Washington, DC: Legislation legalizing the possession of marijuana by those age 21 and older continues to advance in three states.
Lawmakers in Hawaii advanced Senate Bill 669 on Tuesday by a vote of 22 to 3. The bill legalizes marijuana use, production, and retail sales for adults. It now awaits action in the House, where it faces an uncertain future. Specifically, House Speaker Scott Saiki has expressed reluctance to move the bill this year, instead calling for the issue to be further assessed in a summer study session.
In Delaware, House members voted 28 to 13 in support of HB 1, which removes criminal and civil penalties for adults who possess personal use quantities of cannabis. Complimentary legislation (HB 2) providing regulations for the adult-use cannabis retail market is pending in the chamber. Last year legislation similar to SB 1 was passed by lawmakers, but vetoed by Democratic Gov. John Carney, who opined, “I do not believe that promoting or expanding the use of recreational marijuana is in the best interests of the state of Delaware, especially our young people.”
Finally, in Minnesota, a pair of bills (HF 100 | SB 73) legalizing the adult-use cannabis market have passed multiple committees and are anticipated to receive floor votes in the coming weeks. The bills have the support of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who publicly predicted that the state would pass legalization by May.
For information on additional legislation, visit NORML’s Take Action Center.
Source: NORML – make a donation