For-profit marijuana will be dangerous

I believe marijuana has a place in the treatment of disease. However, for-profit growing and selling marijuana, even for medical use, is a dangerous and untested social experiment on Hawaii’s people and is not consistent with local values and culture. Not-for-profit or co-ops or limited imports are viable alternatives.

First, legalization of for-profit growing and selling of marijuana is a new idea in the world. Further, only 11 of 23 medical marijuana U.S. states have actual operating experience, and the average retail store experience in those states is only about two years.

Stores in medical marijuana dispensary states began opening from 2009, after President Barack Obama proclaimed that federal marijuana laws were a low enforcement priority. Obviously, jumping onto the social experimentation bandwagon with so little positive data is reckless and dangerous. The negative data trends on crime, highway accidents, youth, employment, and mental health and social service providers, are uncontroverted.

Second, no state has consistent protocols and safety standards to ensure safe and contamination free products. Unlike prescription drugs and commercial food products, it is caveat emptor. Unhealthy mold, mildew, pesticides and petroleum residue are showing up in marijuana in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon. If they were sold at Longs, they would be recalled. Likewise, allowing dispensaries to sell concentrated marijuana is dangerous. Products like oils, tinctures and waxes can have super-psychoactive THC levels. A Tic-Tac candy-size portion may contain 10-15 doses and can be ingested via an e-cigarette or vaporizer pen. The fact that Hawaii’s youth are leading the nation in using these devices should give us pause.

Third, all states that have medical marijuana dispensaries have a higher than average use of marijuana among youth. Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from the National Institutes of Drug Abuse suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent). A University of Colorado study revealed that about 74 percent of teens obtained their marijuana from medical marijuana card holders. These facts almost guarantee that some child’s dream will be lost.

Fourth, legalizing medical marijuana for retail sale will not eliminate the "black market" but mask it and enhance its penetration into our communities, especially among youth. No state that has either legalized medical or recreational marijuana has eliminated the illegal drug trade. The current medical marijuana "white card" is euphemistically called a "Get Out of Jail Card" and sells for only $35.80 a year. And, our current "home-grow" law is essentially unregulated and already provides a source of illegal sales. It will become more veiled and unenforceable. And, if Colorado’s experience is followed, we can expect to see a rise in intra-island and inter-state shipment of marijuana, and a rise in the use of marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin, as people move on to the "next thing."

Fifth, giving experienced for-profit business entities access to Hawaii’s untested production and retail regulatory scheme will place our citizens at the mercy of mainland interests. Once given a toehold, they will use their increasing wealth and political power to expand influence. Elementary economics, profit, and greed will drive decisions. Like Big Pharma, like alcohol and tobacco, "Big Marijuana" will pursue a business model built on the lives of dependable customers or addicts.

As legislators, we owe it to future generations to somberly and wisely consider public policy decisions of lasting effect. Here we have not evaluated the facts carefully, considered the ongoing social experiments and data in other states, prevented predictable and foreseeable harms, and have not exhausted all less overbroad or intrusive means of helping our legitimate medical marijuana patients and families. They, in fact, have been sold a false bill of goods. Ironically, but without a casino, we are gambling away our future.

House Bill 321 to me is the frightening "Pandora’s box" sitting on the governor’s koa desk. I hope it remains closed and that we all have not forgotten that Hawaii is a very special place. And that we, the people of Hawaii, continue to be the masters of our own destiny and not beholden to a new outside interest disguised as a compassionate and healthy friend.

8 licenses, 16 dispensaries, 6,000 plants

Under the new proposed state law, the Hawaii Department of Health will issue eight dispensary licenses. Each license holder will be allowed to operate up to two retail dispensaries for a total of 16 statewide. Geographically, they will be spread out across the state: six dispensaries on Oahu, four each in Hawaii Island and Maui Counties, and two in Kauai County.

Each license holder will be allowed to grow up to 6,000 plants and operate two production centers to convert harvested material into products that can be sold to registered patients. The license shall allow production, manufacturing and dispensing of marijuana and manufactured marijuana products only in the county for which the license is granted.

FAQs about medical marijuana, now online

The medical marijuana patient registration program was transferred from the state Department of Public Safety to the state Department of Health in January 2015, as part of Act 177. The Department of Health has introduced its own medical marijuana website, which includes frequently asked question and is the main portal for the public to learn about the program and coming developments.

Also now available is an online application process for physicians and a confidential online system than can be used by law enforcement officials to verify that those found growing or using marijuana are certified medical marijuana patients.

— State Department of Health