Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2014
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2014 Star Advertiser
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154
Page: A23

HOUSING LAW AIDS MARIJUANA PATIENT RENTERS

Medical marijuana advocates are applauding a new law that aims to 
improve housing protection by voiding provisions in state rental 
agreements that had allowed a tenant's eviction based on their status 
as a registered medical marijuana patient.

Act 60, enacted by the Legislature and signed by the governor earlier 
this year, takes effect Saturday.

Rafael Kennedy, executive director of the Medical Cannabis Coalition 
of Hawaii and Drug Policy Action Group, said it is encouraging to see 
the issue coming to light.

"Patient renters should never have to live in fear of eviction just 
because of private decisions about medication," Kennedy said in a news release.

"This bill goes a long way to fixing that - and people need to know 
about it to protect their right."

The law carves out exceptions for buildings where smoking is 
prohibited or if a condominium or community association entirely 
prohibits the use of medical marijuana in its rules.

Kennedy said such prohibitions are outdated.

"A community association that rejects tenants based on the 
medications they choose will find itself very much behind the times," 
Kennedy said. "Medical marijuana is not a crime - it is, and has 
been, legal in Hawaii for 15 years.

"Patients and caregivers are everywhere, in every walk of life."

Hawaii is among 22 states and Washington, D.C., that have approved 
the use of medical marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom