COM 1019.000 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A. MARIJUANA ERADICATION 1. Has the Eradication Program Been Effective? No The program is not working. Marijuana has not been eradicated & recent surveys have shown that in Hawaii and the mainland, the number of kids using marijuana has increased steadily over the past three years. (6/16: Krammer- Coleman p. 20, Miller p. 94, Litchty-Att. H) Marijuana eradication has had the following unintended social costs: It diverts police resources away from hard drugs; 1993 and 1994 arrest statistics show that the Police are arresting more juveniles for marijuana use than for hard drugs and cocaine use; It has been a factor in leading to the increase in crack and ice use in Hawaii. They have become affordable, available, and far more detrimental alternatives to marijuana; It has resulted in new production techniques (indoors and on public lands), new products (increased potency & substitution of cocaine and crack), and new distribution or marketing techniques (use of young people). The artificially inflated price of marijuana takes money from families who need it for basic necessities and out of the local economy. (6/3: Shields p. 22. 6/16: Wenner p.5 & 10, Kondo p. 53-54, Hammes p. 57-67 & Att. V, Ruggles p. 85) Yes A goal of the program was to deter people who commercially grow marijuana and set traps in national parks. The program has had a fair amount of success since the 1980s in enabling people to return to the national parks and public areas without fear of violence.( 6/16: Todd p. 62, Spohn p. 127-129) The program has never been intended to wipe out every single marijuana plant on the island. It has successfully eradicated hundreds of thousands of plants, reduced the amount of marijuana grown on the island (6/16: Spohn p. 127-129) Together, law enforcement & treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, and education programs are making an impact. Drug related problems are decreasing and communities are safer. (6/16: Lafita p. 26, Jackson p. 78, Tano p. 110) 2