poledriver
Bluelighter
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- Jul 21, 2005
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Hawaii marijuana bill goes up in smoke
HONOLULU (AP) — A bill that would have legalized marijuana in Hawaii died in the state House on Tuesday.
House judiciary committee Chairman Karl Rhoads said he decided to kill the bill after learning from House leadership that the initiative does not have enough votes to pass the House.
Key lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House supported the measure, including the speaker and the majority leader.
Pamela Lichty, head of the Hawaii Drug Policy Action Group, says the organization is disappointed with the outcome but will continue to advocate for marijuana decriminalization through other measures.
She says that the fact that there were more than 20 marijuana-related bills introduced this year is a sign of public support for the initiative.
She says the organization plans to continue to advocate for bills related to medical marijuana, which is legal in Hawaii.
The proposal that failed Tuesday would have legalized marijuana for recreational use for people aged 21 or older. It can't be revived until future sessions.
The initiative ignited an outpouring of public testimony that reflected sharply divided public opinion.
At a public hearing on the bill, law enforcement officials told Hawaii lawmakers that marijuana is a dangerous drug.
They said the societal costs of legalizing weed aren't worth the risks of allowing marijuana culture to proliferate.
Opponents of the bill included the state attorney general, the county police departments and the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii.
cont -
http://thegardenisland.com/news/sta...cle_97b4b520-f31f-502d-ac59-ca3d1420a2b1.html
HONOLULU (AP) — A bill that would have legalized marijuana in Hawaii died in the state House on Tuesday.
House judiciary committee Chairman Karl Rhoads said he decided to kill the bill after learning from House leadership that the initiative does not have enough votes to pass the House.
Key lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House supported the measure, including the speaker and the majority leader.
Pamela Lichty, head of the Hawaii Drug Policy Action Group, says the organization is disappointed with the outcome but will continue to advocate for marijuana decriminalization through other measures.
She says that the fact that there were more than 20 marijuana-related bills introduced this year is a sign of public support for the initiative.
She says the organization plans to continue to advocate for bills related to medical marijuana, which is legal in Hawaii.
The proposal that failed Tuesday would have legalized marijuana for recreational use for people aged 21 or older. It can't be revived until future sessions.
The initiative ignited an outpouring of public testimony that reflected sharply divided public opinion.
At a public hearing on the bill, law enforcement officials told Hawaii lawmakers that marijuana is a dangerous drug.
They said the societal costs of legalizing weed aren't worth the risks of allowing marijuana culture to proliferate.
Opponents of the bill included the state attorney general, the county police departments and the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii.
cont -
http://thegardenisland.com/news/sta...cle_97b4b520-f31f-502d-ac59-ca3d1420a2b1.html
