Pubdate: Sat, 23 May 2009
Source: Maui News, The (HI)
Copyright: 2009 The Maui News
Contact:  http://www.mauinews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259
Author: Ilima Davis
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n532/a01.html

PERMISSION TO USE OF LITTLE PRACTICAL VALUE

Having the "End of green harvest in sight" (Letters, May 17) would be 
indeed good news for the 4,000 registered patients in Hawaii who are 
allowed to grow a few plants for their own medicine.

I credit marijuana used with a vaporizer for my hubby still being 
alive as he has barely any appetite and cancer is wasting away his 
body at age 63. Prescription pain relievers for his back have worn 
away his liver and the pain-relieving properties of cannabis have 
taken the place of these destructive pills.

But, having checked, other card-holding patients tell of the 
additional challenge of having to cope with the green harvest 
helicopters swooping down to take away their meds with officers 
laughing! This indicates to me that this activity is not just to 
enforce a law, but it is the pleasure of the hunt and a purely 
egotistical power trip.

Those who cannot or dare not grow the plants themselves because of 
physical handicaps or lack of private space to hide plants from 
thieves and the nosy eyes of neighbors have to resort to getting the 
pot from dealers and growers. One would think that along with the 
permission to take marijuana as medication recommended by pain 
specialists with doctorates that these patients would have a legal 
dispensary to buy it from. But, we haven't evolved to that wisdom yet.

Ilima Davis

Kaunakakai
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom