US HI: PUB LTE: Stop War On Cannabis

Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 23 Aug 2010 – Our counties are in disarray, and our state, which knows that cannabis is a medicine, is continuing to waste money on a war with a plant that has many proven medical benefits. People are dying on our substandard roads, murders are going unsolved, ice and meth use has increased directly because of Green Harvest, yet our esteemed leaders continue this terrorizing of the citizens with war tactics.

US HI: PUB LTE: German Drug Policy

Hawaii Tribune Herald, 13 Aug 2010 – I am visiting family and friends in Germany. One of my cousins is a police captain in a small city. As it is in the United States, the debate over drug liberalization and the effect it will have on German society exists here, as well. Recently, the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen passed a bill allowing citizens to possess 10 grams (approximately one-third ounce) of cannabis for personal use, up from a previous amount of 6 grams. Some argue that this will encourage people to take more drugs. However, the state’s police president, Hubert Wimber, stated that since small amounts of cannabis for personal use went into effect, the problems experienced with abuse have not increased. He argues that harsh laws do not deter people from taking drugs, and that the number of prosecutions for cannabis has not increased since citizens were allowed to possess cannabis legally.

US HI: PUB LTE: Cartoon On Target

Hawaii Tribune Herald, 08 Aug 2010 – I write in response to Sharon Shambaugh, who, as a Christian, was offended by your editorial cartoon depicting Roger Christie being crucified (Tribune-Herald, Aug. 1). Ms. Shambaugh, you brought up an interesting point and gave me food for thought. There are parallels that cannot be ignored here.