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The governor's vetoes will stand on bills that would have established a commission to consider whether to close or consolidate public schools, created a task force to study medical marijuana, and allowed homeowners the right to dry their washed clothes on clotheslines

July 11, 2008 MEDICAL POT BILL VETO WILL STAND

by Peter Sur, Hawaii Tribune Herald

Senators Wanted To Override Veto, But House Didn't

A bill aimed at improving Hawaii's medical marijuana law remains dead. 

The bill was one of 28 that Gov.  Linda Lingle vetoed and the state House of Representatives didn't try to override.  The Senate overwhelmingly disagreed, voting 20-1 to override the veto, but the House leadership did not bring it to a vote. 

Lingle told the Legislature in a written statement that she objected to the bill "because it is an exercise aimed at finding ways to circumvent federal law.  The use of marijuana, even medical marijuana, is illegal under federal law.  It is, therefore, inappropriate for the State to recommend ways to maintain or increase the supply of marijuana, to make recommendations regarding the development of marijuana growing facilities, or to seek ways to circumvent federal prohibitions regarding the transport of marijuana."

Medical Marijuana: Hawaii allows patients to use medical marijuana if they get a registry certificate from the state Department of health and their caregivers register them as well. This law was enacted in December of 2000 after Gov. Ben Cayetano signed Senate Bill 862.

Other Recent Drug Reforms: The people of Hawaii still remain in the driver’s seat of their government’s drug policy and the politicians are listening. In February 2003, a student drug-testing bill was defeated when civil liberties groups and parents pressured legislators to reject it. The bill, which was supported by Republican governor Linda Lingle, would have allowed schools to drug test students enrolled in athletics or “physically strenuous” co-curricular activities. Many who were called to testify voiced concern that such a bill would keep more students away from extra-curricular activities than it would keep them away from drugs.

In 2000, Hawaii became the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes through the legislative process, adopting legislation similar to what voters have approved in seven other states. Also in 2002, Hawaii became the first state to adopt Proposition 36-style “treatment instead of incarceration” legislation through the legislative process.  Legislators have also passed four bills in support of industrial hemp since 1996, including legislation making it legal for the first hemp test plot to grow in America since the crop was banned after World War II.

While reform has been bi-partisan, much of the success can be attributed to former Democratic Governor Benjamin Cayetano, who has been a leading advocate for reform. Governor Cayetano introduced the medical marijuana legislation that was passed, and has been an outspoken critic of the federal government’s policy towards medical marijuana. Recently he declared, “it’s [about] time that Congress finally gets around to understanding that the states should be allowed to provide this kind of relief to the people. Congress is way, way behind in their thinking.”   Governor Cayetano also strongly supported Hawaii’s “treatment instead of incarceration” legislation, and signed it into law in June of 2002.

Hawaii's Drug Policy Reform Organizations: