A Big Island lawmaker says Hawaii should legalize recreational marijuana even if the Trump administration clamps down on sales in states that already took that step.
But Sen. Russell Ruderman, who plans to introduce a legalization bill, said attempts by the federal government to more aggressively enforce marijuana laws could make it a harder sell here.
“I believe that this will cause many legislators to be less inclined to take this action this year,” said Ruderman, D-Puna, Ka‘u. “I don’t think we should be intimidated.”
Six states allow sales of recreational marijuana, while Washington, D.C., Massachusetts and Maine allow possession. Vermont’s Legislature passed a bill Thursday allowing recreational use.
Hawaii is one of 21 states that allow marijuana use for medical purposes. The Legislature passed a bill authorizing licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in 2015.
Ruderman said he thinks it’s inevitable other states will go for full legalization. Efforts to do the same in Hawaii have gained little traction in the Legislature.
“This is a generational thing,” he said. “It’s not about me and the hippies.”
Richard Ha, who heads Lau Ola, one of two companies that plan to open medical marijuana dispensaries on the Big Island, said he is looking to be operational this summer.
He said the administration’s move Thursday to rescind an Obama-era policy discouraging federal prosecution in states that legalized the drug creates more uncertainty, but he doesn’t expect it to impact states that only allow for medical use.
“I’m thinking they are probably looking at that area more,” Ha said, regarding recreational use.
“But nevertheless, it’s worrisome to everybody,” he said.
He said it won’t impact his company’s plans.
“We are so focused on the medical aspect that we made the commitment, the investors are committed,” Ha said. “We can’t back out.”
He said the state is taking the right approach by being “slow and deliberate” with further loosening of marijuana laws.
U.S. Reps. Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard, both Democrats, denounced the administration’s decision.
“Our laws should accurately reflect scientific consensus — not misplaced stigma and outdated myths about marijuana,” Gabbard said.
Hanabusa said the state Legislature should explore how to “regulate and ensure public safety” if Hawaii seeks to legalize recreational use.
“What we cannot do is throw uncertainty into a growing market space and leave thousands of legal users and patients in limbo,” she said.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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