Pubdate: Tue, 19 Dec 2000
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2000 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  P.O. Box 3110 Honolulu, HI 96802
Fax: (808) 525-8037
Website: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Author: Scott Ishikawa, Advertiser Capitol Bureau

LEGAL USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA BEGINS DEC. 28

Medical marijuana can be legally used beginning Dec. 28, state officials 
announced today.

Gov. Ben Cayetano approved administrative rules regarding the use of 
medical marijuana yesterday.

Patients who want to use marijuana to treat or alleviate pain must get an 
annual written certificate approved by their physician in order to legally 
use the drug.

State Public Safety director Ted Sakai said the department will make 
application forms for patient certificates available to physicians 
beginning today.

Cayetano signed the medical marijuana law in June. The state held a 
November public hearing to come up with rules dealing with the medical use 
of marijuana.

The provisions include a:

Yearly $25 fee by patients for the written certificate issued by the 
physician, who must be licensed to practice in Hawai'i and authorized to 
handle controlled substances.

Requirement that the marijuana user or a caregiver be allowed to raise only 
seven marijuana plants for medical use. The law will not allow people to 
raise marijuana in abundance to operate as a distribution business for 
medical patients.

Requirement that physicians notify the state if they determine that a 
patient's condition no longer warrants the medical use of marijuana.

Sakai said the rules do not require physicians to ensure the patient does 
not exceed the amount of marijuana allowed by law. "It is the patient's 
responsibility, not the physician's, to comply with this provision of the 
law," Sakai said.

Physicians who are interested in obtaining these forms, or who have 
questions regarding the certification process, can call the state Narcotics 
Enforcement Division at 594-0150.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth