DrugSense

Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 11 Mar 2013 – Why does Hawaii have to propose the highest penalty in the country among (marijuana) decriminalized states? The main issue involving Senate Bill 472 is whether someone has to go to jail or get a ticket. A ticket would save the cost of jailing and trial costs for more than 2,000 Hawaii citizens unfortunate enough to get arrested. Without the jailing requirement, there may be more enforcement of the law and this would generate more revenues via a simple ticket.

DrugSense

DrugSense

DrugSense

DrugSense

Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 05 Mar 2013 – Hawaii island marijuana advocate Roger Christie urged a federal judge Monday to be the first in the country to dismiss marijuana charges because he contends the drug incorrectly falls under the most restrictive federal classification of drugs. Christie’s lawyer, Thomas Otake, told U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi that dismissing the charges would be historic. He said Washington and Colorado recently legalized marijuana and that Hawaii and 17 other states permit medical marijuana.

DrugSense

Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 27 Feb 2013 – The $1,000 Penalty Would Be Firm, but Possession Would Not Require Jail Time State senators are drafting a bill that would decriminalize the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana but would impose a stiff fine on those caught with the drug.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 26 Feb 2013 – Whatever anyone thinks of Roger Christie’s argument that drug laws inhibit the free practice of religion by the church he runs, the way his case is playing out is disturbing. The Hawaii island marijuana advocate has been held in federal detention for more than 2-1/2 years. Due to various complexities of the case, including changes in his own legal representation, it’s hard to know who’s at fault for all the delays. But even an overextended law-and-order system is supposed to do its work as quickly as possible. Justice delayed is justice denied, as they say. – — MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom