Councilman Greenwell's Resolution To Encourage The Decriminalization Of Marijuana

Jim Finnel

Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
December 15, 2009

This resolution 281-009 proposed by Mr. Greenwell has the primary focus of addressing the need to decriminalize the use of Cannabis in Hawaii.

The *Peaceful Sky Alliance* supports Mr. Greenwell's resolution. We have specific recommendations for Mr. Greenwell as to how he can improve this legislation so that it addresses specific Hawaii Statutes that require harsh penalties and create criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens and we will be submitting these to the Hawaii County Council when the bill appears for first reading before a committee.

Mr. Greenwell's resolution reflects the mood of the country at large and we see it as a positive step recognizing the inappropriate and harsh sentencing for marijuana use.

Such measures of decriminalizing as proposed in Resolution 281 represent cost-saving measures because resources can be better directed towards more pressing matters of community safety and wellbeing.

Here in Hawaii County, the Peaceful Sky Alliance continues to identify for the Council violations of the Lowest Law Enforcement Priority of Cannabis Ordinance. The County needs to implement this voter initiative, which is the `first step' in the process Mr. Greenwell proposes for decriminalization in the County of Hawaii. Today, December 15, 2009 represents another opportunity for Board Members to address this matter with Hawaii County Council and remind them of their obligations.

Peaceful Sky Alliance will make specific suggestions to Mr. Greenwell and the Council regarding amendments that would cite specific statutes of Hawaii State law that should be revised, amended or repealed in order to remove harsh and unjust penalties for use of Cannabis.

Further, we hope that in a revision of this Resolution, Mr Greenwell could specifically mention the urgent need to address the problem of ICE in our community. A study performed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
1991-1994 final report (*ICE and Other *************** Use: An exploratory Study*) showed findings that the effect of marijuana eradication was to drive up the street price of Cannabis and cause a rise in use of ***************s which became a cheaper alternative to Cannabis.

Mahalo to Councilman Greenwell for proposing Resolution 281-09. We applaud him for his leadership and the steps he is taking to legislate that the *personal use* of Cannabis by responsible adults in the State of Hawaii be decriminalized.

CONTACT: Peaceful Sky Alliance Vice President - Matthew Rifkin
Phone: 917 378 9123
email: peacefulskyhawaii@gmail.com www.
peacefulskyalliance. org
 
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