VOTERS FACE SEVEN BALLOT QUESTIONS ON ELECTION DAY

Proposed amendment by Initiative to the Hawaii County
Code

"Should the Hawaii County Code be amended to add a new article that
would be titled and known as the 'Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of
Cannabis Ordinance,' which would, 1. direct the county to make law
enforcement related to marijuana offenses, when the cannabis is only
intended for adult personal use, their lowest law enforcement
priority; 2. define 'adult personal use' to include the use of
cannabis on private property only by persons 21 years of age or older;
3. prevent county law enforcement officials from accepting
deputizations or commissions from a federal law enforcement agency for
purposes of investigating, citing, or arresting citizens or searching
or seizing their property if doing so is inconsistent with the lowest
law enforcement priority of cannabis ordinance; 4. prohibit the Hawaii
County Council from authorizing the acceptance of or issuing funding
to be used to investigate, cite, arrest, prosecute, search or seize
property from adults when doing so would be inconsistent with the
lowest law enforcement priority for cannabis policy; 5. and direct the
County Council not to support the acceptance of any funds for the
marijuana eradication program?"

Backed by a group known as Project Peaceful Skies, this law would
essentially prohibit outside funding of marijuana enforcement,
including green harvests which rely heavily upon helicopters.

Supporters say it would allow law enforcement officers to concentrate
efforts on drugs such as crystal methamphetamine instead of adults 21
and older who use "cannabis" on private property for personal,
religious or medicinal purposes.

"The National Institute for Drug Abuse has determined that eradication
does not stop cultivation," said Adam Lehmann, campaign manager for
Project Peaceful Sky. "It only increases the street value, which
increases crime."

However, Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna said it is rare that someone
arrested solely for a marijuana offense possesses small amounts of the
drug.

"You don't get the complete picture with this proposal," said Mahuna.
"Those who are busted usually have large amounts of marijuana, which
is being used to make money or barter for other drugs."

Mahuna said about a third of the money flowing up through the chain of
dealers eventually lands in the hands of international terrorists.

"We will comply with state laws regarding medicinal use," said Mahuna,
adding that even those with licenses usually have much more marijuana
than allowed. "But to condone this would not be in best interests of
our citizens, or the country."

Hoffmann said he is personally against the amendment, but he also has
no problem with putting it on the ballot.

"I believe the public will see this as what it is, vote against it and
it will put this issue to rest," said Hoffmann.