Big Island Report

MARIJUANA BILLS ARE UP IN SMOKE

Several marijuana bills went up in smoke this past legislative
session, a disappointment to marijuana advocates who had been
encouraged by bills that would have increased allowable possession of
medical marijuana, helped establish medical marijuana farms and
defined the role of doctors in medical marijuana certification, among
other measures.

Senate Bill 905, regarded as the single piece of legislation with the
best chance of becoming law, would have raised the "adequate supply"
definition to seven plants and three ounces of usable marijuana and
established a committee with the power to add other medical
conditions to those that qualify for medical marijuana treatment.

The bill crossed over from the Senate but died in House committees.

"It's so disheartening," said longtime marijuana advocate Roger
Christie. "I don't see the blessing in it right now. We have a
prejudice, a mental log jam in law enforcement."