MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW MUST NOT BE ABUSED

The confusion surrounding Hawai`i's new medical marijuana law is
understandable, but not all that great of a problem.

For the moment, Hawai`i is in a paradoxical position: With specific
certification from a doctor, it is now possible for patients to legally use
marijuana in the treatment of certain medical conditions. However, it is
still illegal under state and federal law to grow or sell marijuana.

Those who think the medical marijuana law has opened the door for much
broader use of the stuff for recreational purposes will find themselves
disappointed. It is quite clear that law enforcement will treat the
recreational use or sale of marijuana as it does today.

But it is also fairly clear that law enforcement has no particular interest
in going after patients who are using the substance legitimately, under a
doctor's supervision, for specific purposes.

Consider this analogy: It is illegal to grow opium or to make or sell opium
or heroin. Yet medically analogous substances such as morphine are
regularly used in medicine and for the treatment of pain.

Legitimate sources of marijuana will be developed and a system of
distribution will evolve over time. The Legislature will have to go back
into this issue next year and clarify the apparent contradiction in the law.

In the meantime, if this very narrow exemption to the prohibition on the
use of marijuana is abused, it is equally obvious that the Legislature will
be swift to act.

Gov. Ben Cayetano, an advocate of the medical marijuana law, put it best:

"If the law is abused, I won't be surprised if there is a legislative move
to repeal it," he said.

There is a legitimate - if rather narrow - place for the use of marijuana
in certain treatment regimes. It would be a shame if that opportunity is
lost because a compassionate law was misused.