Back in 2000, Hawaii decriminalized marijuana. That was the first step to helping MMJ patients get the medicine they need, however, much like the law which first legalized medicinal marijuana in California, the legislation’s wording was ineffective and vague.

The law’s holes lead to a number of patients being arrested or having no means of getting their medication. In response to the situation, Brian Murphy, a veteran and MMJ patient, created a co-op of sorts where cardholders could obtain medication once they signed a waiver in acknowledgment of what they were doing.

Maui police recently raided Murphy’s collective and arrested him on the grounds that his operation was actually a drug-smuggling ring operating as a front under Hawaiian law. The governor recently vetoed a bill which would have created a marijuana task force to analyze the situation, so for now, patients are left to find their marijuana on the streets.

So the cycle continues, laws that are passed to help citizens are still being ignored in favor of incarceration.

In the last two years, Hawaii has seen an 87% surge in the number of medical marijuana patients.

Hawaii News reports there were over 4,200 patients in Hawaii for 2008 through last month, about 1,000 more than 2007. A narcotics officer attributed it to a growing number of doctors with practices who have been certifying patients.

Hawaii passed medical marijuana laws in 2000, which said patients must be diagnosed by a medical doctor as having a “debilitating” medical condition such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, severe pain or seizures.

Hawaiian police recently arrested seven individuals for allegedly running a drug smuggling operation, that law enforcement is saying operated under the guise of a medical marijuana organization.

The leader of the group claims the arrests are the result of a lawsuit he filed against state police. Under Hawaii state law, a physician can recommend marijuana use for a patient with a debilitating disease and allow a patient to have seven marijuana plants and up to three ounces of marijuana.

Brian Murphy filed a lawsuit in order to get money back that was seized by police, cliaming money seized in a raid was collected legally under the state’s law. Police seized 335 marijuana plants, 2,300 grams of processed marijuana, 4,830 grams of unprocessed marijuana, 32 grams of hashish, 100 marijuana-laced candies, and more than $14,000 in cash from several homes and businesses.

I should clear that up, since Aloha can mean “greetings” or “farewell.” Technically, Hawaii hasn’t eradicated decriminalized marijuana, but it’s telling law enforcement to look the other way when it comes to cannabis. And if that sounds unclear, it is.

By a vote of 53.1 percent to 38.6 percent, Hawaiian residents voted to make marijuana the lowest law enforcement priority. In my opinion, it’s not necessarily a complete positive because under the new law:

…would put the enforcement of laws against marijuana to each police officer’s personal discretion.

That sounds like a dangerously unclear situation bound to cause legal issues, especially when the district attorney comes out against the law for the right reasons.

Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura said that it posed a danger for law enforcement officials:

I’m opposed to passage of this. I don’t believe it’s enforceable as written.

Hawaiian Sativa is something that looks like it just unloaded off a plane from Hawaii. A nice, plump piece of the big island!

This is one of those random strains you come across once in awhile, not living in the Hawaiian islands, this is relatively an inexpensive buy. A good looking, great tasting, and nice smelling bud that could use a little more kick.

Two faculty members, who teach at Mililani Middle School in Hawaii, allegedly had a sesh before their school day began.

Lisa Luhrsen and Benjamin Ayson were spotted in a car off-campus by an unidentified witness, who reported the two of suspicious behavior. Later, they were both observed under the influence of marijuana and consequently, were arrested.

Both teachers are on paid leave of absence while law enforcement fully investigates the situation.

Let’s hope that Lisa and Benjamin majored in something like poetry or phys. ed., because being stoned is good for plenty things, but teaching math sure as hell isn’t one of them.

[via KPUA]