A State Senator in Hawaii has joined community members in a rally against the bill that aims to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. As the lawmakers move closer to making a decision, opposition and concerns about the legislation continue to be voiced.
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Senator Kurt Fevella from District 20, which includes ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, and a portion of ‘Ewa Villages, has expressed his stance on the proposed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and above.
The bill, if approved, will be subject to a 14 percent tax. The generated revenue from this tax is anticipated to be allocated towards various key areas such as law enforcement, public health, education, and safety.
According to Representative Cedric Gates, a Democrat representing Waianae and Makaha, the bill has the potential to generate thousands of job opportunities and generate an estimated $80 million in revenue within the first few years.
Senator Fevella remains unconvinced.
According to Fevella, it is unrealistic to believe that the legalization of marijuana will lead to a significant increase in tax revenue and profits.
Fevella made the case that the state would incur higher expenses if recreational marijuana were to be legalized, and expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on Japanese tourists visiting the islands.
Lawmakers in the House had their first hearing on the bill on Wednesday, and there is a sense of optimism that this could finally be the year it passes.
Law enforcement agencies have also expressed their opposition to the bill, while Governor Green has made it clear that he supports the legalization and intends to sign the bill.
Recreational marijuana could potentially be legalized for individuals aged 21 and above by 2026 if it successfully clears the upcoming three hearings.
