Hawaii Senate Okays Marijuana Decriminalization

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #774)
Drug War Issues

The Hawaii Senate Tuesday voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The measure now goes to the House.

[image:1 align:right caption:true]The bill, Senate Bill 472, would make possession of up to an ounce a civil infraction with a maximum $1,000 fine. The bill originally called for a maximum $100 fine, but was amended by lawmakers who said they wanted to emphasize that marijuana would still be illegal.

Bill supporters said it was aimed at reducing congestion in the state's criminal justice system.

Earlier this session, the House defeated a marijuana legalization bill. Whether it will embrace decriminalization remains to be seen.

The bill is being supported by a newly formed group, Fresh Approach Hawaii, which aims at lobbying the legislature on marijuana reform issues. The group said it will work with House members to reduce the fine and add other desirable provisions.

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Comments

Garm (not verified)

Nice try Hawaii you should have just copied Kentucky if you wanted to lower court congestion, but still want to show Cannabis as illegal.

Less than 8 oz > Misdemeanor > 250$ Max fine

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 9:42pm Permalink
saynotohypocrisy (not verified)

for a first drunk driving conviction. As crazy as it sounds, Hawaii's rulers, like many other degenerate states and countries, still believe using marijuana is as dangerous to the community as drunk driving. History is going to show no mercy to such reckless idiots and bigots. A second drunk driving conviction? $1500. The scumbag rulers of Hawaii, now in defiance of public opinion about marijuana as well as common decency, think a second drunk driving conviction is only a little bit more dangerous to the community than using marijuana. What pitiful excuses for human beings they are. It is only with difficulty that I refrain from wishing that a drunk driver teaches one of them the facts of life.

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:58pm Permalink

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