Big Island pot advocate
pleads not guilty to drug
promotion, possession

By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

HILO -- Jonathan Adler, a former Big Island nonpartisan mayoral candidate, has pleaded not guilty to charges of promoting a detrimental drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Circuit Judge Riki May Amano yesterday set a March 6 trial date. However, that is also the date for the trial of Dana Ireland murder suspect Shawn Schweitzer, so changes apparently must be made.

Adler, 47, was arrested after 89 marijuana plants were found growing at his 1-acre house site south of Hilo last year.

Adler says he will rely for his defense on a state law that says people may use marijuana for medical reasons if they have a lawful prescription for it. He says he uses it for insomnia and asthma.

In his previous mayoral bid, Adler's campaign slogan was "Make Sense," meaning marijuana should be legalized.