cannabisnews.com: Privacy Safeguards Tied To Pot Raids 





Privacy Safeguards Tied To Pot Raids 
Posted by FoM on March 12, 2001 at 15:11:19 PT
By Jason Armstrong, Tribune-Herald
Source: Hawaii-Tribune Herald 
Big Island police may resume using helicopters to eradicate marijuana plants, provided they meet new restrictions designed to make the controversial "Green Harvest" program less intrusive. The regulations were added by the County Council as part of its 6-2 vote Friday to accept a $120,253 federal grant to pay for aerial raids.Marijuana advocate Dwight Kondo, one of the most persistent critics of the helicopter noise and privacy invasions, suggested the regulations, which others praised and one lawmaker called "historic."
Police will also start working with the state Health Department and Attorney General to "develop a plan where a portion of the confiscated marijuana can be set aside for medical-marijuana use."The provision was proposed by Puna Councilman Gary Safarik, who said he wants doctors, rather than police, to distribute the marijuana.Capt. James Day did not object to the distribution requirement during his appearance before the council. However, Day questioned another provision requiring police to develop rules regarding the use and possession of marijuana for medical or religious purposes. The rules are intended to account for certain marijuana users who are protected from prosecution, North Kona Council Curtis Tyler said.A consistent opponent of accepting money to pay for helicopter raids, Tyler said the new safeguards made him feel comfortable about supporting the program for the first time in his four-plus year tenure."This is what the public's been asking for for a long time," he said.Another provision bars police from doing aerial spraying, a technique they maintain only the state uses in its efforts to kill illegal marijuana plants.Also, all rapelling must be at least 500 feet from any residence and flights less than 1,000 feet above a home "shall be restricted unless probable cause exists," according to the terms of the funding resolution.The final condition requires police, within 30 days after each eradication mission, to give the council a report detailing the number of confiscated plants and the area of the raids. The reports must include the number of public complaints and what was done to resolve them.To be eligible for the grant, the county will have to provide a $40,084 match, which can be in the form of manpower. Nearly $118,000 of the total will be used to rent private helicopters at $650 per hour each, according to the Police Department's proposal.Lawmakers last year rejected a similar, $265,000 grant because they could not find insurance to defend them against an impeachment threat. The county's aerial-eradication efforts were suspended as a result of the council's action.Marijuana advocate Roger Christie, who previously petitioned for the removal of lawmakers who supported "Green Harvest" funding, told the Tribune-Herald that he will not file a new impeachment petition solely because of the new regulations.Christie added the biggest change is what he sees as an exemption permitting authorized use for medical or religious purposes. Program opponent and Ka"u Councilwoman Julie Jacobson called the new regulations "historic," yet again voted against accepting the money because she feels it should be used for drug treatment rather than marijuana eradication.Jacobson was joined by South Kona Councilwoman Nancy Pisicchio, who cast the other opposing vote. Pisicchio said the money could be best spent to combat the use of crystal methamphetamine or "ice."Chairman James Arakaki left the meeting before the vote was taken.Newshawk: Rev. Dennis ShieldsSource: Hawaii-Tribune Herald Author: Jason Armstrong, Tribune-HeraldPublished: March 11, 2001Copyright: 2001 Hawaii-Tribune Herald Address: P.O. Box 767, Hilo, Hawaii 96721Contact: editor hawaiitribune-herald.comWebsite: http://www.hilohawaiitribune.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Drug Policy Forum Of Hawaii: http://www.drugsense.org/dpfhi/Hawaii Medical Marijuana Institute: http://www.medijuana.com/Dennis Shield's Home Page: http://www.hialoha.com/konagold/church/index.htmlHawaii County Agrees To New Rules: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8958.shtmlPot Eradication Methods Draw Protest: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8024.shtmlChasing Smoke - Hawaii's 24 Year War on Pot: http://honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/pot/index.html 
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