Bill > HB891

This bill decriminalizes certain marijuana-related offenses in Hawaii by modifying existing statutes to reduce penalties and create exceptions for drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession. Specifically, the bill allows possession of drug paraphernalia for storing or using marijuana without criminal penalty, reduces the criminal classification for marijuana concentrate possession from a misdemeanor to a petty misdemeanor or violation depending on the quantity, and changes marijuana possession penalties to civil violations with nominal fines ($25) that can be replaced by community service. The bill also makes it a violation (rather than a criminal offense) to smoke marijuana in a public place, with a maximum fine of $130 or up to ten hours of community service. Notably, the legislation maintains different rules for personal marijuana cultivation, allowing up to ten ounces of marijuana in a private residence, with a total household limit of two pounds. These changes represent a significant shift towards treating minor marijuana offenses as civil infractions rather than criminal violations, potentially reducing the legal burden on individuals and the court system for low-level marijuana-related activities.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=891&year=2026