No doubt, the state government has always excelled at making things more complicated than they need to be.

That’s been the complaint from some doctors who are steeling themselves for an onslaught of requests for medical marijuana prescriptions.

But while it’s good news that the Department of Health is moving to a less cumbersome, online registration system, less cumbersome should not mean totally without substance.

With the expansion of medical marijuana access through dispensaries, the state still needs that information about its use.

Not all disputes require a law to be passed

A City Council committee was wise to defer a vague bill that would have affected all Oahu bird owners because of the perceived sins of a single Kamehameha Heights resident.

A far better approach is for the offending bird owner to engage directly with neighbors to resolve concerns over the 150 birds he keeps, a solution the bird owner is willing to seek.

In general, the Council should reserve its lawmaking authority to address broad community issues, not personal disputes.