Hawaii House Bill HR130

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/18/26

Caption

Requesting The United States Congress To Remove Cannabis From The Federal Controlled Substances Act, Provide Support To States That Are Clearing Defendants' Records Of Cannabis Offenses, And Facilitate Access To The Full Spectrum Of Banking Services For Cannabis-related Businesses.

Summary

H.R. 130 is a House Resolution that urges the United States Congress to change federal cannabis policy in three main ways: remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, support states that are expunging or sealing cannabis-related criminal records, and improve access to banking services for cannabis-related businesses. The resolution frames these requests in the context of Hawaii’s existing medical cannabis program, its decriminalization of small amounts of cannabis, and the continued presence of cannabis arrests and collateral consequences despite those state-level reforms. The measure does not itself change Hawaii law or create new state regulatory requirements. Instead, it is a formal legislative request to federal officials and Hawaii’s congressional delegation, and it asks that the text be entered into the Congressional Record and transmitted to federal leadership. Its practical effect is symbolic and advocacy-oriented, signaling Hawaii’s support for federal cannabis descheduling, record-clearing assistance, and banking access reforms.

Impact

Because H.R. 130 is a resolution rather than a statute, it has no direct legal effect on Hawaii’s criminal code, cannabis regulations, or banking laws. Its impact is to place the Hawaii House on record in favor of federal cannabis reform and to encourage congressional action on descheduling, expungement support, and financial services access for cannabis-related businesses. The resolution also highlights ongoing consequences of cannabis arrests and convictions for housing and employment, and it aligns Hawaii with broader state efforts to reduce the collateral effects of cannabis prohibition.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment appears strongly supportive of cannabis reform. The resolution cites widespread state legalization, Hawaii’s own medical cannabis and decriminalization laws, and the economic and public health costs associated with alcohol and tobacco to argue that cannabis should be treated differently under federal law. No opposing testimony or recorded votes are provided, but the text itself reflects a clear pro-reform stance and a desire for federal alignment with state policy changes.

Contention

The main points of contention are the federal classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance, the continued arrest and conviction consequences for cannabis possession, and the lack of access to standard banking services for cannabis businesses. Supporters of the resolution emphasize expungement, economic opportunity, and reduced enforcement harms, while the underlying federal prohibition remains the central obstacle. The resolution also implicitly contrasts cannabis with alcohol and tobacco, suggesting a policy inconsistency that may be disputed by opponents of legalization or descheduling.