The Maui News

Hawaii House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita declined to hold a vote this week on Senate Bill 3335, which would recreationally legalize marijuana in the state, according to a press release from Yamashita.

“The path to legalizing adult-use cannabis has been a deeply divisive issue. This year marked its furthest progression, with SB3335 narrowly passing its second reading. Due to numerous concerns regarding the implementation of the bill, the House has decided against further deliberation in the House Finance Committee. This decision is strengthened by the prevailing ‘no’ votes from committee members expressed on the House floor,” Yamashita said of not hearing the bill on the House floor.

Yashamita went on to say, “During an abnormally fiscally challenging year, the committee must prioritize addressing wildfire-related expenses after the August 8 tragedy in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui. Ensuring the recovery of our communities continues to come at an extraordinary cost to the state budget, and the full cost of implementing the legalization of adult-use cannabis is unknown. As lawmakers, it would be remiss of us not to allocate funding to safeguard critical government services, including education, infrastructure, roads, and other essential services for Hawai’i’s residents and kūpuna, especially during a period of fiscal uncertainty.”

Yashamita said the house recognizes that now is not the opportune time for its implementation, as they navigate the challenges of managing the largest wildfire recovery efforts in Hawai’i’s history.

“In hearing the overwhelming testimony and serious concerns from members of Hawai’i’s law enforcement industry, this bill requires further consideration of the impact legislation will have on our children, economy, and overall well-being,” House Speaker Scott K. Saiki said of the decision not to hold a vote on the floor over the bill.