Hawaiian lawmaker introduces pot-legalization bill

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Daily Caller:

The Aloha State may soon follow in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington by becoming the third state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 and older.

While the historic laws in Colorado and Washington passed despite opposition from elected leaders, Hawaii’s measure was proposed by state lawmakers themselves.

House Speaker Jospeh Souki introduced the Personal Use of Marijuana Act on Friday. If passed, it will allow adults to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow a limited number of plants for personal use. It will also create a system of licensing for retail stores and cultivation facilities. As with the laws in Colorado and Washington, public use would be prohibited.

In a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Mason Tvert, one of the architects of Colorado’s Amendment 64 and a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, lauded the bill.

“Regulating and taxing marijuana similarly to alcohol takes marijuana sales out of the hands of criminals and puts them behind the counter in legitimate businesses that will generate significant new revenue for Hawaii,” he said. “Law enforcement resources should be focused on preventing and responding to serious crimes rather than enforcing antiquated marijuana prohibition laws.”

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The end of prohibition?