Pubdate: Mon, 16 Feb 2015
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2015 Star Advertiser
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154

MEDICAL PAKALOLO DISPENSARIES ON AGENDA

The push to develop dispensaries for medical marijuana will be back 
in the Hawaii Legislature this week when a joint meeting of two House 
committees takes up the proposal. Supporters say providing legal 
access to marijuana for patients is long overdue, and House Speaker 
Joe Souki agreed with that assessment in his opening-day remarks.

More than 200 pages of testimony were submitted for and against the 
proposal by those who feel strongly that access is needed and others 
who fear marijuana will fall into the hands of susceptible youths. 
The House's Health and Judiciary committees plan to vote on the 
measure Tuesday afternoon.

Hawaii lawmakers have the day off Monday, but they will be back at 
work Tuesday, plowing through thousands of bills this week. Here are 
a few more things to watch this week.

)) Local farming: On Tuesday afternoon the Senate Committee on 
Agriculture will take up a bill that would require the operators of 
farmers markets to ensure that more than 50 percent of vendors in the 
market primarily sell food or flowers produced in Hawaii.

)) Hungry dogs: Inspired by a dog called Hope, lawmakers want to make 
it clear who should be held responsible when a canine goes hungry and 
is deprived of sustenance. The House Committee on Commerce and 
Consumer Protection plans to take up the proposal Wednesday afternoon.

)) Policing the police: Hawaii lawmakers are looking for ways to 
increase oversight of the state's police officers. A panel of three 
Senate committees plans to vote Tuesday afternoon on a bill that 
would create a statewide law enforcement standards board.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom