HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
71
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to cannabis.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 328J, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"[Underlined: §328J- ] [Underlined: Cannabis; prohibitions.] [Underlined: Smoking of cannabis shall be prohibited in any area accessible by the public, including but not limited to:]
[Underlined: (1)] [Underlined: On any school grounds;]
[Underlined: (2)] [Underlined: At any public park, public beach, public recreation center, recreation or youth center;]
[Underlined: (3)] [Underlined: In or on any land, facility, building, or vehicle owned, controlled, or operated by the State or any county;]
[Underlined: (4)] [Underlined: In or on any federal fort or arsenal, national park or forest, any other federal enclave, or any other property owned, controlled, or operated by the federal government; or]
[Underlined: (5)] [Underlined: Any other place where smoking is prohibited by this chapter.]"
SECTION 2. Section 328J-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read:
"[Underlined: "Cannabis" shall have the same meaning as in section 329-121.]"
2. By amending the definition of "smoke" or "smoking" to read:
""Smoke" or "smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated tobacco product[Underlined: , cannabis,] or plant product intended for inhalation in any manner or in any form. "Smoking" includes the use of an electronic smoking device."
SECTION 3. Section 329-122, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
"(e) The authorization for the medical use of cannabis in this section shall not apply to:
(1) The medical use of cannabis that endangers the health or well-being of another person;
(2) The medical use of cannabis:
(A) In a school bus, public bus, or any moving vehicle;
(B) In the workplace of one's employment;
(C) On any school grounds;
(D) At any public park, public beach, public recreation center, recreation or youth center; or
(E) At any other place open to the public; provided that a qualifying patient, primary caregiver, qualifying out-of-state patient, caregiver of a qualifying out-of-state patient, or an owner or employee of a medical cannabis dispensary licensed under chapter 329D shall not be prohibited from transporting cannabis or any manufactured cannabis product, as that term is defined in section 329D-1, in any public place; provided further that the cannabis or manufactured cannabis product shall be transported in a sealed container, not be visible to the public, and shall not be removed from its sealed container or consumed or used in any way while it is in the public place; [[Struck through: and]]
(3) The use of cannabis by a qualifying patient, parent, primary caregiver, qualifying out-of-state patient, or caregiver of a qualifying out-of-state patient, for purposes other than medical use permitted by this part[[Struck through: .]][Underlined: ; and]
[Underlined: (4)] [Underlined: Smoking cannabis in public, including through the use of an electronic smoking device, as prohibited by section 328J- .]"
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
Cannabis; Cannabis for Medical Use; Smoking; Prohibitions; Public Places
Description:
Prohibits the smoking of cannabis and the smoking of cannabis for medical use, including via an electronic smoking device, in any area accessible by the public.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.