VOTERS MAY GET A CRACK AT POT PLAN

Lawmaker wants to let residents decide fate of marijuana
measure

Letting voters decide if marijuana enforcement should be the lowest
priority of Big Island police is still the aim of one County Council
member, even though a recent petition drive to do so failed.

"It's time to let the people decide (the marijuana issue)," Hawaii
County Councilman Bob Jacobson said during a phone interview Tuesday
night.

The Project Peaceful Sky petition drive needed the signatures of 4,848
registered voters but fell short by more than 2,500 signatures,
election administrator Pat Nakamoto said. The petition would have put
the issue before county voters in November.

Though the petition drive failed, the County Council can still put the
issue on the ballot if it acts swiftly.

Jacobson said he plans to start the ball rolling when the council
meets Aug. 13 in Keauhou. He said he plans to introduce a resolution
essentially adopting the language of the petition and ask fellow
council members to put it on the ballot.

The proposed ordinance would leave the enforcement of laws against
marijuana to each police officer's personal discretion, and would
direct the County Council not to accept state or federal funds for
marijuana eradication.

The debate over enforcement of marijuana laws has gone on for years,
said Jacobson, who represents Upper Puna, Ka'u and part of South Kona.
Instead of continuing the debate, he said he wants the council to put
the question to the voters.

"Maybe the people like to have a failed drug war and they like
criminalizing a lot of young people. Maybe they do. But at least we'll
know," Jacobson said.

Due to the time crunch before the November election, Jacobson's
measure would need to have its first reading during the Aug. 13
council meeting, County Clerk Jarman said.

To get it on the ballot, the county elections office needs to provide
the measure to the state Office of General Elections by Sept. 5.

In order to have that first reading on Aug. 13, Jacobson said, the
committee hearing on the bill would have to be waived.

Council members know where they stand on the issue, Jacobson said,
noting that the issue has been at the forefront of public debate for a
long time.

"Maybe we can skip this one meeting," Jacobson said.

Another option would be for the council to adopt the petition
language, approve it on the first and second reading, and send it to
the mayor. If not vetoed by the mayor, it would become law, Jarman
said.