cannabisnews.com: Big Isle Rejects Anti-Marijuana Funds





Big Isle Rejects Anti-Marijuana Funds
Posted by FoM on September 02, 2000 at 09:35:41 PT
By Treena Shapiro, Star-Bulletin
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Big Island police fear the county's marijuana problem will grow out of control now that the department has lost 67 percent of the funding for its eradication program. A $265,000 grant from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency would have paid for rental helicopters, overtime for police officers, training, equipment and community presentations aimed at reducing demand for marijuana. But the police department returned the check yesterday after the Hawaii County Council failed to find insurance to cover potential legal fees.
The Council had earlier agreed to accept the grant if it was able to use a portion of the money to buy insurance to pay their legal fees in case of possible impeachment. Last year, marijuana advocates brought impeachment charges against the Big Island mayor and six Council members alleging faulty regulation of the eradication program.A Circuit Court judge dismissed the case on technical grounds but invited the marijuana advocates to resubmit their petition for impeachment at later date.Insurance companies said it was like trying to offer protection against a past action and wouldn't cover the Council because it accepted the grant, according to county purchasing agent Bill Gray."I don't blame the insurance companies," he said. "I think the underwriters just couldn't get a handle on this thing."The Big Island's "Green Harvest" eradication program has generated criticism about noise, invasion of privacy, health concerns because of poison used on the plants, and ineffectiveness.Police feel, however, the program has kept marijuana growers in check, said Lt. Henry Tavares Jr. of the Vice Division."Because the number of plants has remained constant throughout the years, we have control over the problem," he said. "Obviously we will never eliminate the problem, but we feel as if we have control over it."The loss of federal money will change that, he said. "Without the grant, I expect the marijuana market to be flooded," he said. "Availability will increase. The numbers in the school will increase. There will be more widespread use in general." And Tavares expects more public complaint that the eradication efforts are taking officers away from investigating hard drugs.Marijuana advocate Roger Christie said his group is continuing full speed ahead with impeachment, but that didn't stop him from celebrating the return of the grant."It's harvest time now, so this is the perfect time for this thing to have happened. Marijuana eradication and prohibition is on thin ice and it's global warming time," he cheered.Christie said the hampered eradication program will be good for the county. "I think the economy will start coming back here," he said. Other perceived benefits are decrease in hard drug consumption, alcohol use and domestic abuse.There will also be an "increase in the people's right to privacy and the quiet enjoyment of their property, an increase in music and the social and cultural atmosphere, and the hope for a glorious future," he said.Councilman Aaron Chung concedes that more marijuana on the market could mean more cash flowing through the island, which could help the economy. "I'm still hoping for the best," he said. "Maybe the eradication opponents are correct. It might be a good thing for the community."But Chung fears other consequences of a diminished eradication program, particularly growers using booby traps and terroristic measures to protect their crops. Since police will have to search for plants on the ground instead of by air, marijuana growers may try to protect their crops with hidden traps and guns, he said. "I just don't want to revisit the horrible time we had in the '70s," he said.Chung doesn't support drug use of any kind. "I believe marijuana is the gateway drug," he said.Note: A federal grant is returned amid lawmakers' fears of possible impeachment.Published: September 1, 2000Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)Copyright: 2000 Honolulu Star-BulletinContact: letters starbulletin.comAddress: P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802Fax: (808) 523-8509Website: http://www.starbulletin.com/Feedback: http://starbulletin.com/forms/letterform.htmlRelated Articles:Committee Approves Eradication Fundshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6329.shtmlCannabisNews Articles On Hawaii:http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Hawaii
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Comment #8 posted by freedom fighter on September 03, 2000 at 08:49:53 PT
Can someone explain
what impeachment? Maybe Roger can explain it.This is really a good news. We all need this!The next step would be to legalize the herb so Chung can stop using this as an excuse.*But Chung fears other consequences of a diminished eradication program, particularly growers using booby traps and terroristic measures to protect their crops. Since police will have to search for plants on the ground instead of by air, marijuana growers may try to protect their crops with hidden traps and guns, he said. "I just don't want to revisit the horrible time we had in the '70s," he said.*Peace\/
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Comment #7 posted by Roger Christie on September 03, 2000 at 04:20:11 PT:
"RETURN TO SENDER!"
Hello Friends,Smoke-rings of aloha to you all... Breathe deeply and inhale the fresh, smokey herb we send your way from tropical shores. This is a tale of spirit... a - from God/dess, or 'The Great-You-Name-It'lo - through my heartha - from my breath to youAloha from Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai'i. After almost a full month of rain, the news and the weather have changed for the better here. A lot better! Thanks for posting & reading the article about our success in getting a large, annual, federal marijuana eradication grant sent BACK to D.E.A. headquarters in Washington, D.C. marked... "RETURN TO SENDER!"  :-) Thanks, but NO THANKS. ***********************************************************Special insert to Gen. Barry McCaffreyDear General,Aloha. Please convey to your father, who I understand encouraged you to take the job of "Drug Czar", that you have finally been told to take a marijuana eradication grant and shove it! Got it? Your mission is over... In my opinion, you have personally done more damage to the people and the ecology of the U.S.A., and all too many other nations, than any terrorist in the world has dared to dream. A critical, thorough, independant program review of the policy of drug prohibition during your tenure in office will show 'un-intended consequences' so great that you, Sir, and your Commander in Chief, will finally be forced to acknowledge your own guilt. You will be forced by your own conscience to publically ask the nation's forgiveness for your misguided and harmful actions, and you will sincerely pray that we, and your God, grant it to you. You, Sir, ARE the terrorist we need to subdue. Forget Osama Bin Laden, you General McCaffrey, and your policy of extreme prohibition, mandatory sentencing and zero-tolerance, cause more crime and violence daily in America than the F.B.I.'s 100 most wanted... combined!Your command in the Gulf War caused the needless deaths of untold thousands of unarmed Iraqis, slaughtered while surrendering. And, revealed just today on the Drudge Report, www.drudgereport.com, the "friendly fire" deaths and Gulf War Syndrome of thousands of your best troops from depleted uranium in your own artillery shells. This tragedy is now squarely on your conscience, also. "On your watch, Sir." While you were in command...   Quit now. Retire immediately and get treatment for yourself. Detox from 30 years as a professional hired killer. We will understand. Come to Hawai'i where we have legal, religious and medical cannabis. Where we have clean water and lots of sunshine. I am a Hawaii State Department of Health licensed "Cannabis Sacrament Minister", No. 00-313. As a service to my country I hereby volunteer to be your cannabis practitioner/counselor and care-giver. I will do my best to guide you into optimal, sustainable mental, physical and spiritual health. The entire world, including you and your family, will breathe a collective sigh of relief the second your "watch" is over. Go home now, Barry. Make love, not war. Aloha,Roger Christie808 961-0488  ******************************************Give thanks and praises for this prayer made manifest. In my opinion, high and positive intention, continuous visualization of the desired outcome, and a perpetual 'attitude of gratitude' along the way, have helped to make this drug war victory happen for us.It is my desire to create a 'template', or 'formula' for you to adopt in your own hometown for similar, or better results. Follow the money and cut it off at your local government level. Hold elected officials accountable for the harm done locally by the marijuana eradication program they support.All the very best to you and yours,       Roger     
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Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on September 02, 2000 at 11:28:16 PT:
Some facts, please
Some more instances of antis are 'skating on thin ice'... especially when it comes to the facts."Because the number of plants has remained constant throughout the years, we have control over the problem," he said. "Obviously we will never eliminate the problem, but we feel as if we have control over it."He 'feels'. Feels. Not 'knows'. Not can factually prove. Feels.Chung doesn't support drug use of any kind. "I believe marijuana is the gateway drug," he said.Aside from Mr. Chung's (as well as a great many antis) seemingly perpetual ignorance of the IoM reports conclusion regarding the gateway myth, he seems unable to provide anything more beyong a vague 'belief' for his stance.Part of the reason why we will eventually win is simply the fact that we have access to the facts the antis would prefer didn't exist. And that they so assiduously ignore.
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Comment #5 posted by legalizeit on September 02, 2000 at 11:06:57 PT
Typical politician hypocrisy
>Councilman Aaron Chung concedes that more marijuana on the market could mean more cash flowing through the island,which could help the economy. "I'm still hoping for the best," he said. "Maybe the eradication opponents are correct. It might be a good thing for the community."But...>Chung doesn't support drug use of any kind. "I believe marijuana is the gateway drug," he said.Yeah, while he sips his tonic & gin and smokes a cigarette, I'll bet."It's harvest time now, so this is the perfect time for this thing to have happened. Marijuana eradication and prohibition is on thin ice and it's global warming time," [Roger Christie] cheered.Well said!!
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 02, 2000 at 11:02:01 PT
Heres the main page of the series I forgot to post
Chasing Smoke: Hawaii's 24 Year War on Pot http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/pot/index.html
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 02, 2000 at 10:52:33 PT
Look what I found!
Hi Everyone!This is good news! I remembered the series they did on eradication and I thought you all might want to check it out if you missed it!Peace, FoM!Chasing Smoke - Hawaii's 24 Year War on Pot http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/pot/pot10.htmlRelated Articles in Series:Chasing Smoke - Hawaii's 24 Year War on Pot - Day 1http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread5267.shtml Chasing Smoke: Hawaii's 24 Year War On Pot - Day 2http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread5272.shtmlChasing Smoke: Hawaii's 24 Year War on Pot - Day 3 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread5284.shtmlChasing Smoke: Hawaii's 24 Year War on Pot - Day 4http://cannabisnews.com/news/5/thread5291.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by Rainbow on September 02, 2000 at 09:59:42 PT
Hawaii here I come
This is Cool.
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Comment #1 posted by Thomas on September 02, 2000 at 09:59:32 PT
Activism Works!!
This development really demonstrates how activism can influence policy decisions. As for the insurance policy clause, it was obvious from the start that no insurance company in thier right mind would write a policy for the council. It did serve to help the council appear to be pro-eradication minded, but thier hands were tied. They still think going lighter on the herb would be political suicide.
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