $130 fine. This year, lawmakers are proposing to expand the law even further. SB2487 SD1, currently under review, would raise the allowable amount from three grams to one ounce (28.3495 grams).

To put it into perspective, three grams of marijuana can make six or seven joints, which is considered for personal use.  However, an ounce, equivalent to 60 joints, is typically seen as a "dealer's quantity."  

Why would one person need that much pot? We may get de-facto legalization under the guise of decriminalization.

Another Abortion Resolution

A resolution does not have the force of law, but it does convey the "will" of the legislature. Despite being one of the most liberal states when it comes to abortion, Hawaii's legislature continues to keep the conversation about abortion at the forefront.

Last week we reported on House Resolution (HR1) and House Concurrent Resolution (HCR5). Hawaii's State Senate held a joint Health and Human Services Committee and Judiciary Committee hearing this week on Monday, March 25.  SCR14 urges the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation to monitor the Alliance for Hippocratic medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration and take action to limit the case from further restricting access to safe abortion options.  Keep in mind that the House Health Committee passed their version of the exact resolution (HCR 6) on March 20th.

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 
3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Elefante, San Buenaventura;
1 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard; and 
1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HHS were as follows: 
3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Keohokalole
2 Excused: Senator(s) Shimabukuro, Awa.

We appreciate the no vote of Senator Gabbard.
STATUS:  The resolution will now move to the full Senate floor for a vote.

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines & Events

APR 3 FIRST CROSSOVER FILING FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS –Filing Deadline for First Crossover for concurrent resolutions. 
APR 4 FIRST CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS –Deadline for passing the single floor vote for adoption required for resolutions in order to move from the originating chamber to the other chamber. 
APR 4 SINGLE REFERRAL FILING (HOUSE BILLS) – Deadline to file Senate committee reports on single referral House Bills 
APR 5 SECOND DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for bills that have been amended by the non-originating chamber to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of that chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48-hour opportunity for final review by the non-originating chamber’s members before third reading. 
APR 11 SECOND CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber in order to “cross back” to the originating chamber.

Catch Up on the Faith and Family First Podcast

Eva and Jim discuss the "Letter to the American Church" documentary in this episode and why Churches should host a free screening.