Hawaii Lawmaker Proposes Cannabis Legalization Vote for November Ballot

14 January 2026

A new proposal at the Hawaii State Capitol could shift the long-running debate over cannabis legalization from lawmakers to voters. State Rep. David Tarnas, who represents parts of Hawaii Island and chairs the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, plans to introduce legislation that would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana for adults.

The measure would not take effect automatically. First, it would need approval from two-thirds of the 76-member Legislature, a high bar in a body where legalization has repeatedly stalled. If lawmakers clear that step, the question would appear on the November ballot, where it would need majority support from all ballots cast. Under state election law, blank ballots count as “no” votes on constitutional amendments.

Tarnas has said his goal is to address public safety, consumer protection, and education around responsible adult use. In recent months, he has reviewed how other states have handled legalization, particularly on the mainland. Similar efforts in Hawaii have fallen short. During the 2024 session, the Senate rejected a bill that would have decriminalized marijuana, and in 2025, a broader legalization bill advanced through committees but never reached a full House vote.

Opposition remains firm among some officials. The Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office have raised concerns about youth exposure, impaired driving, and the potency of modern cannabis products. Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm has argued that today’s high-THC marijuana presents different risks than in past decades, especially in a state that markets itself as family-friendly and tourism-driven.

Supporters counter that regulation could reduce harms linked to the illicit market, including contaminated products, while generating revenue for public services. Advocates with the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii point to states like New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, which have collected significant tax revenue since legalizing recreational cannabis.

Public opinion, at least anecdotally, appears mixed but engaged. Interviews conducted in Waikiki showed support among some residents and visitors, who cited comparisons to alcohol policy, tourism impacts, and potential opportunities for local farmers. Others expressed concerns about addiction and commercialization.

The proposal emerges amid a broader cannabis policy backdrop. Hawaii allows marijuana only for medical use, and Gov. Josh Green vetoed a bill in June that would have expanded telehealth access for medical cannabis certifications. That decision underscored how incremental changes, even within the medical system, remain contentious.

Whether Tarnas’s bill advances may depend on whether lawmakers see a voter referendum as a way to resolve a debate they have struggled to settle themselves. If approved, the question would not only test public sentiment but also shape the future of cannabis policy in Hawaii for years to come.