(Marijuananews note: When a successful
politician does something like this, it means a major break in the taboo. When the sky
does not fall, lots of Chicken-Littles may find their courage.Cayetano, a Democrat, has
already endorsed hemp cultivation. )
See
Hawaiian Governor
Supports Legalizing Industrial Hemp; Says He Sometimes Wears Hemp Shirt
and
60 Percent Of
Hawaiians Support Hemp Cultivation And Medical Marijuana; Only 20 Percent "Strongly
Opposed."
December 12, 1998
From the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
letters@starbulletin.com
http://www.starbulletin.com/98/12/12/news/story3.html
CAYETANO BACKS MEDICINAL MARIJUANA
The Governor Will Propose That State Lawmakers Approve The Legislation At Their Next
Session
Gov. Ben Cayetano will push for a law legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal
purposes.
The governor said he would propose a bill when the Legislature convenes next month to
make it legal for people to use marijuana if they have a legitimate medical reason to do
so.
A similar bill was introduced last legislative session, but it died.
See
Hawaiian House
Health Committee Isn’t Ready To Ask Congress To Allow Doctors To Prescribe Marijuana.
"I will introduce a bill at the state Legislature to look into if it is feasible
for Hawaii," the governor said Thursday night.
Voters in California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington have voted to allow seriously ill
people, like those with cancer or AIDS, to be allowed to buy and use marijuana without
fear of criminal prosecution.
The state needs to be a leader in the issue if it hopes to become
a health and wellness center for the Pacific, Cayetano said.
"We need to be at the forefront of treatment," he said.
Cayetano downplayed criticism that opposes legalizing use of the drug, saying it’s
being used throughout the world.
Glenn Robinette is glad the governor is getting involved in the issue. He has been
ingesting marijuana for 10 years, since a car accident left him with a severe spinal cord
injury. He said he always worries that one day he will be arrested for using the illegal
weed.
"You wonder when you are going to be arrested for this," he said.
Copyright: 1998 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
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