cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Measure May Lead to More Use Marijuana Measure May Lead to More Use Posted by FoM on May 05, 2000 at 08:01:49 PT Editorial Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin The Legislature has passed, and Governor Cayetano is expected to sign, a bill legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.The measure was approved despite opposition by law enforcement agencies and the Hawaii Medical Association. Police officers said it would be difficult to deal with abuses of the medical-use exception. The HMA pointed out that marijuana has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that its use for medical purposes remains illegal under federal law.The bill does not eliminate the ban on cultivation, sale and use of marijuana for nonmedical purposes, but its passage could be the foot in the door for legislation removing all such restrictions.A sign that support for such legislation may be gaining momentum comes from the Big Island, where most of the marijuana produced in the state is believed to be grown. The Hawaii County Council voted 6-3 Tuesday to defer acceptance of $265,000 in federal funds to help conduct police marijuana raids.Council Chairman Jimmy Arakaki and Vice Chairman Al Smith, who had previously voted to approve other marijuana eradication grants, voted to defer action, citing concern about county liability. Arakaki and Smith said the state should assume responsibility for the raids because they are carried out by police from across Hawaii with the help of the Hawaii National Guard and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents.In previous votes on the issue, the council had usually been divided. The votes of Arakaki and Smith tipped the balance.Assistant Police Chief Wendell Paiva said failure to accept the money will affect eradication efforts because police rely on the funding to hire helicopters, purchase equipment and pay for overtime. But he said the Green Harvest raids, which have been conducted in various forms since 1976, will continue.In what may have been an indication of public sentiment on the marijuana issue, all of the private citizens who addressed the council opposed accepting the federal funds. Councilman Aaron Chung said he received 13 letters on the issue, and only one was in support of acceptance. Clearly militant opinion on marijuana, at least on the Big Island, is on the side of approval. Whatever the silent majority may think is another matter, but the vocal people get the politicians' attention.Although the debate over its effects continues, marijuana is not a harmless drug, particularly when smoked. If efforts to destroy marijuana plants dwindle, production -- and usage -- can be expected to increase significantly, and with the increase will come an increase in related health problems.Is that what the people of Hawaii want? We doubt it. Related Articles & Web Sites:Published: May 4, 2000© 2000 Honolulu Star-BulletinDrug Policy Forum Of Hawaiihttp://www.drugsense.org/dpfhi/Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute http://www.medijuana.com/Medical Marijuana OK Shows True Compassionhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5544.shtmlMarijuana Act Creates Enforcement Bramble http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5524.shtmlMedical Marijuana Law Doesn’t Mean Usagehttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5522.shtmlHawaii Lawmakers Approve Bill on Med. Use of MMJhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5518.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by drfist on May 05, 2000 at 14:43:56 PT: WHAT HEALTH RISK just what health problems are they referring too? none have been documented in long term users in real long term use studies in Jamaica and elsewhere, there was a trend for increased longevity, not health problems. Many poeple I know on the Big island have smoked daily for 50 years with no apparent health problems. The latest lie, it used to be the gateway to hard drugs now it is some imaginary "health Risk". [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Scott on May 05, 2000 at 12:37:31 PT: *sigh* >The HMA pointed out that marijuana has not been approved >by the Food and Drug Administration and that its use for >medical purposes remains illegal under federal law.I think the HMA should acknowledge the fact that state law comes in front of Federal law. If the Federal Law says no marijuana but the state law says yes marijuana, then people in that state can use it. The government can only bust people for doing things not outlined in the state law. Correct me if I'm wrong. but I'm pretty sure thats how it works.Scott [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: