REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO REMOVE CANNABIS FROM THE FEDERAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT, PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STATES THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CLEARING CANNABIS OFFENSES FROM DEFENDANTS' RECORDS, AND FACILITATE THE FULL SPECTRUM OF BANKING SERVICES FOR CANNABIS-RELATED BUSINESSES.

This Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 68) requests the U.S. Congress to take three specific actions: remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, support states clearing cannabis-related criminal records, and enable banking services for cannabis businesses. It directly affects cannabis businesses (like dispensaries) and individuals with past cannabis convictions who face barriers due to federal classification. The resolution highlights Hawaii’s efforts to decriminalize cannabis and notes over 10,000 cannabis arrests in the state since 2011, alongside federal banking restrictions that prevent cannabis businesses from accessing standard financial services. As a symbolic request, it does not change existing law but urges federal action to align with state legalization efforts.