How Legalizing Cannabis Might Impact Hawaii’s Tourism Industry

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:40 PM ET, Tue April 18, 2023

The Hawaiian government is working on legislation that would eventually legalize adult-use recreational marijuana, but how that would impact the state’s tourism industry remains a question.

Last week, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said during a congress committee hearing that her office would not only stop opposing marijuana legalization, but also help “lawmakers and stakeholders to proactively help advance the reform.”

“We’re going to use the summer and our experience thus far—as well as the experience of other states—to make sure that we can create a structure that will allow the state to have legal recreational marijuana with as few problems as the other states on the mainland have experienced,” Lopez said.

While the Hawaiian Senate passed an adult-use cannabis legalization bill last month, it stalled in the House of Representatives for the year, forcing the attorney general and lawmakers to turn their attention to 2024.

A recent study from MMGY Travel Intelligence found that Hawaii was the top destination for the cannabis-motivated travel audience in the U.S., marking a target demographic yet to be fully appreciated.

“I think it will give Hawaii a much-needed long-term boost, but I think the question is will this affect the family and honeymoon experience that they are known for?” Travel Hub 365 CEO Stephen Scott said.

“Will that type of travel drop because families may say that they don't want the kids smelling that type of smoke while walking down the street or beach?” Scott continued.

With the support of Governor Josh Green—who said earlier this year he would sign a bill to legalize marijuana for adults—the state is looking to generate ideas to reduce potential issues and maximize tax revenue from sales.

“The Hawaiian Islands have an incredible opportunity when it comes to the rising trend of cannabis travel,” cannabis travel consultant Brian Applegarth said. “They are incredibly rich in local cannabis craft and culture, and continue to produce some of the finest products in the world today.

“Like Hawaiian pineapples, Kona Gold and Maui Wowie are already globally known, and will continue to emerge as signature Hawaiian moments to experience while visiting this beautiful place of source destination for cannabis,” Applegarth continued.

With more and more support for the legalization of recreational marijuana and the potential impact on the tourism industry through a rise in tax-generated state revenue, the state would be wise to follow the lead of many states in the continental U.S.

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