Pubdate: Mon, 21 Nov 2005
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2005 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Author: June Watanabe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

Kokua Line

164 DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE MARIJUANA

Question: I was  wondering if you can point me in the direction of 
two  things. One, how can I contribute to the legalization  of 
medicinal marijuana everywhere? Second, where can I  find a doctor on 
Oahu who is participating in writing  prescriptions to patients (who, 
of course, meet the  requirements under the law) for marijuana use?

Answer: In answer to your first question, NORML --  National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws  -- would be a good 
place for you to start.

The contact for NORML Oahu is the Rev. William Webb,  phone 625-9692 
or e-mail Webb said the Oahu chapter just formed this year, and  "we're still 
(taking) baby steps," processing  paperwork, etc.

Anyone interested in joining should contact him; he  said he'll let 
people know once a date for the next  meeting is set.

Basically, NORML tries to "educate the public on the  benefits of 
cannabis -- medicinal, spiritual, even just  plain recreational use," 
Webb said. He also pointed to  marijuana as a "hardy plant for hemp 
to be used for  many, many things."

He said the national organization's Web site 
- --  www.norml.org/index.cfm -- is a good source of  information.

Regarding the name of a physician authorized to  prescribe marijuana, 
Webb said there is no such list.  It's not something that physicians 
publicize, he said,  and he only knows of one physician because a 
member of  NORML is a patient.

The state Department of Public Safety, which oversees  the medicinal 
marijuana registry of physicians and  patients in Hawaii, does not 
provide such a listing.

Hawaii legalized the use of medicinal marijuana in 2000.

A physician must certify that a patient is qualified  for such use 
because of a debilitating medical  condition specified in the law.

But before a physician is allowed to certify a patient,  he or she 
must also meet certain qualifications: be  licensed to practice in 
Hawaii, have a controlled  substance registration and be authorized 
by the state  to participate in the program.

If such a physician certifies a patient, the patient  must also 
register with the state, then is allowed to  possess three mature 
plants and four immature plants at  any time, plus one ounce of 
processed marijuana per  mature plant.

At last check earlier this month, there were 164  practicing 
physicians who are allowed to prescribe  marijuana use: 53 on Oahu; 
42, Big Island; 32, Maui;  23, Kauai; four, Niihau; and three, Lanai.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman