Hawaii Becomes 26th State To Decriminalize Marijuana
Gov. Ige missed the veto deadline so the change in law takes effect January
Hawaii has become the 26th state in the nation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana — but its governor cautioned it does not mean the state is ready to say aloha to legalizing recreational use of cannabis.
While Hawaii Gov. David Ige declined to sign the decriminalization legislation, the change in law will take effect in January because he took no action by Tuesday’s veto deadline.
Under the new law, people caught with small amounts of marijuana will no longer face a misdemeanor charge that had been punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Now people caught with 3 ounces or less of weed can still be hit with a citation carrying a $130 fine, but no jail term.
Ige did not put the bill on his notice of legislation he was considering for veto, but said during a news conference last month that there are things about the bill “I don’t like.”
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