Pubdate: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2016 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 Author: Libby Tomar AWARD POT LICENSES AS FAIRLY AS POSSIBLE It will be highly lucrative for those groups awarded the medical marijuana dispensary licenses. Unfortunately, applicants who get chosen will be accused of undue influence and conflicts of interest. Those who don't will likely file lawsuits. What to do? I suggest we discard the panel to select the groups. Instead, have the state Department of Health choose the approved applicants in a fair way with an equal playing field. Put the names of the approved applicants on ping-pong balls, put the balls in a bingo cage, turn the cage and have the governor pull out eight balls to determine the groups awarded the licenses. It would be transparent and fair, and avoid conflicts of interest as well as lawsuits. Libby Tomar Kailua - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom