Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Today it's safe to say that most people accept cannabis' medical use. State law allows it. Then why are patients still being arrested and prosecuted?
Medical cannabis patients are particularly vulnerable because they have seen a doctor, openly declare to using cannabis and obediently register with the state Narcotics Enforcement Division in the belief they will be protected.
Law-abiding patients trust in institutions. Yet institutions like Narcotics Enforcement Division use the patient information provided to investigate, harass and arrest when possible. Last summer police violated at least 57 patients' right to privacy after showing up at their homes demanding to see plants -- with no probable cause or search warrant.
The violations continue: The head of Narcotics Enforcement Division, Keith Kamita, attends community meetings to discredit the state medical marijuana program, the very program he administers. He defames doctors by showing their photos and questions the legitimacy of their recommendations; Hawaii police show up at an Oceanview AA/NA meeting and tell participants that they are investigating doctors; Narcotics Enforcement Division releases individual patient data to the Tribune-Herald and patients are systematically arrested when traveling to Oahu for medical treatment.
Law enforcements' stubborn refusal to follow state laws needs to end and public officials who are consistently in violation should be removed from their positions.
We will ensure that next session the state Legislature will pass a bill to transfer administration of the medical marijuana program to Public Health, where it belongs, and to set up a dispensary system that guarantees that patients receive medical-grade cannabis and safe access so that sick people no longer have to buy medicine from a criminal underworld.
Andrea Tischler
Americans for Safe Access
Big Island Chapter
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: westhawaiitoday.com
Author: Andrea Tischler
Copyright: 2010 West Hawaii Today
Contact: West Hawaii Today - Contact Us
Website: West Hawaii Today - Opinion > Letters - Your Voice > Medical mariijuan
Medical cannabis patients are particularly vulnerable because they have seen a doctor, openly declare to using cannabis and obediently register with the state Narcotics Enforcement Division in the belief they will be protected.
Law-abiding patients trust in institutions. Yet institutions like Narcotics Enforcement Division use the patient information provided to investigate, harass and arrest when possible. Last summer police violated at least 57 patients' right to privacy after showing up at their homes demanding to see plants -- with no probable cause or search warrant.
The violations continue: The head of Narcotics Enforcement Division, Keith Kamita, attends community meetings to discredit the state medical marijuana program, the very program he administers. He defames doctors by showing their photos and questions the legitimacy of their recommendations; Hawaii police show up at an Oceanview AA/NA meeting and tell participants that they are investigating doctors; Narcotics Enforcement Division releases individual patient data to the Tribune-Herald and patients are systematically arrested when traveling to Oahu for medical treatment.
Law enforcements' stubborn refusal to follow state laws needs to end and public officials who are consistently in violation should be removed from their positions.
We will ensure that next session the state Legislature will pass a bill to transfer administration of the medical marijuana program to Public Health, where it belongs, and to set up a dispensary system that guarantees that patients receive medical-grade cannabis and safe access so that sick people no longer have to buy medicine from a criminal underworld.
Andrea Tischler
Americans for Safe Access
Big Island Chapter
NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: westhawaiitoday.com
Author: Andrea Tischler
Copyright: 2010 West Hawaii Today
Contact: West Hawaii Today - Contact Us
Website: West Hawaii Today - Opinion > Letters - Your Voice > Medical mariijuan
