FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nikos Leverenz, Board President

916-752-9844

STATEWIDE SURVEY ON ADULT-USE CANNABIS GARNERS OVER 130 RESPONSES

98 CANDIDATES AGREE TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS; SUPPORT ESPECIALLY STRONG IN

HAWAI’I AND MAUI COUNTIES

Honolulu, Hawai’i​ (August 6, 2018) -- 98 candidates on Hawaii’s August 11 primary ballot

registered their support for the legalization of adult use cannabis in a recent statewide online
survey conducted by Drug Policy Forum of Hawai’i (DPFH). Total respondents were 133.

“The level of response and broad support among candidates across the Aloha State greatly
exceeded our expectations,” said DPFH Board President Nikos Leverenz. “The primary
takeaway from this result: Hawai’i is ready for bold, progressive political leadership. This is the
only state with a Pacific coastline without adult-use cannabis, including Republican-dominated
Alaska. Policymakers should take proactive measures to join those states that have ended
cannabis prohibition, enacted sensible, enforceable regulations, and vacated prior conviction
and arrest records.”

Notably, every registered candidate for District 2 of the U.S. House of Representatives,
including incumbent Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Brian Evans, are in support. Gabbard is a
co-sponsor of the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act. In District 1, three of the top four
Democratic candidates (Doug Chin, Kaniela Ing, and Donna Mercado Kim) voiced their support.

In the state Senate, 14 candidates registered their support, including three Democratic
incumbents facing primary challenges: Roz Baker (District 6), Brickwood Galuteria (District 12),
and Maile Shimabukuro (District 21). Uncontested incumbent Clarence Nishihara (District 17)
registered his support. In District 24, there is a clear contrast between two Democrats seeking to
move to the upper chamber: Jarrett Keohokalole (support) and Ken Ito (oppose).
In the state House, 29 candidates registered their support, including Big Island Democratic
incumbents Joy San Buenaventura (District 4), Richard Creagan (District 5), and Nicole Lowen
(District 6), and O’ahu Republican incumbent Cynthia Thielen (District 50). Contested
Democratic primaries in Districts 8, 11, 36, and 48 saw multiple candidates in support.
Democratic challengers who registered their support include James Logue (District 29), Sonny
Ganaden (District 30), and Jake Schafer (District 42). In District 21, incumbent Democrat Calvin
Say (oppose) is at odds with Republican challenger Julia Allen (support).

Responses were particularly robust at the county level. In Hawai’i County Council races, 9
respondents, including 3 incumbents, are in support. In Maui, 5 mayoral candidates are in
support. In Kaua’i, 3 of 5 mayoral candidates are in support and county council candidates are
in support by a 6-5 margin. In Honolulu, 5 candidates for city council voiced their support,
including every candidate challenging District IV incumbent Carol Fukunaga.

Candidates for trustee positions with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported legalization by an
8-3 margin. Those in support include statewide candidates Lei Ahu Isa, Rowena Akana, Alvin
Akina, Brendon Lee, Keali’i Makekau, and John Waihee IV.

“Even with Hawaii’s medical cannabis statute in purported operation, state law shortsightedly
criminalizes a substance that is safer than alcohol. Ongoing criminalization misallocates law
enforcement and correctional resources. It also deprives state government of millions of dollars
of potential annual tax revenue. Hawai’i should kickstart its own reform process, regardless of
continued federal pirouetting. Hawai’i can’t count on Donald Trump,” Leverenz added.

Nine states, including Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, have legalized
adult-use cannabis​. Earlier this month, the New York Department of Health ​issued a report​ to
Governor Andrew Cuomo ​recommending the legalization of adult-use cannabis​. Cannabis
possession of less than one ounce is classified as a misdemeanor under Hawai’i law. The ​most
recent crime report issued by the state Attorney General​ disclosed that 7,863 Hawai’i adults
were arrested for cannabis possession over the past ten years.

Even in the absence of incarceration, misdemeanor convictions provide entry into the criminal
justice system and can have dramatic long-term consequences for individuals and families. The
Council of State Governments Justice Center​ provides a ​list of over 100 “collateral
consequences” of a misdemeanor conviction in Hawaii​.

Drug Policy Forum of Hawai’i is the state’s leading non-profit voice for sensible, compassionate,
and effective drug policies. Since 1993, it has sought to inform the public and policymakers of
the failures of the current “war on drugs” and the benefits of evidence-based approaches,
including harm reduction and medically-supervised treatment, that are animated by the values
of justice, compassion, health, and human rights.

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