Pot Dispensaries

LAW ENFORCEMENT SPREADS PROPAGANDA

It is no coincidence that law enforcement is mounting a propaganda
campaign to convince Hawai'i legislators and the public that opening
medical marijuana dispensaries is a bad idea ("L.A. police say
marijuana dispensaries a failed idea," March 19). This is the first
year amendments to Hawai'i's 10year old medical marijuana law have
progressed in the Legislature.

Opening dispensaries to provide registered patients with safe and
legal access to marijuana was the number one recommendation of the
Medical Cannabis Working Group. Our law permits qualifying patients to
use this medical herb without providing a legal supply - thus forcing
patients to go the black market to obtain their medicine.

Hawai'i has the opportunity to design a program from scratch using the
best models available to serve patients' needs and potentially provide
revenue to the state and counties from tightly regulated sales.

We are disappointed that California flew in three officers from Los
Angeles to Maui and O'ahu for a one-sided "update" excluding all
proponents. Instead of listening to scare stories about the problems
in L.A., stemming from lack of regulation, Hawai'i law enforcement
officials should be working with us on drafting fair and workable
rules for the proposed compassion centers.

Pamela Lichty

Co-chair, Medical Cannabis Working Group, and president, Drug Policy
Forum of Hawai'i