Rep. Marumoto Addresses HB1085 Medical Marijuana Program

Report Title: Relating to Controlled Substances

Description: This measure amends chapter 329, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to bring the Hawaii statutes on controlled substances to be consistent with the federal laws on controlled substances, and increases the fee for the registration certificate for qualifying patients for medical marijuana. Effective July 1, 2011. (HB1085 CD1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQoO4lLtAkA

Representative Marumoto Addresses Amendments to Medical Marijuana Program

Representative Barbara Marumoto rose in opposition to HB 1085 HD2 SD2 CD1, relating to controlled substances.

"We should not be making amendments to the medical marijuana program in a housekeeping bill meant only to bring us into compliance with federal law, which ironically, does not allow medical marijuana," said Representative Barbara Marumoto from the chamber floor.

"Aside from my procedural concerns, I disagree with the $10 increase in the Department of Public Safety’s medical marijuana program and the use of the monies for additional staff," continued Representative Marumoto

"I personally don’t support the medical marijuana program because it facilitates the use of an illegal narcotic. This fee increase will only help perpetuate the program. If there’s one thing we’ve all learned this year, it’s that once you put money into a program and personnel, it’s very hard to get it back out. It’s harder still to shut down the program entirely. In a word, if we provide more money, the program will become dependent - even addicted - upon that money. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I vote no HB 1085 HD2 SD2 CD1," concluded Representative Marumoto.

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