As legislators consider bills ranging from establishment of medical dispensaries to outright legalization, panel members weigh in on all sides.

Hawaii law enforcement strongly opposed the legislation while others contended police priorities should lie elsewhere.

UPDATE: Fifteen years after Hawaii legalized medical cannabis, lawmakers may allow patients legal access to their prescriptions without having to grow their own.

The legislative session hits its stride as hearings are held on a myriad of issues, including medical marijuana dispensaries, public safety, a possible Health Connector bailout and aquarium fishing.

The bill would allow eligible patients to help each other out by transferring medical marijuana plants.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would authorize the growing of industrial hemp in Hawaii.

UPDATED Bill to establish Hawaii dispensaries supported by most who testify, but law enforcement continues to oppose the entire concept of medi-pot, which was legalized in 2000.

Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell is among those in D.C. who want to legalize growing the crop.

The permit from the Drug Enforcement Administration is a big step for Hawaii’s Industrial Hemp Research Project.

Podcast host Chad Blair and Civil Beat reporters Anita Hofschneider and Nathan Eagle discuss the biggest issues facing Gov. Ige and the Hawaii Legislature.