Hawaii rated in top 5 states for medical pot access

Americans for Safe Access, a Washington, D.C.-based group advocating access to medical marijuana, gave Hawaii a “B” for its medical marijuana program.

Hawaii got the fifth highest rating among states. The grades ranged from B+ to F-. Hawaii’s “B” grade was based on 430 points out of a total 500, earning a score of 86 percent. The highest grade of “B+” was awarded to Illinois, with 449 points and overall score of 89.9 percent.

“Hawaii is on track to become one of the best programs in the country if they continue with their timely implementation,” Americans for Safe Access said in its report.

Hawaii legalized medical cannabis in 2000, but patients had no legal way to obtain the drug. Eight medical marijuana dispensaries are expected to open later this year. There are more than 15,000 patients registered to use marijuana with the state.

Hermes Waikiki expands

Luxury retailer Hermes is adding another floor to its Royal Hawaiian Center location, which will become the chain’s largest retail presence in Hawaii.

The new three-story, 12,301-square-foot space is slated to open in 2019. The expansion is the second for Hermes since opening a center store in the early 1990s. On Thursday, Hermes will move to a temporary space in Royal Hawaiian Center’s C-building facing Kalakaua Avenue. Construction barricades will be placed in front of the original site June 17.

ON THE MOVE

IQ 360 has hired the following:

>> Rhianna Taniguchi as an account manager. Her responsibilities include helping clients develop and implement strategic digital campaigns. She was previously an account executive for the Denver Post.

>> Kimberly “Kimi” Kaneda as the company’s new office manager. Kaneda has experience as a manager as well as an organizer and has worked in the hospitality industry for many years.

District 49 Toastmasters International, with over 2,600 members statewide and 66 clubs, held its annual Spring Conference earlier this month, which featured a Table Topics Speech Contest and an International Speech Contest. Winners were:

>> David Tasaka for the Table Topics Speech Contest, out of four contestants. This tests impromptu speaking skills by challenging contestants to organizing thoughts quickly and respond to a question. Tasaka represented Abe Lee Toastmasters.

>> Sarah Hambek for Hawaii’s International Speech Contest, out of eight contestants. Entrants present a five- to seven-minute speech on any subject they choose. Hambek, who is a member of No Ka ‘Oi Toastmasters on Maui, will represent District 49 Toastmasters Hawaii at the 2017 International Convention, to be held in Canada in August.

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