Chronic pain a real disease 

In response to David Shapiro, I would like to state for the record that the diagnosis of "chronic pain" is certainly a legitimate and documentable disease for inclusion in the medical marijuana program ("Green on right track to make medicinal pot rules more rigid," Volcanic Ash, Star-Advertiser, May 4). The few unscrupulous practitioners who have signed up patients, regardless of age, for short-term conditions that would be expected to resolve quickly with minimal intervention, should be sanctioned.

The intent of the program has never been to provide legal access to marijuana to any age group for recreational purposes. But this should not affect accessibility for the huge segment of the population under long-term care for chronic pain management. Most of these patients have a documentable history of chronic opioid use to control their condition. To deprive these patients of the option of using cannabis to decrease their consumption of addictive and potentially harmful narcotic analgesics because of a few unscrupulous physicians would be a reprehensible abuse of the intent of the system.

Dr. Gary L.Greenly
Honolulu

HPD needs closer oversight

Scandal and the Honolulu Police Department are continuously appearing in the same sentences — fraudulent overtime, gambling exploitation, drug possession — need I continue?

Every day we see officers’ minor disrespect for the law — parking in no parking zones to have lunch, speeding past us without emergency lights and not responding to emergency calls.

Many in our HPD seem to feel that the badge and their vehicle lights make them immune to having to abide by the same laws that the general public must follow.

When trying to improve any metropolitan area, true leaders have always focused first on improving the integrity within the police force, ensuring that the law was being upheld and applied fairly. When are we going to see our leaders hold our HPD to a new level of accountability?

Ross Csaszar
Ewa Beach

Support for fair elections praised 

Mahalo to the Big Island County Council for supporting Act 244, the Big Island Fair Elections pilot program. Act 244 allows candidates to try and qualify for public funds to run their campaigns instead of relying upon special interest money. We want our county, state and eventually country run on behalf of people, not corporate interests. Mahalo!

Jennifer Ho
Hilo

Medicare Part B costs real money

I pay $96.50 monthly for Medicare Part B. Times 12 months equals $1,158.

If the state reimburses 1,000 retirees, that equals $1,158,000. This amount can repave our city and county roadways, not just refill potholes.

Dimi Ventura
Wahiawa

Get going with PTSD program 

Two Fisher Houses and several other buildings have been built on Tripler property, with no opposition. A few years ago, the Marriott Corp. had permission to build a new lodging facility on the open field below the ocean parking lots. Nothing stopped it other than its own lack of funding.

Is construction distracting us from this mission? Then set it aside. Establish the proposed new post traumatic stress disorder treatment center in Building #40, while alternate site construction is being discussed.

Dennis Egge
Salt Lake