HB1246 Relating to Cannabis is scheduled for hearing on 
Tuesday, February 4th in the committee(s) below.

Aloha     Jan 28, 2025

You are receiving this notice because you live in the district of a legislator who sits on either the House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee and/or the House Committee of Agriculture and Food Systems.  They have scheduled a hearing next week Tuesday on a bill that will legalize the use of recreational marijuana.  This includes edibles!

With this bill, the legislature aims to legalize cannabis for personal use as a logical step based on current scientific understanding and evolving public attitudes. Lawmakers believe legalization will boost economic development, generate tax revenue, and help reduce crime, making it a beneficial move for the state.  

The legislature seeks to establish legal protections from state and county criminal prosecution for individuals and businesses that strictly comply with cannabis regulations, ensuring a "safe and regulated market."

--COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY & HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS

--COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & FOOD SYSTEMS

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 2025

TIME: 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE or Conference Room 325 State Capitol, 415 South Beretania Street

OVERALL GENERAL VIEW OF THE 311-PAGE BILL: 
Legislative Plan of Action for Cannabis Legalization

The legislature is taking a structured approach to legalizing and regulating cannabis in Hawaii with the following key steps:

Create a Legal Framework (Hawaii Cannabis Law)
Implement a Cannabis Tax System
Address Public Safety Concerns
Update Existing Laws

Amend statutes to reflect the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
Decriminalize certain marijuana-related offenses.

Establish Regulatory Infrastructure
Ensure a Smooth Transition - Make necessary adjustments to state laws to support the legalization and regulation of cannabis.

ACTION: 

Please take a moment to:

1) Pray for the legislators hearing the bill that they would act on what's best for Hawaii and not on the potential revenue.  We need to look at the issue through the lens of safety and caution and not potential income to the State.

2) Contact your legislator by clicking this link and ask them politely to VOTE NO ON HB1246 Relating to Cannabis.

3) You can also send in testimony by clicking this link.  You do not need to be present in person to submit testimony.  Testimony must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. on Monday the 3rd.

If you need talking points: click here. (We are still working on this sheet but it will give you enough information to get a head start!)

You can also get more resources from SMART APPROACHES TO MARIJUANA.

Mahalo for your time and consideration!

Eva Andrade
President/CEO
Hawaii Family Forum