ANTIQUATED POT LAW

In regards to the article "Medical pot users sigh in relief" (March
22, Tribune-Herald), it is true that nationally a major victory
protecting medical cannabis patients has been won. The federal
government will no longer prosecute patients in those states which
permit the use of cannabis medicinally.

Obama's new policy has little effect here because Hawaii does not have
dispensaries and drug violations are prosecuted at the state level.

However, the ruling does give the green light for our legislators and
governor to consider changes in Hawaii's antiquated medical cannabis
law, which has no provision for a secure distribution system.

Presently, cannabis patients must obtain their medicine from the black
market where there is no guarantee that the product is of high quality
and organic. No civilized society would allow people who suffer from
serious illnesses such as cancer, AIDS or multiple sclerosis to place
their lives in jeopardy in order to ease the pain.

A program that would work would be to allow patients to form small
collectives where one qualified caregiver would grow the plants for a
small number of patients.

Patients more often than not cannot grow because they lack space, have
an unsecured backyard or live in public housing.

They may, also, be too sick to tend to plants. One caregiver growing
for a group of patients in a secure environment would be a great
improvement over the current one caregiver to one patient rule.

I urge you to contact your state senator and representative and ask
them to support legislation during the current legislative session
that will improve the quality of life for medical cannabis patients
here. There are more than 2,000 patients here who need your help.

Andrea Tischler

Coordinator, Americans for Safe Access, -Big Island Chapter