MARIJUANA PATIENT ARRESTED ON MAUI

Man Suspected Of Exceeding Legal Number Of Plants, Selling
Drug

MAKAWAO, Maui -- A 61-year-old medical marijuana patient was arrested
Feb. 11 on several drug charges.

Police said the man was in possession of more than the permitted
number of marijuana plants and was allegedly selling marijuana for
profit.

Vice officers discovered an indoor marijuana growing setup on the
suspect's Makawao property, along with 12 mature marijuana plants and
an ounce of processed marijuana, according to Capt. Gerald Matsunaga,
commander of the Maui Police Department's Vice Division.

Also seized were ventilation and lighting systems for indoor plants,
a food-sealing machine, drug notes and other drug
paraphernalia.

The man, who holds a state-issued medical marijuana permit, was
released. Matsunaga said the case will be referred to the county
prosecutor's office for possible prosecution on charges of commercial
promotion of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and
promotion of harmful drugs.

Hawai'i's medical marijuana law allows certified patients to keep
three mature plants, four young plants and an ounce of marijuana for
each mature plant.

In November, seven men involved in a medical marijuana advocacy group
in Pa'ia were arrested on suspicion of running a drug-trafficking
ring. The group admits selling or giving away marijuana to patients
who might not otherwise be able to obtain it.

Maui police have said they are not targeting patients who comply with
the medical marijuana law. However, Matsunaga noted that selling
marijuana -- even for approved medical use -- is illegal under any
circumstances.