4.21.10 Hilo newspaper

[rogerchristie]

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/...ws/local01.txt

All the best to you,

Roger


@@@

[rogerchristie]

Public grills police on pot

Click Photo to Enlarge Kian Tatum, 14, a Hawaiian Acres resident, questions Police Chief Harry Kubojiri, seated extreme right at table, about police conduct during a 2007 raid on his home. Kian confronted Kubojiri during a police department public meeting held Tuesday at Cooper Center in Volcano Village.

Cops are accused of ignoring 'Peaceful Sky' ordinance during meeting

by John Burnett
Tribune-Herald Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 9:19 AM HST

Pakalolo was the hot-button topic Tuesday when Police Chief Harry Kubojiri and other top cops met with the public in Volcano Village.

About 40 attended the early afternoon meeting at Cooper Center. Other issues were discussed briefly, including burglaries and a request for a three-digit police nonemergency number. Most of the speakers' minds, though, were on marijuana enforcement.

Roger Christie, founder of the Hawaii Cannabis Ministry, was raided by federal agents aided by local police March 10, but was not arrested or charged with a crime. He cited a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that concludes marijuana eradication in Hawaii has led to an epidemic of methamphetamine abuse.

"There has never been a mandatory review of the marijuana eradication program, even though it's called the mandatory program review," he said. "The County Council has seen in its wisdom or lack thereof never to do a program review audit that asks the simple question: 'Were there any unintended consequences that have come from spending this tax money on this program?' ... It leaves myself with the uncomfortable feeling that the department is supporting a program that causes crime and violence. And the County Council doesn't want to know because they've refused to audit all these years."

The so-called "Peaceful Sky" ordinance, which makes adult personal possession and use of marijuana on private property the lowest law-enforcement priority, directs the county not to allocate or accept funds for eradication.

Assistant Chief Marshall Kanehailua garnered applause when he said: "There's absolutely no money budgeted for marijuana eradication, plain and simple."

Kubojiri addressed an accusation that police are ignoring the lowest-law enforcement priority as well as the will of the voters who ratified the ballot initiative.

"There are some problems with the ordinance," he said, and cited "pre-emption," the doctrine that federal and state laws take precedence over local ordinances.

Kian Tatum, 14, asked: "How do you conduct a raid when there are kids involved?"

Kubojiri said that for officers' safety "nine times out of 10" they'll enter a house with weapons drawn when serving a search warrant.

"Does that include pointing a gun to the back of the head?" he asked.

The teen sobbed at times, and repeated an allegation he made during a County Council committee hearing in January that officers harassed him and a sister during the raid, which netted 7.6 pounds of marijuana. One officer was disciplined by former Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna following an internal investigation but was not charged with any crimes.

At least one officer, perhaps more, were cleared of both criminal wrongdoing and violating police policies and procedures.

Tatum's father, David, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation in January for commercial promotion of marijuana. He pressed Kubojiri for a more specific answer to his son's question.

"To answer your question, unfortunately, there is an attorney who is working on your side, and I have just been served, so I can't comment on anything," Kubojiri said, an apparent reference to a lawsuit against the police, the county, Kubojiri, Mahuna, Mayor Billy Kenoi and others filed by Michael Ruggles, who was present at the meeting.

Wolf Daniel Braun, president of the Peaceful Sky Alliance, asked Kubojiri if he testified against measures aimed at decriminalizing personal use of marijuana and establishing medical marijuana dispensaries.

The bills were passed by the state Senate but died in a House committee this year.

Kubojiri replied that he did not testify, but he and the other counties' police chiefs lobbied legislators in opposition to the bills.

"Did you do this on your own time or did you do this on county time?" Braun inquired.

"I did this on county time," Kubojiri said, and said the county also paid for his travel.

Kubojiri was approached by Braun after the session about being part of a working group to try to fix problems with the current medical marijuana law.

"I said I would be more than amenable provided it was constructive and meaningful," the chief said. "... I know we're going to agree to disagree at times. As long as we are working for something that we both are satisfied is clear and not vague and ambiguous as the language is concerned."

E-mail John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune--herald.com.


@@@

[Rev Sister Lilli]

Wow.

[rogerchristie]

There are 61 comment(s) on this story

UFB wrote on Apr 23, 2010 9:20 AM:
" We again were cut short treated as second class citizens and never had our concerns heard or our questions answered.......

Look at any story on marijuana the response on the blog is enormous.....

Any public meeting the attendance is far greater on a consistent basis than any other issue....

We have to address this its not going away until we fix it......

Then we can help address the other issues.....When your family is being physically. socially, and economically attacked by your own government and police force there comes a point that you can no longer ignore it........

We have reached that point, the saddest part is its about money and budgets not reducing marijuana use by kids as under the current policy kids can get marijuana easier than they can get beer of cigarettes.....because of the policy of unregulated black market economics.....

Its going to end best we get it over with and move on........ "

Report Abuse
UFB wrote on Apr 23, 2010 9:13 AM:
" According to an Angus Reid poll, 53 percent of Americans are now in favor of legalizing marijuana. A further 68 percent of respondents said that the war on drugs has been a “failure.”....

The opinion on the island oh Hawaii is at least as high as the national poll.....

Many of the people at that meeting have family that is Hawaiian including me and that is why we are here so again your opinion Nakano is wrong, its ignorant, and its racist......

We are the public and our families are under attack by the war being waged against us.......We will not be silenced by anyone........

The chief stopped the meeting so any and all other concerns could be heard..... We waited and then when we got our turn attempted to establish a working group with the police to address the issue........

The meeting was ended before most had a chance to even speak ...... "

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jabba wrote on Apr 23, 2010 9:12 AM:
" Nakona, do you actually think it's just transplants from the mainland that are the only ones condemning our county's marijuana policies?

Do you actually think it's ONLY growers, stoners, and smokers who favor the following of the Low Law Enforcement priority?

You are again wrong on both accounts.

I am a l life-long resident of Hilo and part-Hawaiian and I cheer these advocates on for standing up and protecting us from yours and our state and county governments union supported oppressive and socially conservatives views that YOUR (ELECTED), Nakona officials are doing in not listening to voters and the general public.

How do you expect any of these guys to listen, the council would not even listen to 100 testifiers in to not re-organizing itself.


As a current DOE SCC Board member, a former volunteer high school coach, and teacher,

Lingle had it right. blamd furloughs BOE and unions. "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 23, 2010 9:09 AM:
" "UFB wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:20 PM:
" Nakona......

Your ignorance is obnoxious.........
************************************************

No, your noxious weed drug culture is obnoxious. "

well that little exchange lifted the debate to new lows of tit for tat "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 23, 2010 9:07 AM:
" "on the island buying the copyrights to common "names"

"I have been part owner of a corp called kona gold for many years" "

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HPPres wrote on Apr 23, 2010 8:34 AM:
" Nakona...why do you say the meeting was "hijacked" ?? It was an open meeting to the public, and plenty of people concerned about marijuana and asked questions. We are organized because it is an issue that matters to us, and we want to see the police actually doing their job and carrying out the wished of the voters (and therefore the people who pay the police). "

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lifeisgood wrote on Apr 23, 2010 6:53 AM:
" Konagold thank you for answering part of my question. What I really want to know is are the growers here on the island buying the copyrights to common "names" for strains like Phillip Morris has in CA? Is there a united consortium here that has a plan and is ready for de-criminalization? I am looking to life AFTER decriminalization. Are you all prepared? Tobacco companies are ready and waiting to jump in and take over the majority of operations. Your opinion? "

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wqjackson wrote on Apr 23, 2010 5:20 AM:
" Isn't it funny how the cops always say, " "There are some problems with the ordinance," he said, and cited "pre-emption," the doctrine that federal and state laws take precedence over local ordinances" yet local and state cops don't inforce our immigration laws.

