Hawaii House and Senate Advance Marijuana Legalization Constitutional Amendment Through First Reading

Lawmakers in both chambers of the Hawaii Legislature have moved forward with matching proposals to let voters decide whether to legalize adult-use marijuana, with the House and Senate measures each clearing first reading this week. The House version, House Bill 1624, was introduced by a group of 14 lawmakers led by State Representative David Tarnas (D) and passed first reading in the House. Its companion measure, Senate Bill 2420, sponsored by State Senator Joy San Buenaventura (D), has also been formally introduced and advanced through first reading in the Senate, placing identical constitutional proposals on parallel tracks in both chambers.

Rather than creating a marijuana market outright, the bills would amend Article XVI of the Hawaii Constitution to authorize adults 21 and older to use and possess a personal-use amount of marijuana, while directing lawmakers to later establish a regulatory and tax framework through separate legislation. Key details such as licensing, sales rules and taxation would be left entirely to future legislative action.

If the Legislature ultimately approves the constitutional amendment, the question would be placed before voters statewide in the November 2026 general election. Approval by voters would be required before any legalization-related changes could take effect.

Under the proposal’s language, adult use and possession could become lawful on or after July 1, 2027, contingent on further legislative action. The timeline reflects the amendment’s limited scope, focusing on voter authorization rather than immediate implementation.

Hawaii lawmakers have revisited recreational marijuana legalization repeatedly in recent years, with past efforts advancing through portions of the Legislature but failing to complete the full process. By moving companion constitutional amendments through first reading in both chambers, supporters are again positioning the issue for potential consideration by voters rather than relying solely on statutory changes.