Aloha,
The meeting notes from the Hawaii Medcial Cannabis working Group held on October 27th 2009 at the Hawaii State Capitol Building on O'ahu, are below to view and read.
Hawaii Medical Cannabis Working Group
"Talk Story" Notes
October 27, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 329
Opening Comments were made by Senator Wil Espero at 6:30 p.m.
· Update on SB1058 which established a taskforce to study medical marijuana issues.
· Explanation of the current working group as legislative intent; and the work to be done by the
working group.
Comments by Pam Lichty, Co-Chair
· Warning that there is media in the room, if you want privacy, move to a section out of camera
range.
· Introduction of the working group members:
R.C. Anderson, Americans for Safe Access
Mike Glenn, caregiver
Dr. Gary Greenly
Laurie Temple, Co-Chair, ACLU
Marvin Merritt, patient
Lila Rattner substituting for Joe Rattner, West Oahu Hope for a Cure
Comments by Laurie Temple, Co-Chair
· Explanation of ground rules and introduction of the discussion.
· The original patient questionnaire had the wrong fax number; patients were encouraged to
expand on the questionnaire and send in their recommendations.
Pam Lichty explained the new federal policy on medical marijuana which now says federal resources
will not be used prosecuting medical marijuana patients who abide by both state and federal laws.
Patient Comments:
Terri H.:
· Her private information was released to the media by NED
· Believes that NED should not run the program, health care providers are afraid
· Providers need to be more educated
· More user-friendly policy for workers, "need a model for the workplace," since cannabis can
stay in the system for a long time, urine test does not test for acute user
· Discrimination against renters, how are patients who rent supposed to grow?
· Information should be private between employee and employer
· Caregivers are exposed, need more caregivers
· Increase number of plants; allow for different strains, forms, doseages
Sherrie A., retired military with PTSD:
· Hard to become patient
· Extremely hard time getting medication
· Being in the military forces her to be silent
2
· She is not a criminal
· Mistaken for a prostitute in Waikiki when buying medication
Brian M., Patients without Time and Democracy in Action:
· Wants to see distribution system using family farmers "Sustainable Family Farm Act"; Hawaii
has the best environment to grow cannabis and we should use it to build family farms and the
economy
· Medical cannabis can be an export crop for Hawaii to other medical cannabis states
· Wants to see a distribution center on each island
· It takes a long time to grow: 90 days to grow, then drying time
· Make sure that local law enforcement follow the rules and state law rather than federal law
· Reciprocity for people from other medical cannabis states, temporary license for visitors
Mark N., Big Island patient and caregiver:
· Increase to 25 plants, uses 5-10 grams per day with a vaporizer
· Points out that Irv Rosenfeld received 22 ounces per month from the federal government
· Likes the Washington and Oregon limits
· Some counties in California allow up to 99 plants
· Need distribution system and reciprocity
Dale M.:
· Agrees with what everyone has said so far
· Growing is not easy, it is time consuming
· Hard to get good seeds
· Change amount that a patient can have
· We should be on the forefront of medical cannabis, not California
· Honolulu Star Bulletin has an article today on cannabis
· Too costly to buy on the streets
· Would like to see a distribution system and also allow people to grow their own if they choose to
Don E., Hemp Alliance, Hawaii Cannabis Patient Alliance:
· This is an issue of Hawaiian values, using core values approach would help solve the problem
· Hope to see a long range look
· Need to have more aloha spirit in this legislation
· Do things differently
Steve C.:
· Patient for 10 years in Oregon, believes it is a great program
· Dispensary is most effective, even with some of the bad parts
· Some doctors do not want to be involved
· The work group is on the right track
· Law enforcement should be separate from the program
· In Oregon, cops don't come until something illegal has happened
Carl:
3
· Represents Generation X
· Need dispensaries
· Money drives the movement, if government wants a cut, then pot smokers don't mind
· If there wasn't pressure from the law, more people would be involved in the program
· Growing is not easy, we need dispensaries
Tracy:
· Uses medical cannabis because of migraines, just wants something to help her feel better
· Cannot grow
· Governor can make money off cannabis
· Wishes to find more patient groups
· Since she is was formerly with the military, is concerned with privacy
· The program should issue cards, but with no information
Nathan:
· Patient from California, 5years
· Concerned that taxes from dispensaries would go into the general state budget
· Dispensaries pay 8.5% and thousands of dollars, will Hawaii tax and allocate monies properly
Kainoa:
· Religious user with THC ministries
· People's religious use should be respected like anyone attending any church
· Open conversation
· Federal policy should be the approach
· Many more people would be interested in cannabis if it were not a Schedule I drug
Patient A:
· President Obama issued new policy in writing
· Hawaii has 3 seasons to grow cannabis
· Wants to see dispensaries done in the right way, likes Lila's idea
· Concerned with the cost
· Should be able to address the deficit
Patient B:
· Glaucoma patient
· Upset by the cannabis stereotypes
· Would like to see more education
Robert B.
· Brought reports for the working group
· Should also address the hemp laws
· Hemp has the potential for many economic benefits: fabric for clothes, energy, etc.
· Taxing is good and money should go to education and UH Research
· Need better testing for strains and specific ailments
4
Jeanne Ohta, Executive Director, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii
· In response to a comment, explained the Colorado situation; that although their law is similar to
Hawaii, the caregiver limit (5 patients to a caregiver) was found to be invalid by a Colorado
court. Until the state can show that there is a legitimate reason for the limit, there is no limit in
Colorado on how many patients a caregiver can have.
Randy C.
· Had personal property taken by the DEA at the airport
· Read DEA statement: DEA welcomes the new policy by the DOJ, will still prosecute illegal
activity.
Dr. Wang
· Suggest that patients work with organic farmers association so that patients who are
compromised are not exposed to chemicals and pesticides
· Make sure that programs allow for low-income patients
· Need to educate more people of the dangers of using cannabis
Norm C.:
· Hope there are broader options instead of just a public option (referring to Lila's proposal),
include private industry
· Suggests Harborside dispensary (California) as a model
Billy:
· Cannabis has been used traditionally by many cultures
· More people are becoming involved
· Concerned that there as not been change for so long
· Believes that it should be taxed
(Compiled from notes taken by Mark Fisher and Jeanne Ohta)
All Hawaii Medical Cannabis Patients should be aware that when laws are changed, you're input is too valuable not to consider. After Gov Lingle leaves office the State of Hawaii will be changing its Medical Cannabis Laws. You must and need to speak up now, or forever again hold your breath they will change along with how and what our societal values and mores adapt to.
The meeting notes from the Hawaii Medcial Cannabis working Group held on October 27th 2009 at the Hawaii State Capitol Building on O'ahu, are below to view and read.
Hawaii Medical Cannabis Working Group
"Talk Story" Notes
October 27, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 329
Opening Comments were made by Senator Wil Espero at 6:30 p.m.
· Update on SB1058 which established a taskforce to study medical marijuana issues.
· Explanation of the current working group as legislative intent; and the work to be done by the
working group.
Comments by Pam Lichty, Co-Chair
· Warning that there is media in the room, if you want privacy, move to a section out of camera
range.
· Introduction of the working group members:
R.C. Anderson, Americans for Safe Access
Mike Glenn, caregiver
Dr. Gary Greenly
Laurie Temple, Co-Chair, ACLU
Marvin Merritt, patient
Lila Rattner substituting for Joe Rattner, West Oahu Hope for a Cure
Comments by Laurie Temple, Co-Chair
· Explanation of ground rules and introduction of the discussion.
· The original patient questionnaire had the wrong fax number; patients were encouraged to
expand on the questionnaire and send in their recommendations.
Pam Lichty explained the new federal policy on medical marijuana which now says federal resources
will not be used prosecuting medical marijuana patients who abide by both state and federal laws.
Patient Comments:
Terri H.:
· Her private information was released to the media by NED
· Believes that NED should not run the program, health care providers are afraid
· Providers need to be more educated
· More user-friendly policy for workers, "need a model for the workplace," since cannabis can
stay in the system for a long time, urine test does not test for acute user
· Discrimination against renters, how are patients who rent supposed to grow?
· Information should be private between employee and employer
· Caregivers are exposed, need more caregivers
· Increase number of plants; allow for different strains, forms, doseages
Sherrie A., retired military with PTSD:
· Hard to become patient
· Extremely hard time getting medication
· Being in the military forces her to be silent
2
· She is not a criminal
· Mistaken for a prostitute in Waikiki when buying medication
Brian M., Patients without Time and Democracy in Action:
· Wants to see distribution system using family farmers "Sustainable Family Farm Act"; Hawaii
has the best environment to grow cannabis and we should use it to build family farms and the
economy
· Medical cannabis can be an export crop for Hawaii to other medical cannabis states
· Wants to see a distribution center on each island
· It takes a long time to grow: 90 days to grow, then drying time
· Make sure that local law enforcement follow the rules and state law rather than federal law
· Reciprocity for people from other medical cannabis states, temporary license for visitors
Mark N., Big Island patient and caregiver:
· Increase to 25 plants, uses 5-10 grams per day with a vaporizer
· Points out that Irv Rosenfeld received 22 ounces per month from the federal government
· Likes the Washington and Oregon limits
· Some counties in California allow up to 99 plants
· Need distribution system and reciprocity
Dale M.:
· Agrees with what everyone has said so far
· Growing is not easy, it is time consuming
· Hard to get good seeds
· Change amount that a patient can have
· We should be on the forefront of medical cannabis, not California
· Honolulu Star Bulletin has an article today on cannabis
· Too costly to buy on the streets
· Would like to see a distribution system and also allow people to grow their own if they choose to
Don E., Hemp Alliance, Hawaii Cannabis Patient Alliance:
· This is an issue of Hawaiian values, using core values approach would help solve the problem
· Hope to see a long range look
· Need to have more aloha spirit in this legislation
· Do things differently
Steve C.:
· Patient for 10 years in Oregon, believes it is a great program
· Dispensary is most effective, even with some of the bad parts
· Some doctors do not want to be involved
· The work group is on the right track
· Law enforcement should be separate from the program
· In Oregon, cops don't come until something illegal has happened
Carl:
3
· Represents Generation X
· Need dispensaries
· Money drives the movement, if government wants a cut, then pot smokers don't mind
· If there wasn't pressure from the law, more people would be involved in the program
· Growing is not easy, we need dispensaries
Tracy:
· Uses medical cannabis because of migraines, just wants something to help her feel better
· Cannot grow
· Governor can make money off cannabis
· Wishes to find more patient groups
· Since she is was formerly with the military, is concerned with privacy
· The program should issue cards, but with no information
Nathan:
· Patient from California, 5years
· Concerned that taxes from dispensaries would go into the general state budget
· Dispensaries pay 8.5% and thousands of dollars, will Hawaii tax and allocate monies properly
Kainoa:
· Religious user with THC ministries
· People's religious use should be respected like anyone attending any church
· Open conversation
· Federal policy should be the approach
· Many more people would be interested in cannabis if it were not a Schedule I drug
Patient A:
· President Obama issued new policy in writing
· Hawaii has 3 seasons to grow cannabis
· Wants to see dispensaries done in the right way, likes Lila's idea
· Concerned with the cost
· Should be able to address the deficit
Patient B:
· Glaucoma patient
· Upset by the cannabis stereotypes
· Would like to see more education
Robert B.
· Brought reports for the working group
· Should also address the hemp laws
· Hemp has the potential for many economic benefits: fabric for clothes, energy, etc.
· Taxing is good and money should go to education and UH Research
· Need better testing for strains and specific ailments
4
Jeanne Ohta, Executive Director, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii
· In response to a comment, explained the Colorado situation; that although their law is similar to
Hawaii, the caregiver limit (5 patients to a caregiver) was found to be invalid by a Colorado
court. Until the state can show that there is a legitimate reason for the limit, there is no limit in
Colorado on how many patients a caregiver can have.
Randy C.
· Had personal property taken by the DEA at the airport
· Read DEA statement: DEA welcomes the new policy by the DOJ, will still prosecute illegal
activity.
Dr. Wang
· Suggest that patients work with organic farmers association so that patients who are
compromised are not exposed to chemicals and pesticides
· Make sure that programs allow for low-income patients
· Need to educate more people of the dangers of using cannabis
Norm C.:
· Hope there are broader options instead of just a public option (referring to Lila's proposal),
include private industry
· Suggests Harborside dispensary (California) as a model
Billy:
· Cannabis has been used traditionally by many cultures
· More people are becoming involved
· Concerned that there as not been change for so long
· Believes that it should be taxed
(Compiled from notes taken by Mark Fisher and Jeanne Ohta)
All Hawaii Medical Cannabis Patients should be aware that when laws are changed, you're input is too valuable not to consider. After Gov Lingle leaves office the State of Hawaii will be changing its Medical Cannabis Laws. You must and need to speak up now, or forever again hold your breath they will change along with how and what our societal values and mores adapt to.