That is because the Feds have a grant program for the eradication of cannabis. That is why the cops can say, "there is no money budgeted for marijuana eradication." They don't need to budget the money since they agree to the terms of the Feds to obtain the grants. The terms is to enforce the Fed's laws against cannabis.

The time has come to end the prohibition of cannabis and hemp! "

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Nakona wrote on Apr 23, 2010 5:00 AM:
" UFB wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:20 PM:
" Nakona......

Your ignorance is obnoxious.........
************************************************

No, your noxious weed drug culture is obnoxious.

It is obnoxious to the people of Hawaii that have had to endure being inundated with people that want to come here and create a haven for your lifestyle.

Look at this article , it was a community meeting with police - that was once again hijacked by the marijuana advocates.

All other issues were drowned out by a single group - pushing a single issue and exploit every public forum for their agenda.

No one even cares if you smoke weed - while you use every reason under the sun to push an agenda of turning our community into a commercial haven.

You all give the term "Burn-Out" new meaning as you have truly burnt out the residents with this issue. "

Report Abuse
UFB wrote on Apr 23, 2010 2:22 AM:
" I no longer smoke pot but.....

There are more of us than you realize and most are hard working Americans........

The marijuana majority emerges
By STEPHEN C. WEBSTER

According to an Angus Reid poll, 53 percent of Americans are now in favor of legalizing marijuana. A further 68 percent of respondents said that the war on drugs has been a “failure.”....

http://trueslant.com/stephenwebster/...ority-emerges/.....

Marijuana Called Top U.S. Cash Crop
Marijuana Takes the Pot as Most Valuable Cash Crop in the Country

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=2735017&page=1...

Weeding through the value of the nation's cash crops, a study released today states that marijuana is the U.S.'s most valuable crop and promotes the drug's legalization and taxation.

The report, "Marijuana Production in the United States," by marijuana policy researcher Jon Gettman, concludes that despite massive eradication efforts at the hands of the federal government, "marijuana has become a pervasive and ineradicable part of the national economy."


Widely publicized 4/20 poll actually shows majority support for drug reforms....

http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0422/wid...pport-reforms/..... "

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yama wrote on Apr 23, 2010 1:50 AM:
" You stoners are out of control. It seems that not a second goes by when you are not thinking about the next hit. And that, friends, is the ultimate sign of addiction. "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:38 PM:
" The President’s Pot Problem
By Richard M. Evans
Source: Providence Journal

Northampton, Mass. -- Now that an initiative to legalize marijuana is officially on the California ballot this November, President Obama should brace for a strong jolt from the west.

If the measure passes (the latest poll puts support at 56 percent), no longer will it be a crime under state law for an adult to cultivate, possess or transport a personal supply of pot. Moreover, cities and counties will be authorized to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution and sale of marijuana, subject to restrictions and protections for minors and public safety. "snip

http://cannabisnews.com/news/25/thread25610.shtml "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:28 PM:
" http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainNew...ry?id=10445334
Marijuana's Drug Status Should Change, Lawyers Say
Law Professors Argue That Current Classifications Block Medical Marijuana Research "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:58 PM:
" sorry

blew that joke the line shoulda ran

"may your bowl runneth over

reminds me of what the nun said when her bra strap broke

my cup runneth over"

oh well better luck next time "

Report Abuse
UFB wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:20 PM:
" Nakona......

Don't make me list all the successful people that use pot again......

Of those 400 there were young Hawaiians and many other ethnicity's.......lives destroyed not by pot but by ignorance and intolerance.....for nothing......

Your racism shows, you clearly have no intelligent argument...

Your ignorance is obnoxious.........

Take some responsibility you are blaming everyone and everything except yourself is pathetic.....

The pots bad, the people that came after me are less worthy than my exulted self......

Get over your self.......all you do is complain so what good are you.......

The dirt bags are the racist, ignorant, self righteous, sadist that revel in the suffering of others.

Normally I like to stick to the issue and not get personal but your hateful rant was ripe for response....

You must of had a few to many vodkas or paxels there dude...sleep it off and you'll feel better in the morning.....

Those people you hate so much forgive you......but are done being bullied...... "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 5:38 PM:
" "that existed before said dirtbaggers came here - '

cannabis and medicinal cannabis has been grown in Hawaii long before cannabis was made illegal in 1937 with Harry Anslingers testimony to congress:

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others."

and

"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races"

and

"Reefer makes darkies think they're as good as white men."

so these laws did not exist in Hawaii before Cannabis was grown here accecpted as payment for taxes to the Kingdom of Hawaii and these laws fall from the poison tree of blatant racism and hatred

wise up "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 5:29 PM:
" "If all those dirt baggers hadn't migrated to and colonized the Big Island to grow dope - in violation of laws that existed before said dirtbaggers came here - we wouldnt be spending money on prosecuting them."

many who use pot are teachers Dr.s and attorneys

in a generality calling citizens dirtbaggers is too harsh and is bigotry

the law is EVIL

to defend a racist sexist Jim Crow law is unwise

wise up "

Report Abuse
Nakona wrote on Apr 22, 2010 4:58 PM:
" konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:12 AM:
" "Those 400 arrest last year for under 1 ounce of marijuana destroyed those people so you could turn in high numbers and pad your budgets..."
************************************************

Or the flip side of the coin is - If all those dirt baggers hadn't migrated to and colonized the Big Island to grow dope - in violation of laws that existed before said dirtbaggers came here - we wouldnt be spending money on prosecuting them.

You knowingly come here to violate our laws - then cry foul and blame the host of your cultural drug colony while you force your lifestyle down everyones throat. "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 11:20 AM:
" "Your right about the attorneys KG....."

it's actually worse

were this gang of shysters not acting supposedly under the color of law it would be a RICO violation combining conspiracy, organized crime, covered up murder, extortion, as this is a racket, racketeering and slavery in the American Drug Gulag

we are the society Orwell warned us about "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 11:04 AM:
" "konagold 3, thanks for bringing into public light the benefits which could be achieved with pot being legal."

and thank you Jaime for bringing such an imaginative style to these blogs

and for tolerating my misspelling of your name a few times

may your bowl overflowith

reminds me of what the nun said when her bra strap broke

my cup overflowith "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:42 AM:
" correction a $15,000,000 money pool

should be $1,500,000 "

Report Abuse
UFB wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:25 AM:
" Your right about the attorneys KG.....

This is a real money maker and they don't have to deal with the rapist, murders, and thieves......

They have been getting a pass on this......They all know Weber was dirty but instead of getting together and proving it they are happy to take a clients money and cop a plea.......

That has been getting overlooked but its not like we do not know......

After all the times he was on the stand and impeached for different things how could the defense, prosecutor, and judge not know this guys word is worthless........

The defendants know and that is why they are standing up.....

Shame on those that pick on those children.......

There is and was no reason to hold a gun to the back of that little boys head.......

or sexually assault his sister......

That little boy was there he knows what happened and all the BS in the world can't change that.......... "

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JaimeZBrowne wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:18 AM:
" "THE REAL Jaime-walks-out-from-behind-the-stage-curtain-onto-center-stage-smiling-and-waving-to-the-audience wearing-her-red “De-criminalize Marijuana” jumpsuit-and-matching-high-heels.

Looking into the audience for konagold3.

She says: "konagold 3, thanks for bringing into public light the benefits which could be achieved with pot being legal.

