Legislators decline to ask
Congress for marijuana Rx

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

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The House Health Committee isn't ready to ask Congress to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana.

A resolution heard by the committee yesterday to do that was "much too strong," said Chairman Alex Santiago. He said it would be difficult getting support to pass it.

He said, however, there is strong feeling that marijuana relieves pain and suffering and the committee should look at the issue.

He suggested the author, Rep. David Tarnas, rewrite the measure to ask the federal government to move more quickly on testing to establish a universal policy on medical use of marijuana.

"Rather than the tail wagging the dog, let's get the dog to move a little quicker," Santiago said, "and get the feds to come up with a position."

The Health Committee earlier in the session held a bill, also proposed by Tarnas, to allow use of marijuana for medical reasons.

Rep. Bob McDermott, committee member, said he would also vote against a resolution based on testimony and evidence.

The Honolulu Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, state Public Safety Department and state Health Department opposed the resolution. But they indicated that a consistent federal policy would help their agencies.

Eight states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes while others have banned it, Santiago noted.

Donald Topping, retired university of Hawaii professor who heads the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, said denying marijuana "to sick people because of the politically motivated war on drugs is unconscionable."

"You can go down the streets anywhere and see stuff all over the place," said Rep. Gene Ward. "So isn't there de facto legalization already?"

Topping said the drug with the highest increase of arrests in Honolulu is marijuana. People who use it for pain and suffering must resort to black market supplies, he said.

He supported Tarnas' resolution as a "small step" forward and would even favor a modified version, he said. "Anything that would move it to rational discussion and scrutiny."

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LEGISLATURE UPDATE

A calendar of tomorrow's hearings -- to be held at the state Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St., unless noted:

HOUSE

Transportation: Hearing on resolutions requesting a reduction on the use of herbicide in roadside maintenance and relating to child-restraint systems. Decision-making to follow, 8:30 a.m., Room 309.

Agriculture: Hearing on resolutions requesting the counties to adjust property tax assessments for agricultural properties and requesting development of a program to revitalize the agriculture industry by promoting Hawaii grown products and processed foods on designated days. Decision-making to follow, 9:30 a.m., Room 423.

Finance: Hearing on bills relating to traffic enforcement, the general excise tax and agricultural parks. Decision-making to follow if time permits, 2 p.m., Room 308.

Judiciary: Hearing on bills relating to search warrants, solid waste management and job reference liability. Decision-making to follow, 2 p.m., Room 325.

Education: Hearing on bill relating to allowing registered nurses to certify a child has been immunized or physically examined for the purpose of entering school, and resolutions requesting development of student-centered mental health intervention services and encouraging all Hawaii residents to speak more than one language. Decision-making to follow, 2:30 p.m., Room 329.

Consumer Protection and Commerce: Hearing with House Judiciary Committee on bills relating to acquisition of hospitals and pawnbrokers. Consumer Protection hearing on bills relating to veterinary medicine and landscape architects. Decision-making to follow, 5 p.m., Room 325.

SENATE

Judiciary: Hearing on bills relating to school discipline, criminal history checks and police officers, 8:30 a.m., Room 229.

Ways and Means: Decision-making on bills relating to land use, restitution, cigarette sales to minors, hunting licenses and corrections. Written testimony accepted only, 10 a.m., Room 211.

Human Resources/Transportation and Intergovernmental Affairs: Hearing on resolution approving the biennial review of the compensation plans and costs. Decision-making to follow if time permits, 11 a.m., Room 212.

Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs: Hearing with Senate Transportation committee on resolution requesting the U.S. President and Congress assist in the process of Native Hawaiian self-governance, with Senate Economic Development committee on resolution endorsing and adopting the recommendations contained in the draft Ala Wai watershed water quality improvement project plan and resolution calling Providence, R.I., to repatriate the Ki'i La'au to the Hawaiian people. Decision-making to follow if time permits, 1 p.m., Room 229.

Transportation and Intergovernmental Affairs/Health and Environment: Hearing on resolutions requesting a study on alternative development regulation scenarios for proposed use projects in Waikiki and requesting the establishment of an emergency plan to alleviate traffic tie-ups resulting from major traffic accidents. Decision-making to follow if time permits, 1 p.m., Room 212.

Health and Environment: Hearing on gubernatorial nominees to the state Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Commission on Persons with Disabilities, the Environmental Council, the state Council of Mental Health, the Reproductive Rights Protection Committee and the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Water Treatment Plans. Decision-making to follow if time permits, 1:30 p.m., Room 225.