Legalized adult recreational marijuana bill passes Senate

A bill that would legalize adult recreational use of cannabis in Hawaii passed its final state Senate floor vote Tuesday.

The vote on Senate Bill 669, introduced by Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, a Puna Democrat, was 22-3, with fellow Big Island Democrat Lorraine Inouye one of the three voting nay.

The measure now will cross over to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

It would allow adults 21 and over to possess an ounce or less of cannabis for personal recreational use, and would license and regulate retail marijuana facilities.

Amendments to the original measure would:

• establish civil penalties for unlicensed cannabis grow and distribution activities;

• protect employers that seek to prohibit marijuana use among their employees; and

• prohibit advertising of cannabis within 1,000 feet of any youth-centered area.