LAWMAKERS CONSIDER BILLS TO PERMIT USE OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL REASONS

Many Life Foundation clients use it to treat AIDS symptoms

Crime or compassion?

Those were the issues debated today as three legislative committees
considered bills to remove criminal penalties blocking medical use of
marijuana.

"I guess I'm here this morning to report a crime," said Paul S. Groesbeck,
executive director of the Life Foundation, Hawaii's largest AIDS program.
About one-third of the foundation's 500 active clients use marijuana to
treat AIDS symptoms, he told the House and Senate Health Committees and
House Public Safety Committee.

Groesbeck joined other groups and individuals in supporting legislation to
allow Hawaii doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes.

Among opponents are the Hawaii Medical Association, American Cancer
Society, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Hawaii Ophthalmological Society and
Hawaii County Police Department.

The HMA, American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health
advocate increased research into use of medical marijuana. "Physicians
cannot in good faith recommend a drug therapy without the clinical evidence
to back them up," HMA officials said.

Supporters of medical marijuana generally favor HB 1341, submitted by House
Health Chairman Alex Santiago, rather than HB 1157, proposed by the state
administration.

While commending Gov. Ben Cayetano for introducing legislation that would
allow the medical use of marijuana, supporters criticized his measure as
too restrictive.

It would require two physicians to approve marijuana for medical reasons;
it would limit use to someone with a severe or terminal illness, and it
would require the Department of Public Safety to create a confidential
registry of qualifying patients.

If passed, it "would only lead to constant wrangling and costly
litigation," said Donald Topping, president of the Drug Policy Forum of
Hawaii.

Pam Lichty, board member of the American Civil Liberties Union, who is on
the National ACLU board, also expressed concerns about the administrative
bill -- especially the elaborate registry procedures and involvement of
public safety officials.

Lichty and Topping agreed with former Rep. David Tarnas who emphasized,
"This is a health issue -- not a public safety issue. Registries don't
work. Allow physicians to do their job." State Health Director Bruce
Anderson, noting other states are taking action to allow medical marijuana,
said "Hawaii should be equally compassionate."

Among conditions for which it has been approved in other states, he said,
are cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, seizure and spasticity disorders, severe
pain and nausea.

Hawaii County Police Chief Wayne Carvalho said both bills, as currently
written, "would not only allow, but encourage widespread abuse of legalized
medical use of marijuana." Medical Oncologist Reginald C.S. Ho said he
opposes legalizing marijuana for medical use for the same reason he would
appose any other new drug -- until it's proven safe and beneficial through
controlled research clinical trials.