Police order to turn in guns violates trust and rights

Awhile ago, I met at a Ward Avenue bar and grill with a grumpy old fellow (grumpier and older than me, anyway) who took issue with something I’d written.

When we were seated, he ordered a beer. After it was delivered, he lit a cigarette.

The waiter came running back to tell him smoking wasn’t allowed. My companion noticed tables outside by the sidewalk and asked if he could smoke there.

“Yes,” the waiter said, “but you can’t take your beer out there.”

The old guy did a slow burn. “What’s this !@#$%& country coming to when a man has to choose between a beer and a cigarette?”

I knew the feeling when a letter went out under the name of police Chief Susan Ballard demanding that state medical marijuana card holders turn in their guns, citing the illegality of pot under federal law.

I only recently obtained my marijuana card for possible help in treating my multiple sclerosis and haven’t decided whether I’ll actually use it to visit a dispensary.

I don’t own guns and support sensible gun control.

Still, I’ve never heard of a cancer, glaucoma or MS patient holding up a convenience store at gunpoint to support a medical pakalolo habit.

Nor was I made aware when I applied for my marijuana card that I’d give up constitutional rights for complying with state law instead of availing myself of readily obtainable black market pot.

I certainly didn’t know the state would fink me out to law enforcement; I presume the same information police get could also be obtained by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a moralizing maniac who has vowed to send the dogs of hell after medical cannabis users if Congress allows him.

The Legislature legalized medical marijuana in 2000 so patients who found weed helpful in treating a variety of ailments could medicate as they and their doctors saw fit free from state harassment.

Now we find ourselves essentially in a criminal database, lumped in with the mentally impaired. It’s a significant breach of trust by the state, not to mention a violation of medical privacy rights.

It turns out the police crackdown on gun-toting medical stoners predated Ballard’s recent appointment as police chief, and she has now ordered a review of the policy following the uproar over the gun confiscation letter that went out in her name.

It’s a wise move; with the wide array of serious problems facing the Honolulu Police Department, this is not the first fight she wants to pick.

The state legalized medical marijuana 17 years ago, and it’s about time the various arms of the state had a meeting to get on the same page in treating patients with the respect the law intended.

The public health arena isn’t the proper venue for a circus.

Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com.