PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PEACEFUL SKY ALLIANCE SUPPORTS COUNCILMAN GREENWELL’S EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA 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.
Councilman Greenwell of District 8, Hawaii County
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Council regarding amendments that would cite specific statutes of Hawaii State law that should be revised, amended or repealed in order to remove harsh and unjust penalties for use of Cannabis.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 Methamphetamine 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 methamphetamines 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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Thank you Mr. Greenwell for standing up for the people…….In the face of pressure from the police and prosecutors as they seek to protect the sacred cows of marijuana eradication, prosecution, and asset seizure so they can continue to divy up the proceeds (booty)……..shame on Domonic Yagong for failing to follow up on his promise to Kian Tatum, and playing politics. Pretenders, like that playing both sides of the fence should be remembered in the next mayoral election……We expect rude attitudes from Ikeda with comments like “you people” and “”you marijuana people” as he has his nose up in the air of superiority. Hard to understand after the mess he has made of the county. Enriquez, Yoshimoto, and Inishi are about the money and Hoffman only see freedom in his image. He has to protect us from ourselves, sounds like all the other dictators to me……Thank you Auntie Emily for speaking out on your personal relationships with so many of those being destroyed by the war on Hawaii county residents….and standing up for us in the face of so many pushing you against us…….Mahalo auntie….and aloha