SENATE EXPECTED TO APPROVE AMENDED MARIJUANA BILL

Hawaii's Legislature is one vote away from legalizing the medical use of
marijuana.

Leaders in the state Senate yesterday announced that the Senate Health
Committee would agree to amendments made in the bill by the state House.
The action clears the way for the Senate to vote, as early as today, to
approve the measure.

The bill cleared the Senate several weeks ago on a 13-12 vote.

But Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland yesterday predicted the bill would win final
approval in the Senate.

"It will be close; there is some objections in the Senate, but the House
bill handles many of the concerns," she said.

The bill is opposed by Hawaii's law enforcement community, which points out
that marijuana possession is against federal law and cannot be prescribed.

If the Senate does approve the bill, it is likely to be approved by Gov.
Ben Cayetano because he has been a strong proponent of using the drug for
those with serious or terminal illnesses.

Under the Hawaii plan, which is similar to the one adopted in Oregon,
authorized patients would have to grow their own marijuana.

Conditions that would allow marijuana to be prescribed include: cancer,
glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, chronic conditions such as epileptic seizures, or
muscle spasms characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease.