HEARING TO DISCUSS RULES ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Although a medical marijuana law was enacted this past legislative
session, rules governing its use by cancer patients and others who
would find it useful must first be put in place.

The Department of Public Safety has scheduled a public hearing Nov. 22
to seek comment on proposed administrative rules to carry out the law.

Pamela Lichty of the Drug Policy Forum will be watching that the rules
do not become stricter than the intended law.

"We want to see that it mirrors the spirit and the letter of the law,
but it doesn't have restrictions that are not in the legislation,"
Lichty said.

Scott Foster, who procured marijuana for his wife while she underwent
chemotherapy, said, "We've got to be certain that these rules allow
the laws to function as we intended, that is, to allow the patient to
access and use it with the least hassle."

Foster recalls how afraid he was of arrest when trying to get
marijuana.

Lichty said last night she had not seen the proposed
rules.

How will it work?

Lichty said the law is similar to the one in Oregon, where a person
would get a recommendation from a doctor and patients must show
registration or a certificate of legal use.

Police would be able to check for verification because often, it is
difficult to tell if a person is sick or not, Lichty said.

Lichty, also president of the American Civil Liberties Union of
Hawaii, said that in other states, patients have not been abusing
marijuana and arrests have not been made.

ABOUT THE HEARING

The public hearing on rules governing medical use of marijuana will be
held:

Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon

Date: Nov. 22

Where: State Capitol, Basement Auditorium, 415 S. Beretania St.

Rules: A copy of the rules may be picked up from the Department of
Public Safety weekdays 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A copy of the proposed
rules also is available by calling 587-1414 or faxing 587-1244.

Written inquiries: Department of Public Safety, Attn: Office Services,
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 407, Honolulu 96814.

To testify: Anyone wishing to present oral testimony should sign up
and submit one copy of their testimony, in writing, at the time of the
hearing. Anyone wishing to submit written testimony should provide
five copies of the testimony within five business days before or at
the public hearing.

Call: Al Kim at 587-1414 for more information.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Residents can call toll-free:

Hawaii: 974-4374, ext 71414

Maui: 984-2044, ext 71414

Kauai: 274-3134, ext 71414

Molokai/Lanai: 1-800-468-4644, ext 71414