UH STUDENT SEEKS COMMENTS

Terri Hurst is looking for anyone who has had experience, concerns or
problems with the state's medical marijuana law.

Hurst is studying the program for a master's degree in social work at the
University of Hawaii.

"In the past two weeks, I realized, wow, this is hopefully going to be a lot
bigger than I expected," Hurst said.

Hurst earned a bachelor's degree in sociology at Fort Lewis College in
Durango, Colo., and has been in Hawaii for three years working as a
residential counselor for Child and Family Service.

She said she's interested in the contradictions between the state and
federal law regarding use of marijuana for medicinal purposes: "State law
says it's legal; federal law says it's illegal," she said.

She wants to see how quality of life has been affected by the program,
either positively or adversely.

She's interviewing as many patients as she can through March, as well as
state Narcotics Enforcement Chief Keith Kamita, police officials and
doctors, she said.

"Doctors are the hardest population to reach," she said. "It's unfortunate
because I feel physicians are the ones who really help to keep the program
going."

Hurst's research is expected to help guide proposed changes in the law by
the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.

She can be reached at 384-4765.