SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CASE

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Supreme Court said yesterday it would decide
whether the government has the power to prevent sick patients from
using marijuana with a doctor's recommendation.

The California case tests whether the federal government -- which
maintains there is no medical benefit to marijuana -- can block sick
patients from using cannabis and prosecute them or their suppliers.

The case began after several raids on California medical marijuana
clubs and individual growers over the past few years.

The case also affects Hawai'i, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Maine,
Nevada, Oregon and Washington state. They have medical marijuana laws
similar to California's allowing patients to grow, use or receive
marijuana if they have a doctor's recommendation.

The number of people participating in Hawai'i's medical marijuana
program has been climbing, said state Narcotics Enforcement Division
administrator Keith Kamita, who oversees the program.

In June 2001 -- about six months after the state began accepting
applications -- only 255 patients participated and 35 physicians
participated in the program, Kamita said. Now there are 1,514 patients
and 99 physicians participating, he said.

The Big Island has the most patients, with 795. Following are Kaua'i
with 324, O'ahu at 214, Maui with 168, Ni'ihau with six, Moloka'i with
five and Lana'i with two.

Under the Hawai'i law, only patients with a "debilitating medical
condition" -- such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS or other chronic
conditions that cause severe pain, nausea or seizures -- can possess
and grow marijuana for medical purposes.

The law requires physicians to submit an application to the narcotics
division, explaining why a patient wants to use marijuana.

Patients also need an annual statement from a physician to qualify for
the program.

Patients are limited to three mature marijuana plants, four immature
marijuana plants and one ounce of usable marijuana per mature plant