Hawaiian Legislature Considers
Medical Marijuana
As Organized Medicine Continues to Support State Terrorism Against Their Patients;
Hawaii Catholic Conference Supports Persecution Of Sick And Dying
LAWMAKERS CONSIDER BILLS TO PERMIT USE OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL
REASONSFebruary 16, 1999
From The Honolulu Star-Bulletin
letters@starbulletin.com
http://www.starbulletin.com/
By Helen Altonn, Star-Bulletin
Many Life Foundation clients use it to treat AIDS symptoms
Crime or compassion?
See
60 Percent Of
Hawaiians Support Hemp Cultivation And Medical Marijuana;
Only 20 Percent "Strongly Opposed."
Those were the issues debated today as three legislative committees considered bills to
remove criminal penalties blocking medical use of marijuana.
"I guess I’m here this morning to report a crime,"
said Paul S. Groesbeck, executive director of the Life Foundation, Hawaii’s largest
AIDS program. About one-third of the foundation’s 500 active clients use marijuana to
treat AIDS symptoms, he told the House and Senate Health Committees and House Public
Safety Committee.
Groesbeck joined other groups and individuals in supporting legislation to allow Hawaii
doctors to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes.
Among opponents are the Hawaii Medical Association,
See
Hawaiian House
Panel Defers Action On Medical Marijuana -- State Medical Association Betrays Patients
American Cancer Society, Hawaii Catholic Conference, (Marijuananews
note: Jesus said that we should visit the sick, and people in prison. Following the lead
of the Catholic Conference, we could kill one bird with two stones, so to speak.)
the Hawaii Ophthalmological Society See
There Are None So
Blind As Ophthalmologists Who Don’t Want to See:
Marijuana, Glaucoma, Science And Journalism -- Analysis -- And 3 News Articles
and Hawaii County Police Department.
The HMA, American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health advocate
increased research into use of medical marijuana. "Physicians cannot in good faith
recommend a drug therapy without the clinical evidence to back them up," HMA
officials said.
(Marijuananews note: However, they can advocate the use of violence
against sick and dying patients whose suffering they cannot relieve. First, do no harm???)
Supporters of medical marijuana generally favor HB 1341, submitted by House Health
Chairman Alex Santiago, rather than HB 1157, proposed by the state administration.
While commending Gov. Ben Cayetano for introducing legislation
that would allow the medical use of marijuana, supporters criticized his measure as too
restrictive.
See
Governor Of Hawaii
Proposes State Medical Marijuana Law;
"We need to be at the forefront of treatment." Aloha!
It would require two physicians to approve marijuana for medical reasons; it would
limit use to someone with a severe or terminal illness, and it would require the
Department of Public Safety to create a confidential registry of qualifying patients.
If passed, it "would only lead to constant wrangling and costly litigation,"
said Donald Topping, president of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.
Pam Lichty, board member of the American Civil Liberties Union, who is on the National
ACLU board, also expressed concerns about the administrative bill—especially the
elaborate registry procedures and involvement of public safety officials.
Lichty and Topping agreed with former Rep. David Tarnas who emphasized, "This is a health issue—not a public safety issue. Registries
don’t work. Allow physicians to do their job." State Health Director Bruce
Anderson, noting other states are taking action to allow medical marijuana, said
"Hawaii should be equally compassionate."
Among conditions for which it has been approved in other states, he said, are cancer,
glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, seizure and spasticity disorders, severe pain and nausea.
Hawaii County Police Chief Wayne Carvalho said both bills, as currently written,
"would not only allow, but encourage widespread abuse of legalized medical use of
marijuana."
See
Sacramento Area Narcs
Are Arresting Medical Marijuana Patients,
And The State Is Investigating Their Doctors. Hidden War.
"There seems to be more medicinal busts than recreational or black market
busts."
Medical Oncologist Reginald C.S. Ho said he opposes legalizing marijuana for medical
use for the same reason he would appose any other new drug—until it’s proven
safe and beneficial through controlled research clinical trials.
See
The Lancet Reports On
Israeli Plans For Medical Marijuana;
"We don’t want people to have to break the law
to get treatment when no other drug is effective".
and
Finnish
Medical Association Supports Medical Marijuana
And Says Its Negative Effects Have Been Greatly Exaggerated.
and
Chairman of the House
of Lords Science and Technology Committee
Criticizes UK Government’s Rejection Of Report On Medical Marijuana
– 2 Articles With 2 of the Worst Prohibitionist Arguments
and
The Lancet reports on the Terry Parker
case."Canadian Judge Allows Marijuana as Therapy"
and
Canadian
Medical Association Passes Resolution Urging Possession Of Marijuana
Not Be Punishable By A Jail Term
and
Medical Community
United In Support Of Medical Marijuana Reform
-- NORML Foundation NEWS ALERT
Copyright: 1999 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
For more information, please contact Donald Topping of The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii @
(808) 988-4386.
Supported