HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1596
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 329-43.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§329-43.5 Prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia. (a) Except as provided in [subsection] subsections (e)[,] and (f), it is unlawful for any person to use, or to possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of this chapter. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a violation subject to a fine of no more than $500.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (e), it is unlawful for any person to deliver, possess with intent to deliver, or manufacture with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, knowing or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance in violation of this chapter. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a violation subject to a fine of no more than $500.

(c) Any person [eighteen] twenty-one years of age or over who violates subsection (b) by delivering drug paraphernalia to a person or persons under eighteen years of age who are at least three years younger than that adult person is guilty of a class B felony and upon conviction may be imprisoned pursuant to section 706-660 and, if appropriate as provided in section 706‑641, fined pursuant to section 706-640.

(d) It is unlawful for any person to place in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement, knowing or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the purpose of the advertisement, in whole or in part, is to promote the sale of objects designed or intended for use as drug paraphernalia. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class C felony and upon conviction may be imprisoned pursuant to section 706-660 and, if appropriate as provided in section 706-641, fined pursuant to section 706-640.

(e) Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to a person who is authorized to:

(1) Acquire, possess, cultivate, use, distribute, or transport cannabis pursuant to the definition of "medical use" under section 329-121, while the person is facilitating the medical use of cannabis by a qualifying patient; or

(2) Dispense, manufacture, or produce cannabis or manufactured cannabis products pursuant to and in compliance with chapter 329D, while the person is facilitating the medical use of cannabis by a qualifying patient pursuant to part IX of chapter 329.

(f) This section shall not apply to the possession of drug paraphernalia to:

(1) Store, contain, or conceal; or

(2) Inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body,

marijuana."

SECTION 2. Section 712-1249, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (2) to read as follows:

"(2) Promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree is a petty misdemeanor; provided that possession of [three grams or] less than one ounce of marijuana is a violation, punishable by a fine of [$130.] $25."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Penal Code; Marijuana; Cannabis; Possession; Violation

Description:

Exempts drug paraphernalia for marijuana from certain penalties under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Makes the possession of less than 1 ounce of recreational marijuana a nonjailable violation punishable by a fine of $25.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.