mmj dispensaries "justified"

[kalakoa]

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...-justified

Skip to end for punchline:

The Health Department thinks 20 dispensaries statewide would be a reasonable number.

Using the standard "Oahu is 80% of the State", I predict two dispensaries on Maui, one on Kauai, and one on the Big Island, probably in the industrial sector behind Kona Brewing.

[Mendo]

But, over 1/2 the MM patients are on Big Island, and it's... big! I predict at least 2 on Big Island, one on each other island. Good thing that this is moving forward and that the criminalization of this natural medicine is almost over.

[kalakoa]

I predict at least 2 on Big Island

You're absolutely right: one in Kona, one in Waimea. (Insert smiley for the humor-impaired.)

criminalization of this natural medicine is almost over

Not until/unless the Federal laws are changed to allow States' intent; the current "grace period" could expire shortly after the new President is signed in, just two short years from now.

[kalakoa]

would apply to Hawaiian Homelands

If these were actually a sovereign state, yes.

When last that issue was raised, County became very concerned that a sovereign Hawaiian landowner would somehow be exempt from zoning and building code requirements (I wish I were joking).

[kalakoa]

"Hawaii lacks clarity on medical marijuana"

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/sta...-marijuana

1. Didn't realize the (nearly useless) MM program was 14 years old.

2. If/when "they" pass a bill allowing dispensaries, expect 2-3 years for enactment.

[kalakoa]

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/loca...committees

They're trying to add enough requirements to make the effort impractical; I would have greater respect for the lawmakers if they simply said "no".

Highlights:

Hawaii Police Department officials offered multiple suggestions including a request that there be no more than one dispensary license per county, covering production, manufacture and sale of medical marijuana under a single license ... license holders should have the demonstrated ability to conduct chemical and pharmaceutical analysis of any and all medical marijuana produced and sold

Big Island has 6500 MMJ patients. If each of them "only" need to visit the dispensary once/month, that's over 200 visits/day, 7 days/week -- which numbers directly impact the permitting process, leaving very few places a dispensary could be "allowed" under current zoning, even with a willing landlord.

[randomq]

Doesn't the current program already allow a patient or caretaker to grow their own marijuana? Certainly there are plenty of willing "caretakers", with the lack of accounting requirements... So why do so many people want to pay for what is essentially free?

[kalakoa]

Doesn't the current program already allow a patient or caretaker to grow their own marijuana?

Yes, as long as the seeds or starts magically appear from the sky, since these cannot be sold or purchased. Also, the grower will still be harassed by HPD and/or Green Harvest.

Yet, both are less inconvenient than the proposed dispensary restrictions, so the agenda is clearly to keep it "illegal" so that the State can qualify for "eradication" grants.

[leilanidude]

So why do so many people want to pay for what is essentially free?
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Follow the money. It isn't the buyers who want this.
It is the people who want to SELL it, and believe this: those that grow this product to sell it, do not care one bit if it is grown naturally or has all kine pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other chemicals dumped on it or if they use a GMO variety. Natural weed? LMAO.

[kalakoa]

the people who want to SELL it

Sellers already sell; It's the State who wants to regulate and tax.

pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other chemicals ... or GMO

Note the HPD's "testing" requirement doesn't mention those "problems".