Dave Ige News Today

Though the effort to legalize marijuana in Hawaii fell short this year, lawmakers are moving forward on other cannabis-related legislation, including plans to expand the state’s limited decriminalization law and establish a task force on expungement. This week House lawmakers gave initial approval to both the decriminalization bill, SB 2487, as well as a separate […]

As a bill to legalize marijuana in Hawaii hangs in the balance in the state legislature, a House committee has amended and advanced separate legislation on Thursday that would expand the state’s current decriminalization of cannabis by increasing amounts of the substance for which people would not face the threat of jail time and reducing […]

A marijuana legalization measure unveiled in draft form last year by Hawaii’s attorney general has now been formally introduced in the legislature, with companion bills filed in both House and Senate. Advocates, however, say the latest version needs major changes to shift the plan’s focus away from law enforcement and allow for the clearing of […]

A Hawaii psychedelics task force that was recently established under the governor’s office has held its first meeting as experts work to prepare the state to potentially allow regulated access to novel therapies like psilocybin and MDMA. The Office of Wellness and Resilience said that the Breakthrough Therapies Task Force—comprised of lawmakers, health professionals, law […]

The Hawaii legislature has approved a resolution calling on the governor to create a clemency program for people with prior marijuana convictions on their records. The concurrent resolution from Rep. Jeanné Kapela (D) first passed the House earlier this month, sending it to the Senate where members adopted the measure on Monday. It states that […]

The attorney general of Hawaii says that her office will no longer oppose marijuana legalization—and, in fact, it will work with lawmakers and stakeholders to proactively help advance the reform. Attorney General Anne Lopez (D), who was appointed by the governor in December but still needs to be confirmed for a full term by the […]

The Hawaii Senate has approved a bill to create an advisory council to look into possible regulations to provide access to federal “breakthrough therapies” like psilocybin and MDMA. The legislation from Rep. Adrian Tam (D), which previously moved through the House and has since been amended by Senate committees, passed the full chamber without discussion […]

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) says that it would be prudent for the state to legalize certain psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA to prepare for a likely federal policy change allowing their use for medical treatment. At a hearing before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week, DOH testified on a pair […]

A Hawaii Senate committee approved a House-passed bill on Wednesday that would create an advisory council to look into possible regulations to provide access to federal “breakthrough therapies” like psilocybin and MDMA. The psychedelics legislation from Rep. Adrian Tam (D) advanced, with amendments, in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in a 5-0 vote. […]