But while 11 other states, including all of the West Coast have legalized recreational marijuana, Hawaii has still been hesitant to take that step, despite our status as a strongly blue state.

“Law enforcement has been against it, conservative groups have been against it,” explains former State Senator Will Espero.

But he says the pandemic has changed the game. With record unemployment and calls to diversity our tourism-heavy economy, Espero says he believes lawmakers will be more willing to take another look next session.

Espero says if legalization were to pass, Hawaii would already have the infrastructure in place to support the industry. “We have people already growing, and who know to grow,” he says.

He says while other states may have been first, Hawaii could easily position itself as the best in the industry. “There’s no reason Hawaii couldn’t market itself as having the best product in the world,” he says.

More at https://www.kitv.com/story/42564838/pandemic-renews-calls-for-marijuana-legalization-in-hawaii