HB519 • 2026

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII RELATING TO RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

Healthcare

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: WARD, IWAMOTO
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the legislature will regulate, tax, distribute, or control recreational cannabis.

Amending Hawaii's Constitution to Allow Recreational Cannabis

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow adults aged 21 and older to possess and use recreational cannabis in Hawaii, with the legislature having the authority to regulate it.

What This Bill Does

Proposes an amendment to Hawaii's Constitution to legalize the possession and use of recreational cannabis by people who are at least 21 years old.
Gives the state legislature the power to make laws about regulating, taxing, distributing, and using recreational cannabis.

Who It Names or Affects

Adults who are at least 21 years old in Hawaii
The state legislature of Hawaii

Terms To Know

Constitutional Amendment: A change to a country's or state’s constitution.
Recreational Cannabis: Marijuana used for enjoyment, not medical reasons.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill needs voter approval before it can become part of the Constitution.
It does not specify how recreational cannabis will be regulated or taxed by law.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to JHA, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII RELATING TO RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.
Constitutional Amendment; Recreational Cannabis; Legalization (ConAm)
Proposes a constitutional amendment that would legalize the possession and use of recreational cannabis by adults who are at least 21 years of age, as provided by law.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB519

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

519

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

proposing
an amendment to article ix of the constitution of the state of hawaii relating
to recreational cannabis
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that twenty‑four
states have legalized the possession and recreational use of cannabis.
�
Fifteen of those states have passed
recreational cannabis as a ballot initiative.
�

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In 2024
Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota posed the question of legalizing
recreational marijuana to voters, with each initiative failing, making 2024 the
only year since 2017 where no states have legalized recreational use.

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The
legislature further finds that the legalization of recreational cannabis is a
contentious issue that the people of Hawaii should have the opportunity to
democratically decide.
�

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to provide for an amendment to the Constitution of
the State of Hawaii to legalize the possession and use of recreational
cannabis.

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SECTION
2.
�
Article IX of the Constitution of the
State of Hawaii is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

"
RECREATIONAL
CANNABIS

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Section
��
.
�
An individual in the State who is at least
twenty-one years of age may possess and use cannabis; provided that the
legislature shall have the power to regulate, by appropriate legislation, the
possession, distribution, use, and taxation of cannabis within the State.
"

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SECTION
3.
�
The question to be printed on the
ballot shall be as follows:

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"Shall
the State Constitution be amended to allow individuals who are at least
twenty-one years of age to possess and use cannabis and to authorize the Hawaii
State Legislature to enact legislation to regulate the possession,
distribution, use, and taxation of cannabis?"

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SECTION
4.
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New constitutional material is
underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This amendment shall take effect upon
compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of
Hawaii.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Constitutional
Amendment; Recreational Cannabis; Legalization

Description:

Proposes
a constitutional amendment that would legalize the possession and use of
recreational cannabis by adults who are at least 21 years of age, as provided
by law.

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