Hawaii lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow voters to decide whether to legalize marijuana through a statewide ballot measure, following multiple unsuccessful attempts to enact legalization through the legislative process.

The proposal would place the question of marijuana legalization before voters via a constitutional amendment. Under Hawaii law, such an amendment would require approval by a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate before appearing on the ballot.

The measure is being advanced amid continued legislative deadlock on marijuana policy. Although public polling in recent years has shown support for legalization and the governor has indicated openness to the policy, comprehensive legalization bills have repeatedly failed to pass both chambers of the legislature.

Josh Green has supported marijuana legalization, but lawmakers have not reached consensus on a legislative framework. House leadership has previously acknowledged public backing for legalization while noting opposition among some members, particularly within the House of Representatives.

Recent legislative sessions have included several marijuana-related proposals that did not advance. In February, the Hawaii Senate narrowly rejected a bill that would have expanded the state’s marijuana decriminalization threshold from 3 grams to 15 grams. The proposal would have classified possession up to that amount as a civil violation subject to a $130 fine.

Another Senate bill that sought to legalize marijuana for adult use stalled after failing to meet a committee deadline. While the measure progressed in the Senate, it was not taken up by the House. Similar outcomes occurred in prior sessions, including in 2024, when a Senate-passed legalization bill did not advance in the House despite committee approvals and extensive public testimony.

While full legalization has not been enacted, lawmakers have approved a series of narrower cannabis-related reforms. In 2025, legislation was signed allowing medical marijuana caregivers to cultivate cannabis on behalf of up to five patients, increasing the previous limit.

Additional legislation established new regulatory requirements for hemp-derived products, including mandatory registration for distributors and retailers through the Department of Health.

Lawmakers have also passed measures aimed at expediting the expungement of marijuana-related criminal records. A bill enacted in April streamlined an existing pilot program by removing distinctions between marijuana and other low-schedule substances, reducing administrative burdens on state agencies.

Separately, Hawaii finalized updated regulations allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell a wider range of products, including dry herb vaporizers, rolling papers, and grinders, and clarified that cannabis oils and concentrates may be marketed for inhalation.

State health officials have also expressed support for federal marijuana rescheduling, a process initiated by President Donald Trump that remains pending.