by Andrew Walden
With the news of Hawaii Supreme Court Disciplinary Board suddenly blocking lawyers from the Hawaii marijuana dispensary gold rush, the obvious question is -- which lawyer are they blocking?
A quick look through the DCCA BREG reveals that the Maui attorney Anthony Takitani registered "Maui Medical Marijuana Dispensary, LLC" on September 15, 2015--over two weeks after the August 27, 2015 Disciplinary Board ruling was issued. Takitani is listed as both Agent and Director.
Takitani, a former State Representative, joins a long list of political insiders who want to sell marijuana. He is the law partner of State Senator Gil Keith Agaran at Takitani, Agaran and Jorgensen, LLLP.
We asked Takitani if he felt he was violating the Disciplinary Board's ruling. He did not respond to our query. We will update if a response is received.
According to BREG, Takitani's partners in the marijuana business include internationally-known music agent Shep Gordon and local nurseryman Howard Takashita.
A fourth director is Ken Ota whose wife Saedene resigned as a UH Regent in 2014 when financial disclosure became mandatory. At the time, Maui News quoted Mrs. Ota:
"It is for protection of my family," she said, noting that the statement would disclose financial information from both her business and her husband's. "All of our assets will be exposed," Ota said.
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BREG: Maui Medical Marijuana Dispensary, LLC
Background:
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