Kokua Line

164 DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE MARIJUANA

Question: I was wondering if you can point me in the direction of
two things. One, how can I contribute to the legalization of
medicinal marijuana everywhere? Second, where can I find a doctor on
Oahu who is participating in writing prescriptions to patients (who,
of course, meet the requirements under the law) for marijuana use?

Answer: In answer to your first question, NORML -- National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws -- would be a good
place for you to start.

The contact for NORML Oahu is the Rev. William Webb, phone 625-9692
or e-mail webba003@hawaii.rr.com.

Webb said the Oahu chapter just formed this year, and "we're still
(taking) baby steps," processing paperwork, etc.

Anyone interested in joining should contact him; he said he'll let
people know once a date for the next meeting is set.

Basically, NORML tries to "educate the public on the benefits of
cannabis -- medicinal, spiritual, even just plain recreational use,"
Webb said. He also pointed to marijuana as a "hardy plant for hemp
to be used for many, many things."

He said the national organization's Web site
- -- www.norml.org/index.cfm -- is a good source of information.

Regarding the name of a physician authorized to prescribe marijuana,
Webb said there is no such list. It's not something that physicians
publicize, he said, and he only knows of one physician because a
member of NORML is a patient.

The state Department of Public Safety, which oversees the medicinal
marijuana registry of physicians and patients in Hawaii, does not
provide such a listing.

Hawaii legalized the use of medicinal marijuana in 2000.

A physician must certify that a patient is qualified for such use
because of a debilitating medical condition specified in the law.

But before a physician is allowed to certify a patient, he or she
must also meet certain qualifications: be licensed to practice in
Hawaii, have a controlled substance registration and be authorized
by the state to participate in the program.

If such a physician certifies a patient, the patient must also
register with the state, then is allowed to possess three mature
plants and four immature plants at any time, plus one ounce of
processed marijuana per mature plant.

At last check earlier this month, there were 164 practicing
physicians who are allowed to prescribe marijuana use: 53 on Oahu;
42, Big Island; 32, Maui; 23, Kauai; four, Niihau; and three, Lanai.