Make it easier for pot patients

Hawaii medical cannabis patients are at the end of their rope.

For 14 years, they have not been able to access safe, efficacious medicine due to a hastily crafted state law that forces them to buy on the illegal market.

Even more egregious, if a state dispensary bill is passed in 2015, it would be two to three years before administrative rules are adopted, exacerbating the stress and pain.

Patients cannot wait more years. Lawmakers have already demonstrated their lack of compassion and caring for the sick and dying.

The solution to this problem is a presidential executive order to correctly reschedule cannabis as a Schedule 2 drug. That would effectively allow doctors to prescribe cannabis and pharmacies to dispense the drug throughout the U.S.

This is the patient’s very pressing need and hope for the coming new year.

Andrea Tischler
Chairwoman, Americans for Safe Access, Big Island chapter, Hilo

New budget bill goes backward

The recently passed "CRomnibus bill" took several steps backward.

» It weakens campaign spending laws by increasing the amount the rich can donate to political parties tenfold, from $32,400 to $324,000.

» It guts Dodd-Frank by allowing Wall Street to gamble with depositor savings and putting the taxpayers again on the hook for bank losses.

» It also allows pension trustees to cut benefits for current retirees; prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating farm water sources; reduces EPA funding; denies increased funding for renewable energy research but increases funding for fossil energy research and increases financing of coal-fired power plants, among many other regressive laws.

President Barack Obama again demonstrated that he is a weak negotiator and very bad poker player. He should have stood firm with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren to beat back another raid on the taxpayers by big banks and reverse the trend to monopolize political power in the hands of the wealthy.

Francis M. Nakamoto
Moanalua Valley

Cyclists should obey laws, too

Bicycling has hit the big time with the cycle track in King Street.

If this is to continue and expand, the cycling community has to play by the rules. No more running red lights, no riding against the traffic, and yes, have blinky lights on at night, and even during the day.

Same rights, same rules — I don’t feel that is asking too much.

Cyclists are not above the traffic laws, any more than cars are. So grow up, cyclists, and strap on a helmet. Ride on!

Nick Blank
Hawaii Kai

Bike commuting just got easier

Last week was my first time on the new King StreetCycle Track and I’m in love.

It was fast and easy to get across town — I actually got home a little faster than via my car. I felt like wearing a T-shirt that read, "Every bike on this track = one less car on the street."

I think my favorite is that I got exercise without having to "exercise." Looking forward to bike commuting here on out.

Mahalo to Honolulu for the bike track.

Sena Pierce
Kaimuki

Rail officials insult the public

I totally agree with your editorial on the need for more details on the cost of rail ("More details needed about rail options," Star-Advertiser, Dec. 21).

The one thing that is not talked about is how the maintenance and operating cost of the rail are going to be paid for.

The general excise tax not only will have to be extended forever, but it probably will have to be increased to pay for this project. For rail officials to talk about adding extra spurs to Manoa and wherever else they think will placate the public is an insult to the intelligence of the public.

This whole project has been poorly planned from the very beginning. The rail stations will become slum areas due to poor maintenance. They will attract undesirable elements rather than businesses.

The theory was good, but this is what happens when people seek their own glory and big money gets involved.

Ken Takeya
Kailua

Clamp down on noisy Harleys

When are the police going to start policing the noise level of Harley-Davidson bikers?

I know they are not legal.

Please help us find some peace in paradise!

Bill Fuson
Ala Moana