The prospect of marijuana legalization in Hawaii is dead for now but cannabis decriminalization is still alive and well.

House lawmakers approved a bill this week to create a task force that would lower fines for cannabis possession and clear past criminal records for marijuana offenses.

“Right now, it is $130 fine, for possession of sic joints or three grams — that is decriminalized,” stated Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm, of the measure that would reduce the fine to $25 and increase up to one ounce the amount of marijuana people will be allowed to possess.

“Heavily fining or putting people in jail for possession of some small amount simply serves to impair people to hold a job, get loans, things you need to advance in society,” said Sen. Chris Lee (D), one of the bill’s authors, reported Island News.

“Decriminalizing possession of cannabis is something that is a big step forward,” added Lee. He says it is a big step toward legalization.

Why Was Full Legalization Killed?

House Finance Committee chair Rep. Kyle Yamashita (D) cited budgetary constraints considering August's devastating wildfires in Maui and the "period of fiscal uncertainty" that followed.

"During an abnormally fiscally challenging year, the committee must prioritize addressing wildfire-related expenses after the August 8 tragedy in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui," Yamashita said in Spectrum News Hawaii. "Ensuring the recovery of our communities continues to come at an extraordinary cost to the state budget, and the full cost of implementing the legalization of adult-use cannabis is unknown."

Democratic House Speaker Scott Saiki said testimony from law enforcement was also a factor in the legalization measure, which the Senate approved in March: "In hearing the overwhelming testimony and serious concerns from members of Hawaii's law enforcement industry, this bill requires further consideration of the impact legislation will have on our children, economy and overall well-being." 

Hawaii’s attempts to legalize adult-use cannabis will surely be discussed at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Florida on April 16 and 17.

Pre-Rolls Become Available At Dispensaries

Meanwhile, Hawaii's medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed to sell pre-rolled cannabis flower products beginning on Friday, April 5, Gov. Josh Green announced in a Wednesday press release. The “addition of pre-rolls to the list of allowed products benefits medical cannabis patients with limited manual dexterity and for whom inhalation is the most effective route of delivery.”

The change is in line with a comment from the Governor, who said he would push to ease the state's rules for medical marijuana so doctors can prescribe it to registered cardholders.

The two-day Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference at The Diplomat Beach Resort is a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars — this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Troy Squillac via Pexels and Nicole Pineda from Pixabay