WHEN POT IS MEDICINE

State law allows registered cannabis patients to transport cannabis
for medical use, as stated in a manual by the state Narcotics
Enforcement Division. Yet, a registered patient was found guilty of
trying to board a plane from Kona to Honolulu with two grams of
cannabis ("Medical marijuana patient convicted," Tribune-Herald, Jan.
21) and fined $330.

This begs the question: Why have a law if it is to be ignored?

The absurdity of the case and pettiness for the amount of cannabis
would be laughable were it not for the legal nightmare and stress
that the patient is being subjected to.

This is another example of how cannabis patients are treated as
second class citizens. The practice needs to end, immediately.

Americans for Safe Access will continue to lobby to update antiquated
medical marijuana laws and hopes that during this session, state
legislators will affirm that patients have the right to transport
their medicine when traveling for treatment between islands.

Another overdue legislative bill relates to establishing dispensaries
for the more than 8,000 Hawaii registered patients. Many patients are
forced to buy from drug dealers, placing them in vulnerable,
frequently dangerous situations. It is essential that patients have
safe access to medicinal grade cannabis. Dispensaries, which will be
state regulated and pay sales taxes, will pump needed revenues into
state coffers. A win-win.

I am optimistic that the legislators working with a receptive
governor this year will make the decisions that address medical
cannabis patients' needs, and that the harsh injustice and punishment
delivered in the past will be just that.

Andrea Tischler

Americans for Safe Access, Big Island chapter