Pubdate: Tue, 09 Sep 2014
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2014 Star Advertiser
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154
Author: B.J. Reyes
Page: A1

POT PATIENTS LACK ACCESS TO MEDICINE, STATE FINDS

A Report to the Legislature Details Obstacles to Care Caused by the 
Lack of Dispensaries

Despite being among the first states to approve the use of medical 
marijuana, certified patients in Hawaii still face challenges tied to 
access and transporting the drug in the isles, according to a new 
report to the state Legislature.

The Legislative Reference Bureau report is to be presented Tuesday at 
a meeting of the Medical Marijuana Dispensary System Task Force, a 
working group convened by the Legislature to make recommendations for 
establishing a dispensary system for marijuana in Hawaii.

Rep. Della Au Belatti (D, Moiliili-Makiki-Tantalus), chairwoman of 
the House Health Committee and a member of the task force, said the 
report provides the working group with a touchstone to see what other 
states are doing and how Hawaii compares.

"I didn't see anything surprising, but I think it's useful as a 
discussion point for the community," said Belatti. "As we make 
decisions moving forward with what a dispensary system might look 
like, it's a good starting point, a good reference point." During its 
first meeting, held in June, the 21-member task force, along with 
patients, doctors and caregivers, discussed obstacles faced by those 
who may legally use marijuana to treat chronic, debilitating medical 
conditions.

Under Hawaii law, patients who suffer from medical conditions that 
may be treated with marijuana must be certified by a doctor and 
undergo orientation to obtain a user identification card that must be 
carried at all times. Qualified patients may possess up to three 
mature marijuana plants, four immature plants and 1 ounce of usable 
marijuana per each mature plant.

In January the program's oversight will shift to the Department of 
Health from the Department of Public Safety, and the definition of 
"adequate supply" will change to seven marijuana plants, whether 
immature or mature, and 4 ounces of usable marijuana.

The report echoes concerns from patients and caregivers who maintain 
that the law says nothing on how the marijuana is to be obtained 
legally, other than to specify that it can be grown.

"Furthermore, while the state's medical marijuana program permits a 
qualifying patient and primary care giver to grow marijuana plants 
for the patient's medical use, the program does not supply marijuana 
seeds or plants, nor provide a source or means of obtaining them," 
the report states. "Nor does the program offer guidance on the 
cultivation of marijuana.

"Moreover, the sale of marijuana in any amount is strictly prohibited 
under state law. As a result, there is no place within the state 
where a person, even a qualifying patient with a valid registry 
identification certificate, can legally purchase marijuana," 
according to the report.

It goes on to point out that federal law forbids interstate 
transportation of medical marijuana, or transportation of medical 
marijuana through federal security checkpoints, complicating matters 
for many patients who might rely on commercial air travel to go 
between islands.

In 2000, Hawaii was the first state to pass legislation approving the 
use of medical marijuana. Seven other states had done so previously 
through ballot measures.

Hawaii is now among 22 states plus Washington, D.C., that have 
medical marijuana programs. Officials say 19 of those states have set 
up dispensary systems.

Dispensaries would be locations where patients or caregivers could go 
to obtain medical marijuana without hassle or fear of being stopped 
by law enforcement.

Task force members have two public meetings scheduled later this 
month, in Hilo and on Oahu, to solicit public comment.

"I think as we go out to Hilo and then to Oahu to gather public 
input, we're going to be further informed about the community's 
perspective on what a dispensary system should look like in Hawaii," 
Belatti said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom