FIRST CANDIDATE FILES IN GOVERNOR'S RACE

Jonathan Adler, an outspoken advocate of marijuana use for medical and
religious reasons, became the first candidate to officially file
nomination papers to run for governor yesterday, at the County
Building in Hilo.

Adler, 49, said he picked April 1 to file "to show the foolishness of
politics, and the fact that the real choice is becoming more obvious
every day -- to get politics out of government."

Adler, who lives in Kea'au in Lower Puna on the Big Island, said he is
running as a member of the Natural Law Party. He has made several
unsuccessful attempts to run for office, including Big Island mayor in
1996 and 2000 and the County Council seat representing Puna.

Adler has argued for years that state law actually allows marijuana to
be used for medical or religious purposes. He has two criminal cases
pending against him, one charging marijuana possession, the other
charging distribution.

He is the executive director of the Hawai'i Medical Marijuana
Institute and has been owner of Big Island Steel since 1986.