In 2000, Hawaii became the first state to legalize medical marijuana through the legislative process. But advocates for the program say Hawaii has failed to adapt to evolving patient needs.

“;We haven't made any changes to our legislation since day one,”; said Pam Lichty, president of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and co-chairwoman of a working group convened last year to study the effectiveness of the state's law and make recommendations to the Legislature.

The report by the Medical Cannabis Working Group, due later this week, plans to make four recommendations. They include:

» Creating a distribution system.

» Increasing the allowable number of plants and the amount of usable marijuana that patients may have.

» Allowing caregivers to care for at least five patients.

» Transferring oversight of the medical marijuana program to the Health Department from the Department of Public Safety.

Legislation is alive that would address all of those concerns. Two of the measures were heard in Senate committees last week, with more hearings expected later this session.

Sen. David Ige (D, Aiea-Pearl City) said lawmakers are looking at the various bills and “;trying to make sure that they're all consistently moving forward.”;

Hawaii's current law allows certified patients to keep an “;adequate supply”; of the drug not to exceed three mature marijuana plants, four immature plants and one ounce of usable marijuana per each mature plant at any given time.

Law enforcement and prosecutors oppose attempts to change the amounts that patients are allowed to possess.

“;To expand the medical marijuana laws and amend our current statutes from their current restrictions would only assist those individuals now growing marijuana illegally and generating huge profits,”; Big Island Police Chief Harry Kubojiri said in written testimony to Ige's committee. “;Passage of this bill would further hamper law enforcement organizations in their efforts to control this drug and the related crimes that come with it.”;

The private working group—which included drug policy advocates, doctors, patients and others—was formed in September without input from the state. Although lawmakers passed a bill calling for the state to convene a task force, Gov. Linda Lingle never acted on the measure.

Among the patients in the group was Teri Heede, 54, of Makakilo, who has suffered from multiple sclerosis for the past 18 years.

“;Our lawmakers here are very compassionate, but they need to look at the law again because it doesn't do what the patients need it to do,”; she said. “;We need a safe and legal supply of medical cannabis.”;