Pubdate: Sun, 20 Sep 2009
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2009 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

GROUP FORMS MARIJUANA TASK FORCE

Advocates, physicians, patients and drug policy organizations are 
forming their own marijuana study group to do the work of a 
government task force that was supposed to appointed by the governor.

The "working group" plans to meet over the next few months "to 
attempt to put together some suggestions and recommendations for the 
Legislature and maybe for our federal government, as well," said Sen. 
Will Espero.

Espero (D, Ewa-Honouliuli-Ewa Beach) and medical marijuana advocates 
held a news conference at the state Capitol Friday to announce their 
intentions.

Senate Bill 1058, approved last session, mandated Gov. Linda Lingle's 
administration to convene a 13-member task force to study law 
enforcement issues and obstacles encountered by patients in obtaining 
medicinal marijuana under state law. But the Lingle administration is 
refusing to form the task force. Her administration has said the 
state must prioritize its limited resources.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that the federal government 
could prosecute medical marijuana users for violating federal drug 
laws, despite state laws such as Hawaii's that allow its use. Earlier 
this year, the Obama administration said it would not interfere with 
states' medical marijuana laws.

Though Lingle vetoed the AB 1058, the veto was overridden by both the 
House and Senate, making it law.

State Public Safety Director Clayton Frank said the administration 
would be unable to comply with the task force mandate.

"Given the unprecedented economic and fiscal challenges, the 
Department of Public Safety is prioritizing its limited resources and 
focusing efforts on core functions," Frank said in a written statement.

Pam Lichty, president of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, said she 
was disappointed in the governor's decision, noting that the bill did 
not include any money from the Legislature.

She said the working group, with representatives from the Hawaii Drug 
Policy Forum, the American Civil Liberties Union and others, will 
move forward with invitations extended to state agencies to participate.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom