Bill > SB1613

This bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework for cannabis regulation in Hawaii, with several key provisions. Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill legalizes personal adult use of cannabis for individuals 21 and older, creating a new Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to oversee all aspects of cannabis regulation. The bill establishes a 14% tax on retail cannabis sales and a 4% tax on medical cannabis sales, with revenue allocated to various state programs including social equity, public health, public safety, and hemp farming grants. The legislation creates multiple types of cannabis business licenses, including cultivator, processor, dispensary, and retail store licenses, with provisions to convert existing medical cannabis dispensary licenses. It includes robust social equity provisions designed to provide economic opportunities to disproportionately impacted communities, including grant programs and fee waivers for qualifying applicants. The bill also introduces new traffic-related offenses concerning cannabis consumption in vehicles and establishes strict regulations around cannabis packaging, labeling, advertising, and testing. It decriminalizes certain marijuana-related offenses and provides for the expungement of prior cannabis-related records. Additionally, the legislation mandates public health and education campaigns about cannabis use and its potential risks. The bill creates an advisory board on medical and adult-use cannabis, establishes comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking requirements, and transfers functions from the Department of Health's medical cannabis program to the new Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office. Notably, the full implementation of adult-use cannabis sales is delayed until January 1, 2026, allowing time for regulatory infrastructure to be developed.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1613&year=2026