Unfortnately, our government is stuck in the past and don't have your foresight.:

Jaime smiles and waves to the audience while exiting..

back through the stage curtains. "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:12 AM:
" "Those 400 arrest last year for under 1 ounce of marijuana destroyed those people so you could turn in high numbers and pad your budgets..."

don't forget that the attorneys got $5000 retainers from 70 to 80% just to cop a probation plea

300 times 5000 is a $15,000,000 money pool for local trial attorneys

milk money "

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konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:05 AM:
" "hundreds of plants and pounds of product ready to be sold is a LOT and sure to attract the wrong kind of attention."

one crop acre can produce 9500 pounds from 3250 plants three harvest per year

prior to green harvest and the fall of sugar

folks used to go to the middle of a cane field and carve out an acre un-see-able from the roads

the quantities some folks grow now are small compared to demand even at $250 an ounce which I think is obscenely too much from produce which grows on trees and has physiological properties just like coffee "

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UFB wrote on Apr 22, 2010 10:01 AM:
" That was a public meeting.......We are the public......don't complain when we show up.......Obviously this is an issue that you can no longer brush under the rug........Your gravy train of destroying families to get your performance based federal Byrne grants is exposed......

Those 400 arrest last year for under 1 ounce of marijuana destroyed those people so you could turn in high numbers and pad your budgets.......

Its way past time to audit the eradication program, the police department, the asset seizure fund and the prosecutor..........

So much secrecy in the county........the public wants an audit..........that would no doubt be enlightening........ "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:53 AM:
" correction equaling $17,000,000

typo $19,000,000 "

Report Abuse
UFB wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:50 AM:
" The prohibitionist posting here are stuck in the reefer madness time warp............

People are paying attention and your lies have caught up with you......

Over 400 arrest for under 1 ounce of marijuana last year in Hawaii county.....

Those residents have friends and family that are angry about all the lives destroyed for no good reason......

These groups will continue to grow......The arrogance of the county to disregard the voters is adding fuel to this fire.....

Prohibitionist can stick there heads in the sand and pretend this is a fringe element but they can not hold a public meeting.......they will....be....overrun......its.....over....and.... you.....don't....even....see.....it......you work for us....... "

Report Abuse
RobertT wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:10 AM:
" Sorry Jaime.

Bad joke on my part.

It won't happen again.

HAVE A GREAT DAY! "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:07 AM:
" "personally, i would like to get some land and grow Poppies on it. as far as i know, growing and possessing poppies is legal (even in hawaii).
"

you can grow poppies if it can not be proven that you know how to wound the flower bud/bulb and scrape opium resin from it

then it is a thought crime based only on your knowledge and not whether or not you have actually wounded the bulb or collected opium

you can however make a tea from the seeds and self medicate "

Report Abuse
JaimeZBrowne wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:04 AM:
" Jaime walks out on stage looking really mad.

HEY, RobertT, I don't appreciate you writing in my name.

So, KNOCK IT OFF!

Jaime exits. "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 9:00 AM:
" "The nutshell version is the growers in Humboldt County, CA are worried about possible CA legalization because big tobacco will come in and cancel them out..."

if pot were regulated its real value is that of produce or $2 per pound for un-manicured buds

prohibition creates contraband prices which greatly OVERVALUE that which is prohibited

only the kops and robbers benefit

at $2 per lb a 1000 acre pot farm in CA could produce 9.5 MILLION pounds per year equaling $17,000,000 per year which is 3 times the yield from grapes "

Report Abuse
RobertT wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:58 AM:
" Does the pictured Moe, Larry and Curly have any idea how many people in the county, state and federal government smoke pot?

Of course these "law breakers" can't come out in public and say anything because they will lose their jobs, be fined and go to jail.

The Police Department goes after pot growers because they are too fat, stupid and lazy to go after serious crime.

Busting a pot grower is a great deal easier then doing the necessary leg work in solving a murderer.

Our Police Department is a sad joke!

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE! "

Report Abuse
RobertT wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:51 AM:
" Jaime-walks-out-from-behind-the-stage-curtain-onto-center-stage-smiling-and-waving-to-the-audience wearing-her-red “De-criminalize Marijuana” jumpsuit-and-matching-high-heels.

