THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	575
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to marijuana.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii and twenty-seven other states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Guam and Puerto Rico have legalized the medical use of marijuana under certain conditions.  The legislature further finds that the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington have also approved the legalization of recreational marijuana use by adults under certain conditions.  However, all marijuana use remains illegal under federal law except under very limited circumstances.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study on the effects that state legalization of marijuana for recreational use have had on applicable states.

     (b)  The study required under subsection (a) shall include information on the following aspects of state legalization of marijuana for recreational use, to the extent of available data:

     (1)  Advantages and disadvantages of legalization;

     (2)  Tax revenues projected and realized as a result of legalization;

     (3)  Impacts on state judicial and correctional systems and associated costs; and

     (4)  Financial and enforcement impacts on neighboring states that have not legalized the recreational use of marijuana.

     (c)  In conducting the study, the legislative reference bureau may consult with any public or private entity that may be of assistance.  Any public entity of the State shall assist the legislative reference bureau by providing answers to questions and background information at the request of the bureau, or other assistance deemed relevant to the study.

     (e)  If the legislative reference bureau determines that it does not possess the resources or expertise necessary to conduct all aspects of the study, the legislative reference bureau may contract for outside services to assist with the study; provided that the legislative reference bureau shall not be subject to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in obtaining the outside services.

     SECTION 3.  No later than December 1, 2018, the legislative reference bureau shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the potential legalization of recreational use of marijuana in the State.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study pursuant to this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Marijuana; Legalization; Study; LRB; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to study various effects that the legalization of marijuana have had on other states.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.