The Hawaii Senate has approved a bill to legalize marijuana, and two psychedelics research measures, ahead of a key legislative deadline. And the House separately passed a companion to one of those psychedelics proposals.
The Senate cannabis legalization bill, sponsored by Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D), cleared the chamber in a 22-3 vote on Tuesday. Advocates are encouraged by the development, especially after a number of amendments were adopted in committee last week that tackled certain equity concerns with the bill as introduced.
Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D), the bill’s sponsor, said on the floor that the measure “allows us to cut back on the illicit market by allowing free access for only one ounce for recreational use, and it allows for the dispensing of a safer form of marijuana for those who need to use it for [medical] reasons.”
But the proposal’s fate in the House is in question, with the speaker recently stating that he intends to see the issue workshopped over the summer so that lawmakers can develop a “comprehensive” reform proposal that addresses outstanding concerns.
Ahead of the vote, Senate President Ron Kouchi (D) said that while he’s personally not a “big fan” of the legislation,
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