Lawmakers consider bills
to permit use of marijuana
for medical reasons

Many Life Foundation clients use
it to treat AIDS symptoms

Legislature Directory

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

Crime or compassion?

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, American Cancer Society, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Hawaii Ophthalmological Society 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.

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.

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." 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.