KAUNAKAKAI, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Maui County Council announced on Tuesday, Feb. 9, it is urging the Hawaii State Legislature to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis for responsible adult-use due to the economic and social benefits that the process would bring.
Council vice-chair Keani Rawlins-Fernandez announced Resolution 21-19 was adopted by a 9-0 vote on Friday, Feb. 5, citing states like Colorado have accumulated billions of dollars in tax revenue and seen an increase in job growth from legalization. Rawlins-Fernandez said, the guidance in Resolution 21-19 extends beyond taxes and jobs.
“While governments at all levels are facing revenue shortfalls because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the time is ideal for Hawaii to approve responsible, adult-use cannabis. The state and the counties would be able to redirect money from the criminal-justice system to economic and social equity.”
Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Council Vice-Chair
Included in Resolution 21-19 is guidance on expunging all cannabis convictions and granting clemency or resentencing to anyone incarcerated on a cannabis conviction.
Rawlins-Fernandez is advising residents to contact their legislators and urge them to schedule cannabis-legalization bills for hearings and to testify in support of the bills if they are heard.
Resolution 21-19 uses research from Marijuana Policy Project, the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Contact the council staff at media@mouicounty.us or (808)-270-7838 for more information.
