Hawaii’s State Capitol.

In an applaud-worthy and eye-opening showing of unity, Hawaii’s Senate voted today, unanimously, to approve Senate Bill 472 to decriminalize cannabis possession. The measure would make possession of up to an ounce no longer an arrestable misdemeanor offense, but instead a civil infraction of no more than $1,000.

Last week the state’s Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure, also unanimously. The bill is sponsored by 13 of the state’s 25 senators.

The bill now moves to the state’s House, where its passage would send it to the governor’s office.

Recent polling shows that 58% of residents in the state support decriminalizing cannabis, while 57% support regulating and taxing it.

– TheJointBlog