Maui Council Adopts Resolution Urging Legislature to Legalize, Regulate and Tax Cannabis

The Maui County Council voted unanimously on Friday to adopt a resolution urging the legislature to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis for responsible adult use.

Council Vice-Chair Keani N.W. Rawlins-Fernandez  introduced the resolution, citing the experiences of Colorado and other states that she says has realized billions of dollars in tax revenue and increased job growth.

With government facing revenue shortfalls because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rawlins-Fernandez said the time is ideal for Hawaiʻi to approve responsible, adult-use of cannabis.

Several cannabis-legalization bills have been introduced for the 2021 state legislative session, but none have been scheduled for committee hearings. 

Hawaiʻi would join 15 other states, the District of Columbia and Guam in legalizing, regulating and taxing cannabis for responsible adult-use if the legislature follows the Maui County Council’s guidance in Resolution 21-19, adopted by a 9-0 vote Friday.