Pubdate: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 Source: West Hawaii Today (HI) Copyright: 2008 West Hawaii Today Contact: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/contact_us/letters/ Website: http://westhawaiitoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/644 Author: Bobby Command Note: relevant section only Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) VOTERS FACE SEVEN BALLOT QUESTIONS ON ELECTION DAY Proposed amendment by Initiative to the Hawaii County Code "Should the Hawaii County Code be amended to add a new article that would be titled and known as the 'Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of Cannabis Ordinance,' which would, 1. direct the county to make law enforcement related to marijuana offenses, when the cannabis is only intended for adult personal use, their lowest law enforcement priority; 2. define 'adult personal use' to include the use of cannabis on private property only by persons 21 years of age or older; 3. prevent county law enforcement officials from accepting deputizations or commissions from a federal law enforcement agency for purposes of investigating, citing, or arresting citizens or searching or seizing their property if doing so is inconsistent with the lowest law enforcement priority of cannabis ordinance; 4. prohibit the Hawaii County Council from authorizing the acceptance of or issuing funding to be used to investigate, cite, arrest, prosecute, search or seize property from adults when doing so would be inconsistent with the lowest law enforcement priority for cannabis policy; 5. and direct the County Council not to support the acceptance of any funds for the marijuana eradication program?" Backed by a group known as Project Peaceful Skies, this law would essentially prohibit outside funding of marijuana enforcement, including green harvests which rely heavily upon helicopters. Supporters say it would allow law enforcement officers to concentrate efforts on drugs such as crystal methamphetamine instead of adults 21 and older who use "cannabis" on private property for personal, religious or medicinal purposes. "The National Institute for Drug Abuse has determined that eradication does not stop cultivation," said Adam Lehmann, campaign manager for Project Peaceful Sky. "It only increases the street value, which increases crime." However, Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna said it is rare that someone arrested solely for a marijuana offense possesses small amounts of the drug. "You don't get the complete picture with this proposal," said Mahuna. "Those who are busted usually have large amounts of marijuana, which is being used to make money or barter for other drugs." Mahuna said about a third of the money flowing up through the chain of dealers eventually lands in the hands of international terrorists. "We will comply with state laws regarding medicinal use," said Mahuna, adding that even those with licenses usually have much more marijuana than allowed. "But to condone this would not be in best interests of our citizens, or the country." Hoffmann said he is personally against the amendment, but he also has no problem with putting it on the ballot. "I believe the public will see this as what it is, vote against it and it will put this issue to rest," said Hoffmann. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin