MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION REQUEST VOTED DOWN, 7-2

A Hawai'i County Council committee on Tuesday voted 7-2 against a
resolution asking the state Legislature to decriminalize marijuana,
the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.

Councilman Kelly Greenwell, the measure's sponsor, and Emily Naeole
Beason voted for the resolution.

The Legislature cannot actually decriminalize marijuana, because the
drug is regulated by state and federal laws. But Greenwell said he
hoped an affirmative vote by the council would put pressure on the
Legislature to ease regulation of the drug.

The resolution now moves to the full council with a negative
recommendation.

The first 20 people who spoke at a council meeting prior to the vote
all opposed the North Kona councilman's resolution, warning that the
council would send a terrible message to the youth of the island by
approving it.

"Marijuana is illegal, harmful, addictive, damaging, and it is a
destructive force in our community," county Prosecutor Jay Kimura said.

He was backed by a group of red-shirted schoolchildren. Testifying
from Kona, members of the Youth Crime Watch of Kealakehe urged the
lawmakers to set good examples for them.