A bunch of group leaders and regulation enforcement officers have teamed as much as specific their opposition to legalizing leisure marijuana in Hawaii. Their considerations? The illicit market and elevated crime.
Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm stated two current payments supposed to legalize leisure marijuana wouldn’t do away with the illicit market.
“We’re what Marijuana is at the moment, and it’s nothing like it’s at the moment,” stated Alm. “And actually, states which have legalized have an even bigger black market since you’re gonna get extra customers.”
Governor Josh Inexperienced, a doctor has thrown his assist behind the payments, calling hashish a “lesser evil” as in comparison with more durable medicine.
“Marijuana may blunt the impact of individuals on these heavy medicine, horrible medicine. It’s a relative sedative,” he stated. “Persons are far much less violent. They’re extra hungry. Aside from the snacking and stealing Cheetos it might in all probability do a lot much less hurt.”
Police chiefs from Maui and Kauai, who each labored in Nevada when hashish turned authorized there seven years in the past, didn’t agree with the governor.
“Throughout our regulation enforcement careers in Las Vegas, Chief Pelletier and I witnessed firsthand how criminals exploited marijuana legalization to develop their legal enterprises,” stated Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier was much more pessimistic. “You’ll have violent crime greater than you’ve got now, you should have homeless greater than you’ve got now. You aren’t ready to do that.”
Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan talking out towards a invoice that will legalize leisure marijuana. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
Former Hawaii Governor Speaks Out
Even former governor Linda Lingle broke her 14-year silence to oppose the payments. “The underside line is it is a danger we simply cannot take. Now we have huge points to unravel right here. This could make these huge points nearly inconceivable to ever remedy.”
Nevertheless, these within the hashish trade say the problems are solvable and legalization will not be as ominous as it might seem.
Nikos Leverenz of the Drug Coverage Discussion board of Hawaii sees a chance, stressing the potential for enhancing the state’s economic system.
Ty Cheng, president of Aloha Inexperienced Apothecary added that the query contains methods to cut back hurt and ameliorate points dealing with kids.
“By legalizing and placing strict guidelines in place and good regulation, we’ve a a lot better likelihood of defending public security,” stated Cheng.
A joint legislative listening to for the invoice is ready for subsequent week.
Photograph: Oahu’s Halona Seaside Cove, courtesy of Maureen Meehan
