In states where public health is a priority, legislators have learned the value of Cannabis in open society. Taxpayers in legal states are beginning to see how Cannabis positively impacts public health saving millions annually in health costs. Public safety is increased when funding is reduced for military-style police raids on patient’s homes.
Who can trust a government claiming a patient on the medicinal benefits of Cannabis while also claiming it has no medicinal value? Who can trust a government that jails it’s citizens for consuming or obtaining medicine to heal themselves?
Who can trust a government that schedules Cannabis as the most dangerous drug in America -with “no medicinal value”. Thousands of patients and tens of thousands of would-be patients trust police less than criminals on the black market. In Hawaii, this trust was broken many times and it continues today. A pattern emerged among key decision makers in Hawaii County. Those harming the most patients and society in general are well known.
Police in Hawaii under the direction of Keith Kamita(1), former head of the State Narcotics Enforcement Division and retiring Police Chief Kubojiri released patient health information records to local newspapers and raided hundreds of licensed patient’s homes.
It’s unclear whether former and newly re-elected Mayor, Harry Kim will aggressively conduct police raids on patient homes as returning Mayor. Harry Kim was mentor to current, indicted, Mayor Billy Kenoi. Together they are responsible for sending thousands of patients to jail over the last 16 years. Families have been devastated and our local communities deserve to know if this tyrannical behavior will continue.
“My position is no secret,” Kim told the AP. “I support eradication, as long as it’s done in a way that is not harmful to people who should not be harmed, as far as noise and catchment systems and all those concerns. I’m against all drugs. Marijuana is an illegal drug.” -StoptheDrugWar.org
(1) In 2003 a jury found state Narcotics Enforcement Division head Keith Kamita and Ed Howard, a supervisory investigator under Kamita, were personally liable for more than $2 million in damages to be paid to Zalopany and Elkins among others for sexual harassment and discrimination.
Other complaints against Keith Kamita alleged that he stole state property and used it for his own purposes, provided confidential information from the division’s criminal database system to unauthorized individuals and allowed other unauthorized persons to access the database themselves. Kamita was also alleged to have stolen automobile parts off of a federally seized vehicle.
The ACLU took action after reports that Keith Kamita, former head of DPS’s Narcotics Enforcement Division and Deputy Director for Law Enforcement for Hawaii State Department of Public Safety (DPS), incorrectly and improperly threatened and restricted a local physician wrongly informing him that house calls for medical cannabis patients were prohibited under state law. See: Overreaching Government Officials Improperly Threatened And Restricted Physicians
Hawaii Police Campaign Against Medical Marijuana Laws
Keith Kamita, former head of Hawaii’s Narcotic Enforcement Division (NED), and all of Hawaii’s County Police departments participated in distributing anti-medical marijuana flyers, which incorrectly state “MARIJUANA IS NOT MEDICINE.” Police also asked citizens to oppose medical marijuana legislation which raised ethics questions about police lobbying.
Patient’s needs are simple, less interference and regulation from government. Simply put, patients require a steady supply of affordable medicine.
More Patient-focused organizations are emerging with measureable results (28 states with medical marijuana laws). Compassionate legislators in many of these states understand the need to serve patients regardless of the Federal laws or current drug classification of marijuana.
Patients have access to contact information at the Department of Health.
Information Hotline – Call (808) 733-2177and listen to general information about the program. If you are located on Hawaii, you can call (808) 974-4000, ext. 32177; Maui, call (808) 984-2400, ext. 32177; Kauai call (808) 274-3141, ext. 32177 – for toll free access to the Information Hot Line.
Limited resources within the department restrict the ability of the patients to make contact. But our experience is hit or miss. So if you have questions or concerns, try the number!
During the upcoming legislative session in Hawaii we will pinpoint the names, votes and results of the actions of legislators in your district.
“Liberate cannabis and hemp for all of their many products and blessings; ending prohibition will free up creativity and prosperity more than the Big Island has ever known.” – Roger Christie link to article
“There are people who are totally law-abiding, productive, good people who are truly disturbed by the noise of the helicopters,” Harry Kim respondoing to a hearing by the Land Board on Dec. 14th 2000 concerning the state program of spraying marijuana plants with herbicides, using long hoses dangling from helicopters. Harry Kim also said, “Thousands of people depend on rainwater caught in tanks for their home water supply, Kim said. “Any perceived threat of contamination (from herbicides) of this water is very frightening.” link to article
“In and out, just like that,” said Big Island vice Lt. Henry Tavares, who is in charge of marijuana eradication for the eastern half of Hawaii County reporting his story that Burt Shimabukuro and Benton Bolos rappelled out of a Hughes 500 helicopter and into a grove of ohia trees to ruin some other grower’s day. In less than five minutes, Shimabukuro and Bolos had slid out of the helicopter, cut 110 2-foot pakalolo plants with their machetes, and flown off in search of more clandestine patches. link to article