Less than 48 hours after Hawaii lawmakers appeared poised to legalize recreational cannabis, the state’s House of Representatives unexpectedly slammed the brakes, shelving the measure until at least 2026.
The sudden procedural move on Thursday, led by Representative Chris Todd, stunned advocates and lawmakers alike, reigniting frustration over the state’s stalled cannabis reform efforts.
Last week, Business of Cannabis reported that House Bill 1246 (HB 1246), championed by Representative David Tarnas, cleared two key committees: the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, chaired by Tarnas, and the House Agriculture and Food Systems Committee.
The bill proposed legalizing personal cannabis use for adults 21 and over starting in 2026 while also establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
It would also have seen the creation of a new state agency, the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office, to oversee both medical and recreational cannabis, as well as hemp products. It would also impose a tax on cannabis sales, as seen throughout the US.
Despite gaining momentum earlier in the week, clearing two key committees with a 6-4 and 5-0 vote, respectively, Todd introduced a rare motion to recommit the bill to committee, effectively tabling it for the year. The motion passed via voice vote without public debate.
“On this particular bill, it became clear that we did not have enough support to pass the measure in this session,” Todd told Civil Beat following the vote. He maintained that lawmakers would revisit the issue next year but acknowledged that consensus remained elusive.
The bill remains alive for the 2026 legislative session without needing to be reintroduced, and a separate Senate proposal, SB 1613, is still under consideration.
