Marijuana

Gov. Josh Green discusses Hawaiʻi's economy and reports about Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke's campaign contributions; Hawaiʻi Rep. Della Au Belatti is calling on Gov. Green to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate claims that an "influential state lawmaker" accepted $35,000

Lawmakers have deferred a bill that would have set up the infrastructure to regulate a recreational marijuana program. It’s one of several pieces of marijuana legislation that have stalled this legislative session.

Certain issues seem to come before Hawaiʻi's Legislature each session. One is the legalization of marijuana, with strong views on both sides. But in Hawaiʻi, there's one perspective that sets it apart. We get more on that story from Pacific Business News Editor in Chief Janis Magin.

Starting in 2024, the program allowed for the state-initiated “expungement” of some marijuana-related offenses on Hawaiʻi Island, and this year state lawmakers expanded that to include excessive purchases of drugs with the lowest risk of dependency.

Medicaid patients with marijuana possession arrest records may face obstacles in adhering to work requirements in 2027. Many people are eligible for expungement, but the process can be difficult to navigate.

A New York Times piece this month highlighted a growing problem with cannabis gummies around the country. HPR talked to Andrew Goff of the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation about how physicians can stay ahead of emerging trends with continuing medical education.

The bill that would have allowed recreational marijuana for those at least 21 years old passed out of its first committees earlier this week. It was supposed to then go to a full floor vote in the House. Instead, representatives voted Thursday to recommit the measure back to its original committee, effectively tabling it.

A pilot project to clear non-conviction marijuana possession arrest records on Hawaiʻi Island is underway. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on the effort.

A state legislative bill to create a pilot program for a state-initiated expungement process for Hawaiʻi County passed a final reading in the House and will be transmitted to Gov. Josh Green for approval.

The state Legislature is still working on measures addressing marijuana this session — not legalization, but increasing the amount covered by decriminalization. The attention to the regulation of the substance has raised questions about clearing criminal records for marijuana convictions under old laws. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports.