LIHU‘E — Legalization of the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Hawai‘i is nothing more than a pipe dream after a bill that would have made it possible failed to advance in the state Legislature.
LIHU‘E — Legalization of the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Hawai‘i is nothing more than a pipe dream after a bill that would have made it possible failed to advance in the state Legislature.
Senate Bill 3335 was stymied in the House Finance Committee. The bill, which would have gone into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, had the bill made it through the legislative process, aimed to afford adults 21 and over the right to smoke weed on a recreational basis.
The proposal would have also allowed anyone over the age of 21 to carry up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate and would have allowed the possession of up to 2 pounds of harvested home grown wee.
“The path to legalizing adult-use cannabis has been a deeply divisive issue. This year marked its furthest progression with SB 3335 narrowly passing its second reading,” said Kyle Yamashita (District 12), chairman of the House Committee on Finance, in a statement.
“Due to numerous concerns regarding the implementation of the bill, the House has decided against further deliberation in the House Finance Committee. This decision is strengthened by the prevailing ‘no’ votes from committee members expressed on the House floor.”
The decision was a blow to people who championed the bill, including Kaua‘i dispensary owner Aaron “Casey” Rothstein of Green Aloha in Kapa‘a and Koloa.
“I think it’s sad that a few representatives, who are fearful of losing reelection, have chosen to block something that the majority of the people want,” Rothstein said.
“What’s worse is that this was an opportunity to end a social injustice and be on the right side of history and its now blocked by a small group of inexperienced representatives, who care more about reelection than they do about doing the right thing.”
