Police Question Outdoor Growing, Reduced Penalties Several bills being considered by the state Legislature aim to make things easier for people in the state's medical marijuana program, but Big Island police have a few concerns. Senate Bill 2523, introduced by Puna Democrat Sen. Russell Ruderman, as originally written would allow open-air growing operations, greenhouses and shade houses to serve as medical marijuana production centers - so long as operations aren't visible to the outside. The idea, Ruderman said, is for plants to grow under natural sunlight "as they've evolved to do," rather than indoors under artificial lamps. The bill was amended Thursday to nix openair growing, and would now take effect starting in 2017, rather than this year. [continues 544 words]
Several bills now moving through the Legislature seek to amend the medical marijuana law and the Department of Health's (DOH) interim administrative rules: House Bill 2707, an omnibus bill; HB 1808 on greenhouses; HB 2708 on background checks; Senate Bill 2176 on oversight committees; SB 2581, another omnibus bill; SB 2175 to add one license and regarding felonies; and SB 2581 on growing opportunities. Some provisions would laudably remove restrictions on the use of greenhouses, shade houses or field growing - as long as they are enclosed by fencing, blocked from public view and have adequate security measures. Others would wisely modify criminal background checks for patients and caregivers and decriminalize marijuana from Felony B and C categories. [continues 450 words]
It will be highly lucrative for those groups awarded the medical marijuana dispensary licenses. Unfortunately, applicants who get chosen will be accused of undue influence and conflicts of interest. Those who don't will likely file lawsuits. What to do? I suggest we discard the panel to select the groups. Instead, have the state Department of Health choose the approved applicants in a fair way with an equal playing field. Put the names of the approved applicants on ping-pong balls, put the balls in a bingo cage, turn the cage and have the governor pull out eight balls to determine the groups awarded the licenses. It would be transparent and fair, and avoid conflicts of interest as well as lawsuits. Libby Tomar Kailua [end]
Lawmakers Are Considering Loosening Dispensary Rules and Allowing Greenhouses Advanced practice registered nurses, who already prescribe prescription drugs, could start certifying patients for medical marijuana under a bill passed out of committee Wednesday. House Bill 2707, one of roughly 60 bills related to medical marijuana, also permits pot samples to be transported interisland for testing and eliminates penalties for patients who use paraphernalia, such as pipes and vape pens, to take their medicine. Friday is an internal deadline to move bills to the next committee to keep them alive. [continues 569 words]
Remember "government of the people, by the people and for the people"? The state Department of Health has the fate of thousands of medical marijuana patients in its hands. Who decided that nobody is supposed to know who is on the dispensary application approval team, or who picked them ("Panel, process for pot licenses to remain secret," Star-Advertiser, Feb. 10)? Sounds like Big Brother knows what is best for everyone. And for that matter, why not just have free enterprise? The number of pharmacies per county should not be limited by the state. Sandra Conrad Ala Moana [end]
But Whether the Health Department Has Finalized the Committee Is Unclear The state Health Department reversed course Friday, saying it will release the names of medical marijuana dispensary committee members before the panel grants Hawaii's first licenses for legal pot sales. On Tuesday the agency said it would keep secret the names of the panelists who are to select eight winning applications from the 66 that were submitted last month. The decision to keep the selection process secret drew a sharp rebuke from lawmakers. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser also threatened to sue the state if the names were not released. [continues 612 words]
Oahu Publications Says It Is Prepared to Sue If the Heath Department Refuses The Honolulu Star-Advertiser told the state Health Department on Thursday it will file a lawsuit if the agency does not release by the close of business today the names of committee members who will award Hawaii's first medical marijuana dispensary licenses. Jeff Portnoy, attorney for the Star-Advertiser's parent company, Oahu Publications Inc., delivered the notice to the Department of Health demanding it disclose the names. [continues 661 words]
The people in the know clearly know the crucial fact about the new medical marijuana dispensary enterprise: It's going to be big business - very big. That, as well as the fact that only eight licenses will be awarded, has turned those permits into valuable commodities. And it's turned the process of selecting the licensees into a matter of public interest - one that should be done with as much transparency as possible. Unfortunately, the state Department of Health, which is administering the fledgling program, has decided that the best course to fairness is to sequester the people making the decision: its review panel. In this way, DOH officials have said, the panelists would not be open to influence. [continues 464 words]
The state Health Department said Tuesday it will neither release the names of committee members who will select the winners of Hawaii's eight medical marijuana dispensary licenses nor disclose any information about the selection process. The department received 66 applications for the dispensary licenses and will determine by April 15 who is granted the right to open the first legal marijuana shops in Hawaii later this year. "It is critical that the selection process be conducted without external influence and disruption, so that applicants are scored solely on their application and the merit criteria," said Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the Department of Health. "To ensure the integrity of the selection process, DOH will not be releasing any additional information about applicants, the application process or evaluation panel at this time." [continues 715 words]
Hawaii residents say legalizing industrial hemp could spur business ventures ranging from home construction to selling hemp seed candy bars at Hawaii airports. Lawmakers considered a bill Friday that would legalize and set rules for growing industrial hemp. The bill would require growers to register with the state and would clarify the difference between hemp and marijuana. The bill would also require the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to research development of products, such as clothing, oils and seed. Supporters say industrial hemp production could boost the agriculture sector and help rural economies. Nationwide at least 27 states have laws in place related to industrial hemp. In 2014 President Barack Obama signed the 2014 Farm Bill, which allowed universities and state departments to grow industrial hemp for limited uses. - -Staff and Associated Press [end]
Celebrities, politicians and attorneys vie to get in on the ground floor of an industry forecast to be worth millions Actor Woody Harrelson, Hollywood producer Shep Gordon and dozens of high-profile attorneys, entrepreneurs and politicians are jumping on the opportunity to sell pot in Hawaii. The state Health Department released Friday a list of 66 applicants for eight dispensary licenses that will allow for the opening of Hawaii's first medical marijuana retail centers as early as July 15. The list includes local doctors; video game entrepreneur Henk Rogers; Hawaii island farmer Richard Ha; "Hawaii Stars" television producer Dirk Fukushima; Michael Irish, owner of kim chee maker Halm's Enterprises and Keoki's Lau Lau; former St. Francis Healthcare Systems executive Eugene Tiwanak; former city Budget Director and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit Chairman Ivan Lui-Kwan; Kimberly Dey, CEO of production companies Liquid Planet Studios and Number-Eight; and Charles Kawakami, former president of Big Save supermarkets on Kauai. [continues 533 words]
State Rep. Cynthia Thielen has been a champion for cannabis, though not the kind that gets you high. Industrial hemp, Thielen said, yields thousands of uses and products, so it frustrates her to see them laughed off by those who confuse this varietal of the cannabis plant with what's known as marijuana. "Its uses range from termite proof and fire retardant hempcrete for building, nutritional hempseed products, animal feed, rope, paper, cloth," she said in an email response to a Star-Advertiser inquiry. [continues 166 words]
A bill that would ban homegrown marijuana in Hawaii is riling pot advocates as the state prepares for the opening of medical cannabis dispensaries this year. House Bill 1680, proposed by Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D-Wahiawa, Whitmore Village), would prohibit patients from growing their own pot in 2017, essentially forcing them to buy their marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries. "The discussion always has been to find a reliable, safe source of medical marijuana for Hawaii's patients," Oshiro said. "Those means would be through a well-regulated seed-to-sale tracking system to ensure that only the bona fide patients under doctors' care and with a valid certificate are able to obtain medical marijuana at the retail dispensaries. [continues 650 words]
Hemp production could save agriculture in Hawaii. The recent reporting on the University of Hawaii's study about growing hemp here is extremely hopeful. The preliminary results of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resource's experimental study on its farmland in Waimanalo point toward excellent possibilities. The timing of agricultural land becoming available on Maui and the announcement that Alexander & Baldwin (A&B), through its agricultural subsidiary Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. (HC&S), is considering hemp as a viable crop indicates how views have changed since industrial hemp was erroneously classified as a drug over 50 years ago. [continues 416 words]
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. [continues 67 words]
Oh, how to respond to Mr. Coakley and his North Hawaii Community Associations letter to the editor on Jan. 13? More 1950s reefer madness propaganda with unnamed certified studies and doom predictions if sick patients no longer have to grow their own pot and can purchase their legal medicine in a safe and secure location. Mainland pot interests intent on subverting our youth by subsidizing the dispensaries even though the DOH has not even selected who they will be. Hide the women and children "they" are coming for them! All this baloney despite recent Pew studies that show 65 percent support for legalization among millennials. Just who is out of touch, me, or Mr. Coakley? Representatives of the people passed this dispensary law. Is Mr. Coakley a supporter of law, or only the laws he likes? I have no doubt that in the future marijuana will be legal everywhere. Women's rights, same-sex marriage, transgender rights, gays in the military, society changes and moves forward. Thank God! [continues 121 words]
J. Appleton's attempt to discredit me and North Kohala Community Association is based on his lack of knowledge on the marijuana issue and his ignorance on the pulse of our community. We are asking why the two dispensary licenses for this island and eight throughout the state? We have less than 14,000 medical marijuana cardholders in Hawaii, 5,550 on the Big Isle. Each patient can have seven plants. If they can't grow their own, others can grow the plants for them. Of the 5,500, only 12 Big Isle patients cannot grow their own. So to "assist" these 12 people, four Big Isle reps helped introduce the bill: Cindy Evans, Mark Nakashima, Richard Creagan and Joy San Buenaventura. [continues 222 words]
Legalizing marijuana for agriculture is a pipe dream ("Like it or not, legalizing pot could be boon for local ag," Star-Advertiser, David Shapiro, Jan. 10). Alcohol and tobacco are not profitable in Hawaii because of the out-of-state competition, egregious state regulations, taxes, land, labor, production and transportation costs. Marketing labels like Puna Butter, Kona Gold or Maui Wowie would not create cannabis agriculture. Just like Hawaiian sweet bread, marijuana would not be exported; it would be produced outside of Hawaii. [continues 64 words]
Commercial cannabis (marijuana) in Colorado currently is grown indoors ("Like it or not, legalizing pot could be boon for local ag," Star-Advertiser, David Shapiro, Jan. 10). However, it's reasonable to expect federal laws prohibiting cannabis to collapse in the future, and that will give Hawaii an advantage with its ideal climate. Another thing that doesn't get mentioned is tourism. Millions of citizens across America are sick and tired of being persecuted, discriminated against and caged for using the relatively safe, extremely popular God-given plant. Colorado has seen tourism increase substantially since ending cannabis prohibition. The sooner Hawaii re-legalizes the plant, the sooner its tourism likely will increase also. Further, millions of citizens remember "Maui Wowie" and can hardly wait to smoke it legally. Stan White Dillon, Colo. [end]
The state Department of Health opened an 18-day bidding window today for companies interested in competing for medical marijuana dispensary licenses. This year Hawaii is joining at least 18 other states in legalizing the commercial production and distribution of medical marijuana. Under Act 241, 16 medical marijuana dispensaries will be licensed to open starting July 15. Several experienced Hawaii businessmen have said they plan to apply for licenses. Companies will need to dish out $5,000 just to apply and pay a $75,000 license fee if their application is selected. To make a bid, a company must show that it has at least $1 million worth of financial resources for each license, as well as $100,000 for each retail outlet. There is a $50,000 annual license renewal fee and an estimated $2 million to $5 million a year in overhead costs. [continues 455 words]
It's been a sad week for agriculture in Hawaii - and not only because Alexander & Baldwin Inc. announced that it's closing Hawaii's last sugar plantation, the company's 36,000acre farm on Maui. The same day, longtime Hawaii island farmer Richard Ha told employees he's shutting down his Hamakua Springs Country Farms, at least for the growing of crops that people eat. Ha stopped growing his tomatoes last year and now will no longer produce his mainstay bananas after the current crop goes to market. [continues 406 words]
Cocaine use in the workplace doubled in the fourth quarter from the year-earlier period while marijuana still remained the drug of choice. Among employees and job applicants tested for drugs, 0.4 percent tested positive for cocaine during the final three months of the year, according to a report Tuesday by Honolulu-based Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. That's up from 0.3 percent in the third quarter and double the 0.2 percent who tested positive for the drug in the fourth quarter of 2014. [continues 174 words]
In the "hurry up and wait" mode that defines Hawaii's lawmaking process, new rules launching the state's medical marijuana industry have been rushed, less than a year after a law finally sanctioned dispensaries, and 15 years after Hawaii approved medical marijuana use but without legal means of buying the drug. The harried nature of the rulemaking, coupled with lawmakers' criticisms of the crucial ground rules, are unsettling - so much so that it behooves officials to pause the timetable to do this properly. [continues 557 words]
Regarding medical marijuana distribution, I think all parties have it wrong. Hawaii County Councilwoman Margaret Wille is opposed to Oahu-based rules, rightly so, calling for county control and addressing certain areas where a "drug problem exists." She's right. A drug problem exists, due to the illegality of marijuana itself, creating black markets and so-called "crimes." My solution is simple: no regulation at all. Legalization of medical marijuana was enacted to help the needy, not to line the pockets of the greedy. [continues 68 words]
The State Department of Health Is Criticized for Its New Regulations on Medical Marijuana Hawaii lawmakers criticized top Department of Health officials on Monday over new rules governing the growth and sale of medical marijuana, saying that health officials may have overstepped their statutory authority by prohibiting the use of greenhouses and excluding official retail outlets from selling rolled marijuana cigarettes and certain smoking paraphernalia. "I get very frustrated when executive departments establish rules that go beyond what the Legislature opined," Sen. Roz Baker (D, West Maui-South Maui) told health officials who testified in front of a joint hearing of the House Health Committee and Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health Committee. "The Legislature makes policy and the executive branch implements that policy. So I would like you ... to look at those rules and in areas where they go beyond what the statute says specifically, take them down. They don't belong there." [continues 812 words]
Twenty-three states plus the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis, and more are coming on board each year. The belief that cannabis has no medicinal efficacy has been disproven in privately funded studies. More clinical trials are critically needed. Yet, those studies cannot be performed as long as the Drug Enforcement Administration classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, which places it as having no medical use. This needs to change, and soon. Congress is not moving fast enough, but there is another route: rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule II drug by executive order. [continues 66 words]
Four Hawaii doctors earlier this month filed a petition with the state to put pressure on the federal government to change the classification of medical marijuana. Marijuana is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a "Schedule I controlled substance," the most dangerous category of controlled substances, which includes heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and Ecstasy. Dr. Clifton Otto of Honolulu and three other Hawaii doctors asked state Attorney General Douglas Chin to push for removing marijuana from the Schedule I list. [continues 489 words]
Enclosed-Growing Rule Could Cost Kauai Dispensary Investors Millions A definition in the interim administrative rules for medical marijuana dispensaries posted this month could cost Kauai dispensary investors millions of dollars in utility and construction costs. According to the interim rules, medically-grown marijuana shall be grown "in an enclosed indoor facility," as required by HB 321, the state law creating the dispensary program. An enclosed indoor facility rules out greenhouses, which proponents say could cut utility costs by half. The structure would need a concrete floor and rigid steel sides that encloses the facility with all entry points secured, according the Department of Health. Additionally, the interior of the structure may not be visible from the outside. [continues 714 words]
A Nonprofit Group Has Ranked Hawaii No. 6 for the State's Rate of Fatal Substance Use We don't have nearly the extreme kind of heroin epidemic that you see on the mainland. ... What we most commonly see kids overdose with in Hawaii is still alcohol poisoning." Colleen Fox Director of adolescent programs, Hina Mauka Hawaii has the sixth-lowest rate among the states of youth dying from drug overdoses, but the figure is trending upward across the country, according to a new report from the Trust for America's Health. [continues 722 words]
Medical marijuana patients will not be allowed to sample their medicines before they buy when dispensaries open next year. The state Health Department issued interim administrative rules Tuesday for the medical marijuana dispensary licensing program that require cannabis operators to grow their plants indoors and at least 750 feet away from schools and playgrounds. It also doesn't allow retail operators to hand out free samples or sell paraphernalia. The dispensaries will be highly regulated with unlimited unannounced inspections, the department said. [continues 377 words]
A group composed of Hawaii farmers, a naturopath and a University of Hawaii bioengineering researcher is preparing to apply for a medical marijuana dispensary license in January. The group, led by Dr. Ryan Ferchoff, founder of Medical Medicinals LLC, and Maui business consultant Steven Bronstein, issued a news release Tuesday announcing its intentions to vie for one of eight dispensary licenses next year. Bronstein has represented some of Hawaii's largest medical groups, educators and local businesses for more than 15 years, and was the founder of Cushman & Wakefield's retail division, previously owned by the Rockefellers. [continues 155 words]
During a talk radio debate last week, Tulsa's district attorney, Steve Kunzweiler, warned that civil forfeiture reform would invite "some of the most violent people in the history of this planet" to set up shop in Oklahoma, making decapitated bodies "hung from bridges" a familiar sight in the Sooner State. Last month, Steve Jones, an assistant district attorney, told Tennessee legislators "criminals will thank you" for making it harder to confiscate people's property. These are the noises that cops and prosecutors make when people talk about restricting their license to steal. A new report from the Institute for Justice, which gives the forfeiture laws of both Oklahoma and Tennessee a "D-", explains why legislators should ignore such self-interested fear mongering. [continues 559 words]
Hawaii's Health Department is looking for a company to build an online system to track medical marijuana inventory and sales at dispensaries statewide in 2016. The department's Office of Health Care Assurance, which regulates and licenses health care facilities, has issued a request for proposals for a computer software tracking system that will run 24 hours a day, according to Keith Ridley, who heads the office. "This is another major step forward to implement the medical marijuana program to ensure access for Hawaii patients and caregivers," Ridley said in a news release. [continues 332 words]
FBI Director James Comey says cops are reluctant to do their jobs because they worry that their actions will be captured on camera. Judging from the official response to the shooting of Zachary Hammond, they have little to fear. Speaking at the University of Chicago Law School last month, Comey said police officers "in today's YouTube world" are afraid to get out of their cars, lest they face camera-wielding bystanders intent on recording them. He warned that good policing could "drift away from us in the age of viral videos" as cops refrain from confronting suspicious characters. [continues 580 words]
Parents, if you haven't already done so, be sure to cull through the kids' Halloween bounty to check that all goodies are safe to eat. That should be a routine every year - but this September, there have been reports here of high school students being sickened by candy containing THC, the active ingredient and toxicant in marijuana. The packaging was innocent-looking enough, with one "100% vegan and organic" fruit roll-up product bearing the label Shaka Organics Hawaii. Be warned that cannabis candies are being sold in the several states that have legalized recreational pot, and, of course, all over the Internet. [end]
Tainted Treats Send Several High-Schoolers to the Emergency Room Manufactured cannabis-laced fruit candy that has sickened Oahu teens in recent weeks may be touching off anxiety among parents of trick-or-treaters this Halloween. Several high school students wound up in Oahu hospital emergency rooms after ingesting candy with THC, the active ingredient and chief intoxicant in marijuana. The source was traced to packaged rolled-fruit candy, said Keith Kamita, state Narcotics Enforcement Division chief. As part of Halloween-safety awareness, "we are educating the public there are candies and fruit roll-ups that they should be aware of," Kamita said. Candies containing THC - whether in chocolates and brownies or fruit roll-ups and hard candies - are illegal to distribute in Hawaii, he said. [continues 505 words]
State police confiscated more than 6,700 marijuana plants on the Big Island during two recent eradication missions. The Department of Public Safety Narcotics Enforcement Division had a mission Sept. 18-19 in East Hawaii, said Toni Schwartz, public information officer for the department. They found 6,000 plants, 90 percent of which were in one open-forest grow situation. On Monday and Tuesday, the officers performed a similar mission on the west side of the Big Island. There, NED officers confiscated more than 700 plants, she said. Most were growing in residential areas. [continues 371 words]
The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is reassuring banks and other financial institutions that they may open accounts for medical marijuana businesses in Hawaii when dispensaries start operations next year. Iris Ikeda, DCCA's commissioner of financial institutions, issued a news release Monday after conducting a series of presentations for the heads of local banks, compliance officers and their attorneys to "address some of their concerns" if they are considering opening these high-risk accounts. "The question has always been around whether or not banks can open marijuana-related accounts," she said. "(Federal regulators) want to make it clear that even though marijuana is still a Schedule 1 drug, if they take a risk-based approach, they can open an account. Currently banks are not willing to open the accounts." [continues 570 words]
The state Department of Health is under heavy pressure to speed up the process that would allow medical marijuana patients to receive cannabis. The department has been criticized for its reluctance to issue temporary cards; DOH expressed worry that temporary cards could easily be forged. The worry is understandable, given that marijuana is a hugely popular recreational drug, and is expected to become widely available through dispensaries beginning July 15. And DOH must fulfill its duty to ensure, as best it can, that the drug is dispensed properly. Meanwhile, under revised rules of professional conduct, Hawaii lawyers will be permitted to counsel applicants seeking to open dispensaries, which is a welcome switch from the previous situation. [end]
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. [end]
Medical Marijuana Patients Need State Cards to Possess Pakalolo, the Health Department Says State officials are warning Hawaii's medical marijuana patients and caregivers to tag their plants and carry their registration cards to avoid getting in trouble with the law. The requirements are part of an amended set of rules proposed by the state Department of Health and approved by Gov. David Ige in July. According to the updated rules, anyone registered to grow marijuana plants must have a legible identification tag on each marijuana plant, up to the allowable limit of seven plants. The tags must show the patient's registration number and expiration date of the card. [continues 607 words]
Hawaii workers testing positive for crystal meth and marijuana decreased in the third quarter, though more people tried to use synthetic urine to mask drug use in the workplace. Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc., which conducts drug tests for between 7,000 and 10,000 workers, said meth, or "ice," use was down to 0.7 percent in the quarter from 0.9 percent in year-earlier period, according to a quarterly report released Tuesday. Marijuana use also dropped to 2.2 percent from 2.8 percent. Cocaine use remained flat at 0.3 percent, while positive opiate results fell slightly to 0.2 percent from 0.3 percent. [continues 132 words]
Big-name entrepreneurs, high-profile attorneys and former politicians are positioning themselves to compete for one of the eight licenses the state will issue next year to begin selling medical marijuana legally in Hawaii for the first time. Nearly 30 new business registrations include "marijuana," "cannabis," "pakalolo" and "weed" in their names, many of them filed with the state since the enactment of the law authorizing the establishment of pot dispensaries. Many are associated with well known business personalities. The daughter of Henk Rogers, owner of the Tetris video game brand, is among those planning to apply, as is Bill Jarvis, CEO of Mobi PCS, and Michael Irish, CEO of kimchee manufacturer Halm's Enterprises Inc. and Keoki's Lau Lau. Anthony Takitani, a Maui attorney and former state legislator, registered Maui Medical Marijuana Dispensary LLC with Hollywood film agent and producer Shep Gordon. Former Honolulu Mayor and longtime city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle is representing a group of critical-care doctors vying for a license, and David Louie, previously state attorney general, is also representing a potential licensee. [continues 1456 words]
Small amounts of marijuana are not a big deal to the federal government. FBI teams will not be rappelling onto your roof because you are holding a joint. But holding that joint is still against federal law and that is creating new problems for Hawaii's embryonic medical marijuana business. Lawyers' rules of ethics and professional conduct don't allow lawyers to advise clients to engage in conduct that is illegal. A month ago the Disciplinary Board of the Hawaii Supreme Court came out with Formal Opinion 49, saying Hawaii attorneys "may not provide legal services to facilitate the establishment and operation of a medical marijuana business." [continues 443 words]
Steve was guest-hosting "The Diane Rehm Show" on NPR recently, and the topic was the nationwide upsurge in heroin addiction. The first caller was Stacy from New Albany, Indiana. "It's funny," she said. "I'm listening to this show and I have a syringe of heroin in my hand." She had gotten hurt in the military, explained Stacy, and the painkillers prescribed by her doctors led to her addiction. She uses heroin now because it is far cheaper than the legal drugs that caused her dependency. [continues 711 words]
A group on Kauai plans to apply for a permit for a medical marijuana dispensary, which they hope will be entirely locally funded and operated. The Garden Island reported Monday that since Gov. David Ige approved House Bill 321, which sets up a system of medical marijuana dispensaries, the Kauai Dispensary Project has been approached by three investors and has an advisory board of five members. Dispensary Project lead director Judiah McRoberts says a dispensary on the island would create easier access for more than 1,800 medical marijuana patients on the island. Star-Advertiser staff and Associated Press [end]
To the editor: Thank you, TGI, for bringing the discussion about the new dispensary law front and forward. I truly believe that opening up dialogue between all stakeholders and the Kauai community will be a key aspect to make sure the new program is safe and successful. As a registered nurse I have seen the medical benefits of cannabis and I realize the new law will help a large portion of individuals who have little to no reliable access to medicine. I grew up on Kauai. I have a 7-year-old daughter and another child on the way. The last thing I want to see is cannabis ending up in the wrong hands. [continues 83 words]
Kauai Stakeholders Want Locally Owned, Operated Medical Marijuana Dispensary LIHUE - A group of Kauai stakeholders plans to apply for a medical marijuana dispensary on the island, and hopes to make it 100 percent locally funded and operated. Judiah McRoberts, Kauai Dispensary Project lead director, said Gov. David Ige's approval of House Bill 321 - which establishes a licensing system for medical marijuana dispensaries in the state - will create easier access for more than 1,800 registered medical marijuana patients on Kauai. [continues 1024 words]
The promotion of industrial hemp as a silver bullet to protect agricultural lands from development is a case of misplaced enthusiasm. Sugar and pineapple have experienced greatly reduced plantings due to cheaper production elsewhere. The 10-year legislative promotion of ethanol in fuel could not induce a single investor to build a plant to produce it. The ship has sailed on industrial crop production in Hawaii due to high costs of land, water and labor. Legislative enthusiasm to support Hawaiian agriculture would be better focused on improving the water supply to agriculturally important lands, enhanced grower access to local markets via an open statewide auction house and enhanced interisland transportation, such as the Superferry. Let's not waste valuable tax dollars on developing a crop like industrial hemp that can and will be more cost effectively produced in other mainland states, if and when it becomes legal to do so. Joe DeFrank Mililani [end]
The best way to protect agricultural land from future development is to cultivate needed crops on the acreage. So we sure hope that state Rep. Cynthia Thielen is right about hemp. The Windward Oahu Republican has been promoting industrial hemp for years, helping overcome numerous hurdles to farming it, hurdles related to its controversial cousin, marijuana. Now that University of Hawaii researchers are harvesting their first industrial hemp crop in Waimanalo, the potential of the versatile, fast-growing plant as an agricultural mainstay seems wide open. The plant has thousands of uses, including in health products, as a fuel source and in the building material "hempcrete." [end]
Inside Hawaii
