Marijuana

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.

The committee’s chair, Rep. Kyle Yamashita decided on Tuesday that he would not allow the bill to be heard in his committee by Friday’s key legislative deadline.

Efforts to legalize recreational marijuana are continuing to advance and hemp farmers are starting to feel the impacts as the bill would move both products under one regulating authority.

There is a push this legislative session to improve the criminal record expungement process. HPR's Ashley Mizuo explains the details of two proposals facing lawmakers.

Thursday is a major crossover deadline at the state Legislature to clarify which measures are moving ahead with a chance at becoming law. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on the status of several prominent bills so far this session.

Lawmakers are once again taking up marijuana legalization — this time with a stronger focus on trying to balance law enforcement and social equity. The over 300-page bill creates a structure for recreational marijuana legalization by 2026 for people over the age of 21. HPR's Ashley Mizuo has the details.

A measure that passed its second reading in the House of Representatives would decrease the fine to $25 and increase the amount of decriminalized marijuana to less than one ounce.