Ige does his part to lure Obama library

It’s good to hear that Gov. David Ige took the opportunity, while at the National Governors Association conference in Washington, to lobby for his home state as the location of Barack Obama’s future presidential library.

However, it still seems like a long shot. It was widely reported that Obama’s foundation commissioned polling to determine support of the University of Chicago location. No such surveys are in evidence here.

And remember: Ige was the one who unseated Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who was buddies with the president’s parents back in the day. In case that matters.

World won’t end if pot decriminalized

According to the national group NORML, 18 states have decriminalized marijuana, at a minimum.

Typically, according to its website, that means "no prison time or criminal record for first-time possession of a small amount for personal consumption" — essentially treating offenses like a minor traffic violation.

A legislative bill that would make Hawaii the 19th such state has advanced. Passing it would make sense. Even some of those who look askance at marijuana legalization don’t want to see small-time users criminalized and public money spent on prosecuting them.