Pubdate: Wed, 21 Oct 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

ISLES' TOP COURT REVERSES MARIJUANA RULING

The Hawaii Supreme Court reversed Tuesday a ruling that barred 
lawyers from helping to establish medical marijuana dispensaries.

A formal opinion issued last month by the Disciplinary Board of the 
Hawaii Supreme Court concluded that Hawaii lawyers could not "provide 
legal services to facilitate the establishment and operation of a 
medical marijuana business," because selling pot is still considered 
a federal crime.

After an expedited public comment period to amend the rules following 
outcry from about two dozen local attorneys, including former 
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and former state Attorney General David 
Louie, the court changed the rules to say lawyers "may counsel or 
assist a client regarding conduct expressly permitted by Hawaii law, 
provided that the lawyer counsels the client about the legal consequences."

The Legislature passed a bill this year that allows for 16 medical 
marijuana dispensaries to open in Hawaii on July 15.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom