KAUAI POLICE IGNORING THE FACTS

"Never let the facts stand in the way," could be the slogan for
Kauai's law-enforcement rally tomorrow against pending marijuana bills
in the Legislature.

One of those bills would decriminalize possession of one ounce or
less. The police and prosecutors are ignoring projections, in the bill
itself, that Hawaii could save more than $6 million annually in
enforcement and court costs. Decriminalizing pot would prevent young
people from getting criminal records. And most important, the history
in the 13 other decriminalization states show no increase in use.

Another bill they oppose would establish a dispensary system to
provide safe access to their medicine for the 8,000 patients
registered with the state Department of Public Safety to use the
medical marijuana program. We have a chance to design dispensaries
correctly from scratch. This is the No. 1 change that patients are
asking for; they want to be in compliance with the law.

Pamela G. Lichty

President, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii