Up in smoke: idea for medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii burns out amid legal concerns

Hawaii kills medical marijuana dispensary measure

HONOLULU — A proposal to create medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii has gone up in smoke.

The idea is dead because the House Judiciary Committee refused to consider the measure before a legislative deadline Thursday.

Committee Chairman Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu says he was worried that marijuana dispensaries would fuel illegal sales of the drug. He’s also concerned about the state running up against federal drug laws.

Medical marijuana patients argue that Hawaii needs to reform its decade-old law allowing them to smoke and even grow the drug, but prohibiting them from buying it.

The bill passed the Senate and two House committees before stalling.

Medical marijuana dispensaries will likely be considered again during next year’s legislative session.