She is carrying her waterpipe.

She-looks-into-audience-she-sees-Assistant-Chief-Marshal-Kanehailua.

Walking to the edge of the stage…

She says: “Mr. Kanehailua, with all due respect.

Do-you-really-expect-us-to-believe-that-the-time-your-police-officers-spend-going-after-pot growers and smokers-don’t-cost-us-any-money?

Your statement that “there’s absolutely no money budgeted for marijuana eradication, plain and simple”, is a BIG FAT LIE.”

Your-time-and-your-officers’ time-are-budgeted-with-county-money-and-therefore-when-you-are-going-after-pot- growers-and-smokers-then-you-are-using-that-money-from-our-pockets.

Of course you are spending our money!

You're-attempting to-insult-the-peoples’-intellegence-with-such-a-false-claim.

What?

You-work-for-love?

You should be ashamed of yourself!

Why-are-you-not-solving-all-the-unsolved-murders-on-this-island?

Do you even know how many unsolved murders we have on this island?

Do you realize how these victims’ families are suffering not knowing who killed their loved one?

How can you sleep at night knowing you are wasting our tax money going after pot instead of murderers?”

She-takes-a-hit-from-her-waterpipe.
Holds-her-breath,-and-then-exhales.

She adds: “You, Harry Kubojiri and Derek Pacheco, are all an embarrassment to law enforcement.”

Jaime smiles and waves to the audience while…

exiting back through the stage curtain "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:50 AM:
" "it is obvious that DOPE is the most important thing in your lives!"

WRONG

freedom is the most important thing

freedom from a disobedient law breaking police force "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:48 AM:
" "Bottom line, its still illegal"

WRONG

it is legal for blue card holders that's State law and the FEDS say they are not going after med use

quit telling the lie that it is illegal as not all use is

wise up "

Report Abuse
konagold3 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:45 AM:
" "not some poor person with medical permit,"

the attempt to paint all supporters as dealers is hateful dirty pool a smear tactic that is a red herring leading away from the obvious truth that these kops on this island don't want to obey voter approved county law

these are not either State or Fed employees

just crooks who through green harvest steal pot which is eventually sold in Vegas and who don't want to give up the goose which lays the golden egg

wise up "

Report Abuse
shootersroom210 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:13 AM:
" and i am not against growng vegetables, pot or otherwise. itz just a natural plant.

personally, i would like to get some land and grow Poppies on it. as far as i know, growing and possessing poppies is legal (even in hawaii).

just dont make heroin from it. "

Report Abuse
shootersroom210 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 8:05 AM:
" hundreds of plants and pounds of product ready to be sold is a LOT and sure to attract the wrong kind of attention. just how much dope do you dopers need to take care of your 'medicinal purposes' anyway???
and the guns, the weapons,,, just DONT have them around. do you really think the bad guy is going to be scared of a stoner??? no bercause he'll be circling back around you in the dark so he can steal your gun too.
and if you do recklessly shoot in the dark and manage to kill someone, it will be YOU up on charges, NOT the bad guy. because you were TOO STONED to aim properly , TOO STONED to handle a weapon, thatz why. TRUE STORY "

Report Abuse
HPPres wrote on Apr 22, 2010 7:51 AM:
" For all you anti-drug, pro-police supporters out there...there is a site you should spend a few minutes checking out....

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc) is a group of current and former police and prosecutors who want to find a better alternative to the failed "War on Drugs."

It ain't just the stoners who want to see changes to our drug laws. "

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shootersroom210 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 7:48 AM:
" THANK GAWD our officers have enough sense to have their weapons drawn and take immediate control of the situation.
that 14yo boy needs to hold his FATHER accountable for putting him in a situation where he would have a Police Officer's gun at the back of his head.
yes mr. officer, PLEASE continue to protect all of us and use whatever force, even deadly force, to make that happen.
and yes, mr. pot-grower, DONT do drugs with your kids there in the house. itz YOUR fault for putting YOUR kids into that situation.
it is a lie to think that many of these pot-heads are non-violent. too many times there are shotguns and handguns also on the permisies.
because even for self-protection, the illegal nature of drug dealing attracts the bad guys, the ones that also carry guns, the ones that steal in the middle of the night as you sleep. "

Report Abuse
HPPres wrote on Apr 22, 2010 7:48 AM:
" and, to remind all of you anti-drug zealots, more than 35,000 voters passed the Peaceful Sky law in Nov 2008. I'm sure that not all of those folks are "stoners." I'd have to think that most of those folks are, in fact, quite productive members of society. 53% of the voters on this island want to see a change in the marijuana laws, and how those laws are enforced by the police.

So, you can try to paint "stoners" with a broad brush stroke, but in fact, many people who don't smoke pot realize that the "War on Drugs" is a failure and that new approaches are needed. "

Report Abuse
HPPres wrote on Apr 22, 2010 7:40 AM:
" gigsup - what exactly do you mean that "These folks are not productive citizens" ?
that is quite a generalization...and flat out wrong. "

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HPPres wrote on Apr 22, 2010 7:36 AM:
" gigsup - it was the police who scheduled the meeting, not the MJ crowd. and, the meeting was held in Volcano because they could use the Cooper Center, which was larger than other potential meeting locations in the Puna district (that is what the police told us at the meeting). "

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ajg wrote on Apr 22, 2010 6:37 AM:
" All drugs should be legalized.

And ... the public should continue to be educated on the harm of most drugs and they should be vilified as being used by losers. That it isn't "cool" to smoke or do drugs, only losers do that.

This would break the back of the drug trade and lower the amount of customers for the prison industrial complex.

I lived through the 70's and 80's and this is a very qualified opinion. "

Report Abuse
lifeisgood wrote on Apr 22, 2010 6:26 AM:
" rogerchristie and konagold, etc.: Have you seen this article on MSNBC today? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36709977/ns/us_news-life/
The nutshell version is the growers in Humboldt County, CA are worried about possible CA legalization because big tobacco will come in and cancel them out......

" Rumors abound in Arcata that the tobacco giants have already snatched up land and copyrights to the most popular names of weed strains, whether Purple Kush, Big Bud, Headband, Trainwreck or L.A. Confidential."
The growers are considering "branding" like French wines.

My question: is someone here buying copyrights too? Example: "Kona Gold". Do the growers here have a plan for the future, what they are going to do when it is legal to compete, or are they all going to get pushed out and end up on food stamps? "

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Clinton1 wrote on Apr 22, 2010 5:14 AM:
" Wow, you DOPE growers/smokers came out of your fog long enough to drive to Volcano for this meeting! I'm not really surprised though because it is obvious that DOPE is the most important thing in your lives!

Also, the DOPE grower who puts his child up to lying about police actions during his arrest is abusing that child and should be investigated for child abuse. Such a fine example of parenting!

All of you should be ashamed for standing up for this loser! "

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gigsup wrote on Apr 22, 2010 3:57 AM:
" 9 times out of 10 officers will have weapon drawn????? and that 1 time you dont' your dead!! What kind of response was that from a ex-SRT commander? Reach down and grab them before you talk, why you so weak against these folks, something else on your mind, itsgonnahappensoon. "

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gigsup wrote on Apr 22, 2010 3:40 AM:
" Bottom line, its still illegal, until it changes police will bust you. Don't grow hundreds of plants and have multiple pounds, and sell and you will not have to worry. And dealers who are mad at police stay home and let Med permit people fight themselves. County gone mad!! "

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gigsup wrote on Apr 22, 2010 3:37 AM:
" These folks are not productive citizens, they had no place at this community meeting most of them don't even live there. The cheif says he is willing to talk with the peaceful sky guy, do you know who they really are, do your homework before you do it. "

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gigsup wrote on Apr 22, 2010 3:34 AM:
" Who planned this meeting, what was the purpose? It was the same group who shows up at all MJ stuff. These people who were talking were dealers, not some poor person with medical permit, does the county admin get it?? Its a crusade they are on, end it!! "

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colt wrote on Apr 22, 2010 12:51 AM:
" The lame excuse that federal law trumps the local laws is bunk. The constitution reads the local Sheriff is the highest law officer in that area.

Santa Cruz Ca. Has already been through this old argument 10+ years ago.

Law enforcement has shifted it sites to large mob grows and ICE.

This has all been done before. Look outside the island and they'll see.

And by the way I am a BIG supporter of the police officers. It's time to move ahead and decriminalize this weed that grows from the earh. Kill the ICE, patrol the schools. Lets get with the real issues. "

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rogerchristie wrote on Apr 22, 2010 12:17 AM:
" Hello everyone,

Aloha. Here's a review of the federal government report I mentioned that concludes the marijuana eradication program CAUSED the meth and 'ice' epidemic in Hawai'i.

http://www.thc-ministry.org/NIDA_Report.jpg

All the best to you,

Roger


@@@ "

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HPPres wrote on Apr 21, 2010 9:40 PM:
" and to Yama....

GET A LIFE.

The people you slander by calling stoners are good people standing up for their rights. "

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HPPres wrote on Apr 21, 2010 9:37 PM:
" well Nosake, I know that Roger and at least one other person were not residents of the Puna district...but the others who asked questions about marijuana certainly were...as my tag indicates I live in HPP. "

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expatj wrote on Apr 21, 2010 2:20 PM:
" Drink beer. It's a stronger buzz and the police can't raid your house and confiscate your Bud Lite. Just control your aggressive, violent or slutty behavior that alcohol use brings out. "

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UFB wrote on Apr 21, 2010 12:33 PM:
" That was the only meeting scheduled for all of Puna....If volcano wants a special meeting that excludes the rest of the district they should set up there own meeting. The police should come to Pahoa and Keaau......

The meeting was held in the middle of a work day in a remote section of Puna. If it would have been after work in a more central location you would have had many more residents that could have participated....

As it was the people had just began to discuss the issue when we were told the meeting was over, most never got to speak and certainly that discussion could have gone on for several more hours.....

It was not about solutions it was a PR exercise that got the appropriate response from the community....

We expect the police to respect the law we passed......Obey the law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

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RobertT wrote on Apr 21, 2010 12:07 PM:
" bumwad, you hit the nail on the head.

The Police Department doesn't get it because they don't want to get "it".

They could follow the will of the people, but they just don't want to so they use a dumb excuse.

However, they are stupid if they think their ridiculous explanation is believe by anyone of intelligence..

As for Yama, he or she appears to be just plain ignorant and thus is counter-productive in solving the illegal pot issue.

Or, he or she is dumb enough to believe the Police Department's bulls.h.i.t. story.

HAVE A GREAT DAY! "

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Yama wrote on Apr 21, 2010 11:35 AM:
" The stoners never fail to entertain. Gotta give the police credit for listening to all that whining. "

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nosake wrote on Apr 21, 2010 10:48 AM:
" Can't speak for everyone in Volcano but I'll bet more than a few would prefer non-Volcanites take up their issues with the police on their own turf. Volcanites are probably mostly pleased with the police these days because crime is down in our area. "

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bumwad wrote on Apr 21, 2010 9:38 AM:
" The police still do not get it. Just because their budget does not identify funds earmarked for marijuana eradication does not mean they are not continuing to waste time and money on marijuana prohibition.

The lot of them should be fired. "


@@@

[Rev Sister Lilli]

WoW what a smoking topic!

[ammomac]

(insert rimshot sound effect)

be sure to tip your waitress

Originally Posted by Rev Sister Lilli

WoW what a smoking topic!