Road To Legalization: Is Weed Legal In Hawaii?

Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Hawaii. However, the state does allow for the use of medical marijuana.

So, if you’re looking to get your hands on some ganja for a fun night in, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you’re a medical marijuana patient in Hawaii, you can rest assured knowing that you can legally access the herb for therapeutic purposes.

Cannabis has been used in Hawaii for centuries, dating back to the early days of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It was introduced to the islands by early Polynesian settlers and was used for a variety of purposes, including medicinal, religious, and spiritual. In fact, cannabis was so prevalent in Hawaiian culture that it was even considered one of the sacred plants of the gods.

While cannabis use has always been widespread in Hawaii, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that it began to be regulated. In 1915, the Hawaiian Legislature passed a law making it illegal to grow or sell cannabis. This law was largely motivated by fears that cannabis would be used by immigrants from Asia who were coming to work on the sugar plantations.

Since then, cannabis has remained illegal in Hawaii. However, there has been a recent push to legalize it for medicinal purposes. In 2000, the Hawaii Legislature passed a law that allowed patients with certain medical conditions to use cannabis for treatment. And in 2014, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed a bill that made it legal to grow and sell medical cannabis in the state.

So far, the legalization of medical cannabis has been a success in Hawaii. It has helped many patients find relief from their symptoms and has generated millions of dollars in tax revenue for the state. There is also growing support for legalizing recreational cannabis. A poll conducted in 2019 found that nearly 60% of Hawaiian voters support legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and over.

With public opinion shifting in favor of legalization, it seems likely that Hawaii will eventually join the growing list of states where cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use.