LOLO LAWS

Public initiative would allow Maui County farmers to grow medical
marijuana.

In 2000, Hawaii state legislature recognized the medicinal benefits of
marijuana and enacted SB 862 to approve the use of medical marijuana,
though the law lacks the proper language on how to acquire the
medicinal herb.

Democracy In Action (DIA), and Patients Without Time (PWT) are two
organizations stoking a county initiative to gather 8,000 signatures
by April 20. The initiative is called Maui County Family Farmer
Regulation and Revenue Ordinance and would help clarify SB 862, as
well as establish the supply, delivery, and regulations of medical
marijuana in Maui County.

Iggy, a lawfully-registered medicinal marijuana patient, had
enforcement helicopters hover over his family home for 45 minutes.
Police then confiscated his garden. He was able to provide the legal
information to law enforcement, which offered an apology and handed
him back his plants. However, the plants were all dead.

"Medical marijuana patients have become targets for law enforcement,"
Iggy said. "It doesn't violate state law. Do they want me to acquire
it through the black market?"

"This initiative provides transparency for local law enforcement so
patients are not treated like criminals, and it promotes agriculture
by tapping into ag. zoned lands to grow this medicine," Iggy added.

In today's world there are many health issues and thousands of
prescription pharmaceuticals available to help people cope with pain
and suffering. The federal government regulates these drugs, whose
manufacturers are among the largest lobbyists and campaign donors in
the United States.

Since 1998, pharmaceutical companies have spent $758 million on
lobbying efforts, more than any other industry, according to the
Center for Public Integrity. The pharmaceutical industry in 2003 spent
$143 million on lobbying activities. At that time, there were 1,274
registered pharmaceutical lobbyists in Washington, D.C., more than two
for every member of Congress, USA Today reports. Of those, 476 were
former federal officials, including 40 former members of Congress.

The federal government classifies marijuana as a schedule I drug,
having no medical value. Marijuana users are filling up private
prisons due to ex-President Ronald Reagan's mandatory minimum
sentencing established in 1986.

More than 80 percent of the increase in the federal prison population
from 1985 to 1995 is due to low-level drug convictions.

"The only peaceful solution is to vote back America," said Brian
Murphy, director of DIA and PWT, addressing his use of the public
initiative process.

DIA/PWT Molokai representative Gloria Molica-Dell believes this
initiative could really help family farmers on Molokai. A provision in
the initiative would put Hawaiian families with 70 years lineage in
Maui County at the top of the growers list.

This initiative would give Maui County residents the ability to vote
on this legislation, and allow family farmers within the county to
legally grow and supply doctor-authorized patients with medicinal marijuana.

"Compassion should always come first," said Murphy, who is also a
disabled United States Veteran.

DIA/PWT is also registering people to vote with registration available
at their booth. Molica-Dell will be gathering signatures, registering
voters, and providing information at Molokai's Saturday market for the
next two weeks.

Additional information can be found at info@mccfdia.com