Hawaii lawmakers advance cannabis legalization measure for 2026 ballot

Legislature moves toward voter referendum on adult-use cannabis after prior session stalled legalization bills.

FILE — statehouse · B.D. Gilfry / CC BY-SA 2.0

Hawaii lawmakers have advanced a cannabis legalization measure toward a 2026 ballot referendum, according to reporting from Forbes. The move represents a shift in legislative strategy after legalization bills stalled during the 2026 session, with lawmakers previously saying such measures were unlikely to pass that year.

The state has shown mixed regulatory momentum on cannabis. While the Senate passed bills this year allowing medical marijuana use in health facilities and seeking federal DEA exemptions for medical programs, separate disputes have emerged: a lawsuit argues Hawaii's hemp regulations will stifle competition, and police policy updates on medical marijuana and firearms have drawn scrutiny, with gun permit denials tied to medical cannabis use exceeding all other reasons combined.

A legalization referendum could reshape the market significantly. Marijuana Moment reported in late January that legalizing adult-use cannabis could drive $90 million in monthly sales. Watch whether the ballot measure gains public support and how state regulators begin preparing licensing frameworks ahead of potential voter approval.