Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jun 2015
Source: Garden Island (Lihue, HI)
Copyright: 2015 The Garden Island
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/Fyr3Cplk
Website: http://thegardenisland.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964
Author: Marcus R. Oshiro
Note: Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro, House District 46, 
Wahiawa-Whitmore-Launani (586-6700)

FOR-PROFIT MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES ARE BAD FOR HAWAII

At the onset, I believe marijuana has a place in the treatment of 
disease. However, for-profit growing and selling of marijuana, even 
for medical use, would be a bad untested social experiment on 
Hawaii's people. Hawaii's citizens are not laboratory rats. 
Not-for-profit or co-operatives or limited imports are better aligned 
with Hawaii's values.

First, legalizing for-profit selling of marijuana is a new idea in 
the world. The USA and Uruguay and not the Netherlands or Jamaica, 
are the only places that allow for legal production and sales. 
Interestingly, in the US only 11 of 23 medical marijuana states or 
less than half have any actual operating experience. Furthermore, the 
average retail store experience is about two years. Consequently, 24 
months of social-science evidence at best may justify a pilot project 
but not a permanent laissez-faire policy built on such skimpy evidence.

Second, no state has consistent standards to insure safe and 
uncontaminated products. Unlike prescription drugs and most food 
products it is still caveat emptor. Unhealthy mold, pesticides, and 
petroleum residue are showing up in marijuana in Washington, 
Colorado, and Oregon. If they were sold at Longs they would be 
recalled. Do we tolerate third-world purity standards because it is 
"medicinal" marijuana?

Third, all states that have medical marijuana dispensaries have a 
higher than average use of marijuana among youth. Contrary to common 
belief, marijuana is addictive. The National Institutes of Drug Abuse 
suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; 
this number increases among those who start young (one in six) and 
among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent)." A 
University of Colorado study reveals that about 74 percent of teens 
obtained their marijuana from medical marijuana card holders. Will 
this happen here?

Fourth, legalizing medical marijuana for retail sale will not 
eliminate the black market but disguise it and enhance its 
penetration into our communities, especially among youth. The fact 
is, no state that has either legalized medical or recreational 
marijuana has eliminated the illegal drug trade. As a Colorado law 
enforcement officer observed, "legalization of marijuana floats all 
boats." Are Hawaii's criminals different?

Fifth, allowing out-of-state sub-contractors access to Hawaii's 16 
dispensaries will place our families and communities at the mercy of 
rich Mainland interest. Once given a toe hold, they will never leave 
but use their increasing wealth and political influence to expand 
their market share and bottom line.

Of course, they will give to this charity or that but it is merely 
another good-will business investment. Certainly, nothing to write 
home about and meager compared to the destructive human cost we will 
pay. Like the pharmaceutical, alcohol, and tobacco entrepreneurs, 
corporate marijuana pushes a business model built on reliable 
customers. Also known as addicts.

In close, as legislators we have a moral duty to carefully and 
critically consider policy decisions with the future ever in mind. 
Here, however, we have relied on anecdotes and not evidence, untested 
and unfished social experiments, and we have not exhausted less 
drastic means of helping our medical marijuana patients and families 
get marijuana. Progressive states only allow nonprofits marijuana 
dispensaries but why not Hawaii?

Hence, HB 321 is the "Pandora's Box" sitting on the governor's koa 
desk. And, I hope it remains unopened and closed. Moreover, that the 
governor's action reminds all of us that Hawaii is a very special 
place. And, a special place like Hawaii deserves policies and laws 
that reflect our best traditions and highest values. Medical 
marijuana "pot barons" are creatures of Mainland culture and 
corporate greed. We should not welcome them into our island homes.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom