Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
HONOLULU - Licensed medical marijuana users in Hawaii are allowed to smoke and even grow the drug, but they can't buy it unless they do so illegally.
Since Hawaii became the first state to approve medical marijuana legislatively a decade ago, its law hasn't changed, meaning registered patients can only get weed by growing it themselves or through a caregiver.
A new proposal advancing through the state legislature would create California-style medical marijuana dispensaries, where smokers may be able to buy the islands' well-known varieties such as "Maui Wowie" and "Kona Gold." The Senate passed the measure this week, sending it to the House for further consideration. Gov. Linda Lingle has not indicated whether supports the legislation.
Hawaii is one of eight states with limited laws permitting patients to grow marijuana or get it from a caregiver while prohibiting sales at stores, according to the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project. Six other states have authorized dispensaries for use by licensed medical marijuana patients.
Patients like Teri Heede, who suffers from multiple sclerosis that limits her mobility and impairs her vision, said Hawaii needs to create a way for legitimate marijuana users to get their medicine. Heede currently gets her supply from a licensed caregiver.
"We need to take this out of the hands of the black market. We need a safe, quality, legal supply," said Heede, 54, who says she was bedridden before she smoked marijuana but now can walk. "We're just too sick to grow our own."
Police are fighting medical marijuana expansion, arguing that crime would increase and too many people would abuse dispensaries by getting doctors' permission for made-up symptoms.
For example, 4,199 out of the state's 7,095 marijuana patients list "severe pain" as their medical condition.
"Some of these physicians are just too generous in how they're issuing these permits. It's supposed to be for severe debilitation," said Keith Kamita, chief of the narcotics enforcement division for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.
One physician accounts for more than 2,000 of Hawaii's patients, Kamita said. Fifty-eight percent of Hawaii's patients are on the Big Island.
States like Hawaii that were early adopters of medical marijuana laws are less likely to have the newer dispensary provisions, said Karmen Hanson of the National Conference of State Legislatures' health program.
"Dispensaries seem to be a newer aspect of the law. In states with existing statutes, you see legislation coming up to address the dispensary issue," she said.
About 15 states are proposing legislation this year to create or update medical marijuana programs, she said.
Existing Hawaii law turns patients into criminals because even people who grow their own pot have to get starter plants or seeds somewhere, which is illegal, said Jeanne Ohta, executive director for the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.
"When people get their marijuana cards, they call us and ask, 'Now what do I do?'" Ohta said. "The only available source of marijuana is the illegal market."
Lawmakers have an ulterior motive in establishing marijuana dispensaries: cash.
Hawaii's legislation would tax medical marijuana at a rate of $30 per ounce along with a 4 percent sales tax, which could generate $50 million in annual revenue for a state government that's facing a $1.2 billion projected deficit.
"We've already legalized medical marijuana, and now we have to allow for humane access to it," said Sen. Kalani English, D-East Maui-Lanai-Molokai. "Our attitudes have changed in the last 10 years. Hawaii is a live-and-let-live state. If it doesn't harm anyone else, what you do is up to you."
Along with the medical marijuana proposal, the state Senate also has passed a bill this year decriminalizing possession of less than an ounce. The measure would treat minor marijuana possession like a traffic ticket, with a maximum fine of $100.
The Obama administration announced last year that patients wouldn't face federal arrest in states that allow medical marijuana.
The six states with laws authorizing medical marijuana dispensaries are California, Colorado, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico and Rhode Island. The eight other states that remove criminal penalties for medical marijuana use are Alaska, Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
NewsHawk: User: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: pennlive.com
Author: MARK NIESSE
Copyright: 2010 The Associated Press
Contact: Contact Us at PennLive.com: Central PA Real-Time News, Information and Community with The Patriot-News
Website: Green Hawaii weighing marijuana dispensaries - NewsFlash - PennLive.com
• Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Since Hawaii became the first state to approve medical marijuana legislatively a decade ago, its law hasn't changed, meaning registered patients can only get weed by growing it themselves or through a caregiver.
A new proposal advancing through the state legislature would create California-style medical marijuana dispensaries, where smokers may be able to buy the islands' well-known varieties such as "Maui Wowie" and "Kona Gold." The Senate passed the measure this week, sending it to the House for further consideration. Gov. Linda Lingle has not indicated whether supports the legislation.
Hawaii is one of eight states with limited laws permitting patients to grow marijuana or get it from a caregiver while prohibiting sales at stores, according to the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project. Six other states have authorized dispensaries for use by licensed medical marijuana patients.
Patients like Teri Heede, who suffers from multiple sclerosis that limits her mobility and impairs her vision, said Hawaii needs to create a way for legitimate marijuana users to get their medicine. Heede currently gets her supply from a licensed caregiver.
"We need to take this out of the hands of the black market. We need a safe, quality, legal supply," said Heede, 54, who says she was bedridden before she smoked marijuana but now can walk. "We're just too sick to grow our own."
Police are fighting medical marijuana expansion, arguing that crime would increase and too many people would abuse dispensaries by getting doctors' permission for made-up symptoms.
For example, 4,199 out of the state's 7,095 marijuana patients list "severe pain" as their medical condition.
"Some of these physicians are just too generous in how they're issuing these permits. It's supposed to be for severe debilitation," said Keith Kamita, chief of the narcotics enforcement division for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.
One physician accounts for more than 2,000 of Hawaii's patients, Kamita said. Fifty-eight percent of Hawaii's patients are on the Big Island.
States like Hawaii that were early adopters of medical marijuana laws are less likely to have the newer dispensary provisions, said Karmen Hanson of the National Conference of State Legislatures' health program.
"Dispensaries seem to be a newer aspect of the law. In states with existing statutes, you see legislation coming up to address the dispensary issue," she said.
About 15 states are proposing legislation this year to create or update medical marijuana programs, she said.
Existing Hawaii law turns patients into criminals because even people who grow their own pot have to get starter plants or seeds somewhere, which is illegal, said Jeanne Ohta, executive director for the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.
"When people get their marijuana cards, they call us and ask, 'Now what do I do?'" Ohta said. "The only available source of marijuana is the illegal market."
Lawmakers have an ulterior motive in establishing marijuana dispensaries: cash.
Hawaii's legislation would tax medical marijuana at a rate of $30 per ounce along with a 4 percent sales tax, which could generate $50 million in annual revenue for a state government that's facing a $1.2 billion projected deficit.
"We've already legalized medical marijuana, and now we have to allow for humane access to it," said Sen. Kalani English, D-East Maui-Lanai-Molokai. "Our attitudes have changed in the last 10 years. Hawaii is a live-and-let-live state. If it doesn't harm anyone else, what you do is up to you."
Along with the medical marijuana proposal, the state Senate also has passed a bill this year decriminalizing possession of less than an ounce. The measure would treat minor marijuana possession like a traffic ticket, with a maximum fine of $100.
The Obama administration announced last year that patients wouldn't face federal arrest in states that allow medical marijuana.
The six states with laws authorizing medical marijuana dispensaries are California, Colorado, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico and Rhode Island. The eight other states that remove criminal penalties for medical marijuana use are Alaska, Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
NewsHawk: User: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: pennlive.com
Author: MARK NIESSE
Copyright: 2010 The Associated Press
Contact: Contact Us at PennLive.com: Central PA Real-Time News, Information and Community with The Patriot-News
Website: Green Hawaii weighing marijuana dispensaries - NewsFlash - PennLive.com
• Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Go Teri, Jeanne, go
I appreciate standing next to great warriors, educators and champions for all. A Hui Hou my outer island friends. Mahalos to Senator English, Senator Espero, Senator Green, and the rest for their support. These 3 bills, SB2213, SB2141, SB2450 pass over to the House real soon so stronger support is needed for all Hawaii Residents who read this please call, write your Senators to pass these 3 bills. 
