Bill > HB71

This bill prohibits smoking cannabis, including through electronic smoking devices, in any public area, with specific emphasis on locations such as school grounds, public parks, beaches, recreation centers, state or county owned facilities, federal properties, and other places where smoking is already prohibited. The bill amends existing Hawaii law to expand the definition of "smoking" to explicitly include cannabis and modifies medical cannabis regulations to clarify that medical cannabis patients cannot smoke in public spaces. The legislation also specifies that while medical cannabis patients can transport cannabis in public, it must be in a sealed, non-visible container and cannot be consumed while in a public place. By adding cannabis to existing smoking restrictions, the bill aims to limit public cannabis use and protect public spaces from secondhand smoke. The new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving businesses and individuals time to adjust to the updated restrictions.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=71&year=2026