MEDICAL CANNABIS ENTERS NEW ERA

Thank you for your Oct. 21 editorial urging legislators to compel the
governor "to accept a system for patients to gain access to marijuana
without having to do business with illegal drug dealers" ("Put state
pot law to use," Star-Bulletin).

The governor's continuing opposition has prevented legislators from
revising Hawaii's 9-year-old medical cannabis law and better serving
seriously ill constituents.

Now that the Obama administration is honoring the autonomy of the 14
states that have legalized medical use of cannabis, we hope that 2010
will see legislators and the governor working together to ensure that
Hawaii's program fulfills the original intent of the law: to serve
sick and dying patients in Hawaii.

A Medical Cannabis Working Group, consisting of patients, physicians,
caregivers and advocacy organizations, will make recommendations to
the Legislature to improve the program. The public is invited to the
Medical Cannabis Talk Story at room 329 of the state Capitol on
Tuesday from 6:30-8 p.m.

Pamela Lichty and Laurie Temple Co-chairs, Medical Cannabis Working Group