Two Hawaii legislative committees on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, with lawmakers in both panels voting to advance the measure after adopting several amendments to the legislation. The measure, which was introduced in both the Hawaii Senate and House of Representatives late last month, was approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee after a joint session, according to a report from cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment.

House Rep. David Tarnas and Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, both Democrats, introduced the companion bills that are largely the product of a recreational marijuana legalization proposal offered by Attorney General Anne Lopez last year. If passed, the legislation (House Bill 2600 and Senate Bill 3335) would allow adults aged 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates. The measure, which would go into effect on January 1, 2026, would also permit the home cultivation of up to six marijuana plants and allow for the possession of up to 10 ounces of harvested homegrown cannabis.

The legislation would also create a new Hawaii Cannabis Authority, which would be tasked with regulating the marijuana industry and licensing cannabis businesses including growers, processors and retailers. The new agency would be overseen by a Cannabis Control Board consisting of five appointed members led by an executive director.