HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 081 Draft 01 2012-2014OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: Council — March 28, 2013
Action: Withdrawn by introducer (Wille)
Re: Res 81-13; Comm. 178 (2012-2014 term)
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO.
STATE OF HAWAII
81 13
A RESOLUTION URGING THE 2013 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS
LEGISLATION TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA, SUCH AS SENATE BILL
NO. 472, SDI.
WHEREAS, the states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and
Washington have decriminalized marijuana in small amounts; and
WHEREAS, most states that have decriminalized marijuana provide for civil fines,
confiscation, drug education, or drug treatment in place of incarceration or criminal charges for
possession of small amounts of marijuana or have made various marijuana offenses the lowest
priority for law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, according to a CNN report on October 18, 2010, former United States
Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders stated that she supports legalizing marijuana; and
WHEREAS, in 2012 voters in Colorado approved Amendment 64 making Colorado the
first state to legalize and regulate the production, possession, and distribution of marijuana for
persons aged 21 and older; and
WHEREAS, according to an analysis from the Colorado Center on Law & Policy,
Amendment 64 would produce $60 million in new revenue and savings for Colorado; and
WHEREAS, in 2012 voters in Washington approved Initiative Measure No. 502 to
legalize and regulate the production, possession, and distribution of marijuana for persons aged
21 and older; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 329, Part IX, Hawaii Revised Statutes, was enacted pursuant to
Act 228, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, to exempt the medical use of marijuana from criminal
sanctions; and
WHEREAS, in November 2008 Hawaii County voters approved Ordinance No. 08-181,
known as the "Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of Cannabis Ordinance"; and
WHEREAS, Section 14-99(a) of the Hawaii County Code states "The cultivation,
possession and use for adult personal use of cannabis shall be the Lowest Law Enforcement
Priority for law enforcement agencies in the county."; and
WHEREAS, currently the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana for non-
medical purposes is classified as a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and up
to a $1,000 fine; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of Senate Bill No. 472, SDI, is to:
(1) Establish possession of marijuana of one ounce or less as a civil violation that is subject
to a fine of $1,000; and
(2) Direct civil fines and penalties for violations to be deposited by the State Director of
Finance to the credit of the State general fund; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
2013 Hawaii State Legislature is hereby urged to pass legislation to decriminalize marijuana,
such as Senate Bill No. 472, SDI.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this
resolution to the Honorable Governor Neil Abercrombie, all Hawaii State Senators and
Representatives, and the Mayors of the Counties of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and the City and
County of Honolulu.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 2013.
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on
ATTEST
INTRODUCED BY:
r
COUNCILE BER, itOUNTY OF HAWAII
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES NOES ABS EX
EOFF
FORD
ILAGAN
KANUHA
KERN
ONISHI
POINDEXTER
WILLS
YOSHIMOTO
Reference:
C-178/Waived GREDC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 81 13
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