HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In a breakthrough for recreational marijuana use in Hawaii, Attorney General Anne Lopez has proposed a comprehensive plan designed to overcome hurdles that have blocked legalization for years.
Right now in Hawaii, the only way to buy marijuana legally is from a medical cannabis dispensary.
The attorney general’s plan would encourage the development of a retail recreational marijuana industry while still protecting the medical dispensaries.
Key lawmakers, like House Judiciary Chair David, are impressed with the effort.
“The attorney general has done a really good job pulling together all of the different input and providing a comprehensive bill,” Tarnas said.
In prior years, including in the last legislative session, the Attorney General’s office either opposed legalization or raised many doubts about public safety, threats to young people and conflicting laws.
But lawmakers challenged Lopez to embrace the issue during her confirmation.
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Lopez’ 294-page proposal includes a 10% tax surcharge on top of the 4.25% excise tax on adult use marijuana, offers currently Illegal growers a path to joining the legal industry while beefing up law enforcement and bolsters health education programs to protect young people.
State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Consumer Protection chair, called the