According to a story in The Republic, “Some Hawaii lawmakers and advocates say medical marijuana dispensary applicants could be at a disadvantage because health department rules don’t allow greenhouses”
If the Department of Health did any research into growing Cannabis they know that artificial light degrades the quality of THC in the Cannabis plant. For patients who require THC this could be detrimental to those patients with Cannabis-treatable diseases. It’s popular opinion among patients that the Hawaii Department of Health do not know what they’re doing when it comes to agriculture.
Is this even possible?
According to the story, “Right now, rules posted on the Hawaii Department of Health’s website say that isn’t allowed, and medical marijuana must be grown in an enclosed structure. Janice Okubo of the Hawaii Department of Health said the department doesn’t plan on changing the rules unless there’s a change in state law.”
“We think that this bill would remedy a very bad oversight or misstep in the admin rules,” said Pam Lichty, president of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii.
Some lawmakers and advocates said some Hawaii residents may have been deterred from applying because it would have been so expensive to grow indoors. They questioned whether the Hawaii Department of Health should reopen the dispensary application process entirely if rules are changed.
“Do you think maybe we ought to just say, ‘Well, I think we screwed up,'” said Rep. Richard Creagan, vice chair of the House Health Committee. “Maybe we should draw back and reopen the dispensary applications?”
Hawaii became the first to legalize medical marijuana through the legislative process 16 years ago. Lawmakers have introduced laws to legalize recreational marijuana; however they don’t think they’re likely to pass this year. There has never been a method for patients to obtain a steady supply of so-called, “medical-grade” Cannabis.
“Do you think maybe we ought to just say, ‘Well, I think we screwed up,'” said Rep. Richard Creagan, vice chair of the House Health Committee. “Maybe we should draw back and reopen the dispensary applications?”
Growers on Hawaii Island have maintained that the Cannabis they grow is medical grade and if given an opportunity to provide medicine to patients, they could do so at a more affordable price.
“It’s either legal or it’s not. But pulling laws out of butts to say that only some parts of the medicine or some plants are legal in Hawaii is the influence of a failing pharmaceutical program developed by the DOH to line their pockets in the coming years.” -Commenter on Hawaii Herald
Other comments indicted the department of health in a conspiracy to weaken the industry. Some are saying the pharmaceutical and big ag industries are working with the department of health and department of safety. Claims range from big pharma buying out dispensaries in a few years to Monsanto being the only approved grower of Cannabis. Other comments say the department of health will destroy the ability of patients to obtain, safe, effective and affordable medicine.
When asked how law enforcement want the program run, Hawaii Island Police Chief said, “it should be more like pharmaceutical.”
According to Tom Yamachika, president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and contributing writer for Honolulu Civil Beat, one reason to rail against magically appearing provisions, taxes or otherwise, is that we need robust public debate about matters that may become law. Legislators and the public alike roundly criticized the Turtle Bay bill last year for its magically appearing provisions, and the discussion this year shows that it had serious flaws.
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