This gives a whole new meaning to "Hawaiian dope"

Despite federal laws against the possession and use of marijuana, Washington state and Colorado recently "legalized" the use and possession of small amounts of pot, even opening state-sanctioned (and taxed) stores. While I think this is the proper way to treat pot ( ban it, tax it, whatever, let the states do what they see fit) that really has nothing to do with anything here. No, we need to look at how the attitudes of state governments toward pot are chagnging.

Apparently, those attitudes, at least in some states, are leaning toward  forming a drug cartel. Hawaii's state speaker of the house -- not some back-bench fuck, mind you -- thinks it would be just fucking ducky if Hawaii became a major trafficker in dope:

She promised she hasn’t inhaled, but House Majority Floor Leader Rida Cabanilla is looking to marijuana to solve some of Hawaii financial troubles.
Cabanilla said she hopes to legalize cultivation, manufacturing and exporting of marijuana and marijuana food products in Hawaii to pay off the state’s billions of dollars in unfunded liabilities as well as make infrastructure repairs and fund public education and human services programs.
“This state would turn into a manufacturing state. Can you imagine factories that would be making ‘Maui Wowie’ cookies and making marijuana macadamia nut candy for export? I think that would be wonderful,” said Cabanilla, who represents Ewa Villages, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Ocean Pointe and West Loch.

Because she's a Democrat, of course she has no vision of eliminating other taxes or reducing the state's unfunded liabilities. Instead, she envisions massive tax revenue to fund government spending that is not now possible:

Hawaii has some $25 billion in debts, encompassing the state retirement system, the public employee union health fund and outstanding bonds. The state also needs billions in repairs for roads, schools and infrastructure.
“I am not even a fan of it. But if that is what it takes for our state to be in the forefront where we can fix our roads, we can build more affordable housing, we can help the homeless — that is the route we should go,” she said.
...
While Hawaii already has among the highest overall taxes inthe nation, Cabanilla said the taxes on marijuana exports would be sky high — at least 25 percent.

Hawaii has been a one-party state since it was admitted to the union in 1959. It is no surprise that state Democrats are casting about for something else to tax the living shit out of. Not surprising that their latest target for taxation is something that isn't even legal. Always thinking ahead, I say.