Pot bill not broad enough

Dr. Ira Zunin mistakenly concluded that Senate Bill 2574 will somehow expand patient access to medical cannabis because it lists primary care physicians and certain specialists as the only doctors who can recommend cannabis to qualifying patients ("Bill makes progress toward better access to medical pot," Star-Advertiser, Wealth of Health, March 22).

SB 2574 lists certain medical specialists as "approved" for cannabis recommendations. Yet state law qualifies substantially more diseases and symptoms for cannabis treatment than these specialists treat.

What happened to the cannabis registrations of those patients who now are unable to obtain or renew medical access because their particular diseases are not "approved?" I happen to be one of those patients and I want to know how this legislation can be considered inclusive.

Karl Malivuk
Moiliili

Parents can quit Pono Choices

I don’t understand the objection of Garret Hashimoto, president of the Hawaii Christian Coalition, to the Department of Education’s Pono Choices curriculum review ("Pono Choices panel is too secretive, critics allege," Star-Advertiser, March 25).

He threatens to sue if the program is not significantly changed, but any parent who finds the curriculum objectionable may opt out of participation.

Does Hashimoto not believe that parents are able to make informed decisions regarding their children’s educations?

Rebecca Rosenberg
Kailua

Canada system far from perfect

I read with interest Renee Ing’s endorsement of the single-payer, Canadian health care insurance system ("Medicare would be single payer," Star-Advertiser, Letters, March 22).

Before concluding that the government can provide better, more affordable health care insurance, supporters of this idea should realize that, in the U.S., three times as many malpractice lawsuits are filed per person per year compared to Canada. It is estimated that practicing defensive medicine consumes up to 9 percent of U.S. health care dollars.

Canada reduces drug costs far more than the U.S. by using centralized bidding and buying, a cost-control factor which was omitted from Obamacare.

Wait times in Canada to see general physicians and specialists are much longer.

Last, any physician who has had to contend with filing and processing Medi-care claims also would strongly dispute the concept that the government can provide a better and more efficient payment system than that provided by private health care insurance companies.

Malcolm R. Ing M.D.
Nuuanu

Blaisdell Arena linked to Elvis

I was shocked to learn that officials are considering replacing the Blaisdell Arena, the site of Elvis Presley’s world-famous Aloha from Hawaii show.

I would have thought such a place would merit historical protection. The building is iconic, and a place where many a tourist and visitor has frequented to take photos of this wonderful venue.

If the City Council continues to destroy what makes Hawaii unique, I believe that more potential visitors like myself will take our money elsewhere. The Blaisdell Arena is a dream of mine to see. I will have no interest in seeing the new venue.

Remember, Elvis helped put Hawaii on the map. Please don’t destroy the wonderful historic landmark that you already have.

Lorraine Bush
Jindera, New South Wales

Covert cops need exemption

The Honolulu Police Department’s undercover officers need legal protection to catch prostitutes breaking the law. The exemption helps reinforce the department’s strict policies prohibiting any penetrating sex act in making an arrest for prostitution.

An officer can be fired and criminally charged. No officer has ever been disciplined for violating these policies. Lawyer Myles Breiner claims the officers had sex with his clients before making an arrest. Why hasn’t he made complaints to the state Attorney General’s office or the FBI? Or sued HPD?

Besides "doing the talk," state Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee Chairman Clayton Hee and the male members of his committee should literally do "the walk" dressedas tourists. Before making a decision, they should walk in the shoes of the undercover officers trying to make prostitution arrests on Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues on weekends.

The officers have a hard time making arrests with the present laws. Ending the exemption would make it harder.

Steven Burke
Former SHOPO president, Aiea