Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 Source: West Hawaii Today (HI) Copyright: 2016 West Hawaii Today Contact: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/contact_us/letters/ Website: http://westhawaiitoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/644 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n027/a07.html Author: Stan White COLORADO PERSPECTIVE ON HAWAII CANNABIS DEBATE As a Colorado citizen who helped re-legalize cannabis, Jeffrey K. Coakley's misinformed letter (Real motivation for marijuana isn't medicine, Jan. 14,), demands much correction. Ohio "voted no" regarding cannabis (marijuana) because their specific initiative was flawed and even cannabis activist opposed it and will likely pass it next time. When cannabis is re-legalized, there is not an increase in social services but rather a reduction; it's one reason law enforcement agencies and their unions consistently oppose ending cannabis prohibition and it's one of the reasons voters want to end cannabis prohibition. It's difficult to criticize Colorado when every subsequent poll indicates Colorado voters continue supporting the end of cannabis prohibition. Now that cannabis is completely re-legalized, citizens continue using it medically but no longer must pay extortion money to government for protection from police Further, the majority of Hawaiians want to end cannabis prohibition. Coakley speaks for the minority. Stan White Dillon, Colo. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom