STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2008

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1383

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1383, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARIJUANA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address penalties relating to marijuana.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Reclassifies possession of three grams or less of marijuana as a violation, a penal offense not punishable by incarceration, and imposes a fine of $30 for that offense;

(2) Requires courts, upon motion by a person convicted of promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree, to expunge the conviction if the conviction was for the possession of three grams or less of marijuana; and

(3) Establishes the marijuana evaluation task force to examine laws of other states and related penalties and outcomes relating to the non-medical use of marijuana, and requires the task force to report its findings to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Advocates For Consumer Rights, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Maui Police Department, Hawaii Police Department, Hawaii Family Forum, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that as a number of states have removed or are considering removing incarceration as a possible penalty for the recreational use of marijuana by adults, it is appropriate for the State to consider similar reforms.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1383, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair