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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 1246: RELATING TO CANNABIS.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 1246 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii House on January 22, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO CANNABIS. Primary sponsor: David Tarnas (Democratic), Terez Amato (Democratic), Della Belatti (Democratic), HOLT, Kim Coco Iwamoto (Democratic), Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), Jeanné Kapela (Democratic), Matthias Kusch (Democratic), Nicole Lowen (Democratic), Lisa Marten (Democratic), Dee Morikawa (Democratic), Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), Chris Todd (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Beginning 1/1/2026, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes taxes on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis and the sale of medical cannabis. Adds new traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Makes conforming amendments related to the legalization of personal adult use of cannabis. Beginning 1/1/2026, decriminalizes certain drug offenses related to marijuana and marijuana concentrate. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis to the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office. Establishes various positions within state entities to regulate the personal adult use of cannabis. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 12

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
David TarnasPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse8
Terez AmatoPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse11
Della BelattiPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse26
HOLTPrimary sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Kim Coco IwamotoPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse25
Kirstin KahaloaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse6
Jeanné KapelaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse5
Matthias KuschPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse1
Nicole LowenPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse7
Lisa MartenPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse51
Dee MorikawaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse17
Mahina PoepoePrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse13
Chris ToddPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse3

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. Reported from JHA/AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 247) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
  3. Recommitted to JHA/AGR with Representative(s) Amato, Belatti, Cochran, Iwamoto, Perruso, Souza voting no and Representative(s) Ward excused.
  4. The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Perruso; 4 Noes: Representative(s) Hashem, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
  5. The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Perruso; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
  6. Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA/AGR on Tuesday, 02-04-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
  7. Referred to JHA/AGR, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 4
  8. Introduced and Pass First Reading.
  9. Pending introduction.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source