[roguepoet]

The following came from the folks at Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii. There is info about the upcoming working group, and a link to a questionnaire. I hope patients can take the time to fill one out and send it in. The more input the better!

The questionnaire mentioned below is now available at:
http://www.dpfhi.org/A_PDF/MCWG_Questionnaire.pdf

Community invited to share concerns about Hawaii's medical cannabis
program

The Medical Cannabis Working Group (Working Group) announced today that
they
will be holding a public Medical Cannabis Talk Story on
October 27, 2009
6:30-8pm
Hawaii State Capitol, Conference Room 329

The Working Group invites all members of the public to share their
concerns about Hawaii's medical cannabis (marijuana) program.

The Medical Cannabis Working Group is composed of organizations,
medical professionals, patients and caregivers with the purpose of
examining problems with current medical cannabis laws. The Working
Group will provide a report to the Legislature prior to the 2010
legislative session with their findings and recommendations, including
information obtained from the Talk Story, for use in developing
legislation to improve the medical cannabis program.

To ensure that all issues with the medical cannabis program are
addressed in its report and
recommendations, the Working Group is asking the public to attend and
speak at the Talk Story or complete and submit a questionnaire which
will be available at the meeting, online at:
http://www.dpfhi.org/A_PDF/MCWG_Questionnaire.pdf
Neighbor island residents, in particular, are
encouraged to submit their concerns via the questionnaire.

Speakers are asked to limit their Talk Story comments to three minutes
to ensure that everyone is able to speak. Limited metered parking is
available in the State Capitol underground parking garage (accessible
via Miller St. off of Punchbowl St.) or at the Department of Health
parking lot across from the Capitol.

[ladyknight]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[roguepoet]

By the way....the working group will have a meeting around November 3, so even if you can't get the questionnaire filled out by tonight, please send it in anyway...the more responses they have from patients the better!

[tanja]

Im not cp savy so how do i do it? I only get a hand and way to change it.
I'ii keep trying tho.
T

[roguepoet]

I have been informed that the fax number in the questionnaire is incorrect...

The correct fax number for Senator Esperno's office is:

808-586-6361

Thanks to all of you patients who are filling out and sending in a completed form.

[roguepoet]

From the KITV4 web site covering the "Talk Story" last
night at the capitol.
Medical Marijuana Users Look For Changes - Most Popular News Story - KITV Honolulu

Medical Marijuana Users Look For Changes
Group Hopes To Create New Legislation To Improve Distribution

POSTED: 10:39 am HST October 28, 2009
UPDATED: 11:07 am HST October 28, 2009

A group looking at problems with the current medical marijuana program
gathered for community input on Tuesday night as it prepares to make
recommendations to the state Legislature.

In 2000, Hawaii became the first state in the country to legislatively
approve a medical marijuana program. Many say the 9-year-old law is
unclear and outdated.

Paul Minar is certified to use medicinal marijuana for his chronic back
pain.

"It relieves the pain without putting me in a fog," Minar said.

Minar is among about 5,000 patients in Hawaii legally using marijuana
who are having a difficult time acquiring the drug.

"The only place to buy your medicine is at 3 o'clock in the morning in
some scary part of town," Minar said.

"The way we have our system currently set up, we just push them to the
black market," medical marijuana user Brian Murphy said.

Murphy uses medicinal marijuana to calm his migraine seizures.

"It made me totally get off of narcotics," he said.

Murphy said he also wants distribution centers. However, he said he
wants to see the government support small farmers who cultivate medical
marijuana.

"We have quite a bit of agriculture here in the state that cannot
afford to stay on the land," Murphy said.

The Medical Cannabis Working Group for the medical marijuana program is
gathering community input on the 9 year old medical marijuana bill.

Its legislative recommendation could be greatly influenced by the U.S.
Justice Department, which recently ordered that people who use or
distribute medical marijuana should not be federally prosecuted so long
as they act within state laws.

Some complain Hawaii's medical marijuana laws are vague. They say the
laws do not address the purchase or sale of medical marijuana. Some
patients said they are uncomfortable registering with the Public Safety
Department's Narcotics Enforcement Division.

"A lot of folks feel it should be with the Department of Health, as it
is in most other states that have a registration system," said Pam
Lichty, of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.

Minar and Murphy said they are grateful Hawaii's current law allows
growing, transporting and possession of medical marijuana and
paraphernalia. They said they will push for more support next
legislation session.

[roguepoet]

For any patient out there who hasn't filled out a questionnaire, Sen Espero's office will be accepting them until December 25.

Only about 50 patients responded, so not even 1% of the total patients in the state. I know it was not well promoted, and patients need to focus on getting well, but as a group we will have to make more noise if we want to see improvements made to our law.

With Lingle still in office it will be a difficult battle this year (2010), but we can certainly lay the ground work for 2011...

[roguepoet]

The working group final report will be released on Thursday February 4.

I will try to post the link, if there is one.

There are many bills under consideration...SB 2141, SB2212 and SB 2213 are all good, and will be heard on Thursday....you can submit testimony electronically at

Submit Testimony by Email

Testimony must be submitted by 4pm Wednesday February 3...

[Petes60r]

does anyone know of any collectives operating in or around Hanapepe,Kauai?
I'am a patient in california and am here visiting my father who has Colon Cancer and has just a few more precious months with us as they "Doctors" have told us.He has been Using marijuana for awhile now for his Appetite which has become just about non existant and for his nausea from Chemotherapy. I would like to be able to get some medicine for him while im here so i know he will atleast be able to WANT to eat and have a little strength day to day any help would be appreciated.

TIA ,Pete