Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0220.006 1996-1998 TESTIMONY ON LAW ENFORCEMENTS' CONCERN ON INDUSTRIAL HEMP HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL INFOP':;ATIONAL HEARING HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COUNCILMAN JOHN RAY, CHAIRMAN BY: LT. CHADWICK FUKUI HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPT. HILO VICE SECTION CHAIRMAN RAY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS: Thank you for the opportunity to give testimony regarding law enforcement's concerns with cultivation of industrial hemp plants in the County of Hawaii, as well as the State of Hawaii. As law enforcement officers we are sworn to enforce laws of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The definition of marijuana is very specific under Chapter 329-1 of the H.R.S. Other law enforcement representatives giving testimony today will be more specific in the definition. We consider any cannabis plant, whether you want to label it "Industrial hemp" or Marijuana, that contains any percentage of Tetrahydrocannibinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient, is illegal under the present state and federal laws. The law does not differentiate between a cannabis plant that has .2~ THC or a plant that has 15~ THC. It clearly states that ANY THC content other than 0$ is considered marijuana, thereby, is illegal. As far as law enforcement is concerned, there is no variety of "hemp" that has 0~ THC. The lowest percentage so far, varies between .2 to .3~. This variety was developed by the Comm. Dio. ~ 2~. ~L Rls 1(0. ~ ~~resented k ~I~pG rt. n.* hwPR 31997 French Cooperative in Europe Union. Some "hemp" varieties go up to 1 to 2$, however, most cultivated hemp averages less that 1$. In Europe Union, varieties are restricted to those with .03$ or less, however, they are contemplating increasing the limit to 1$ to take advantage of the Chinese and Eastern Europe varieties. What next, 23, 3~. Where does it end. Their foot is already in the "door".....This is what we want to avoid. Studies have shown that marijuana contains approximately 421 known chemicals which include a variety of toxin and cancer inducing chemicals. While THC is primarily responsible for the mind altering effects when smoking marijuana, the adverse health effects of the drug results not only 6 from THC, but from the other chemicals which marijuana includes. This fact indicates that THC content of ~marijuana, whether .2$ or 15~, will effect the "high" that is obtained, however, it makes no difference in the adverse health effects. Other chemicals will be consumed. Note that when talking about hemp THC content, these concentration are commonly expressed on a whole plant basis. However, it is fact that selected parts of the plant, such as the "buds" or flowering tops, have significantly higher THC content in any cannabis plant. Studies, and past experience and exposure have also shown that THC can efficiently and easily be extracted and concentrated, even from low THC varieties, by relatively simple methods. One method would be processing the leaves or buds and producing hash or hash oil. This could increase the THC potency from .3~ to 2-3$ THC. More than enough to obtain a pyychoactive response. One should also realize that numerous studies have shown that tolerance levels to THC varies greatly. Some people will easily have significant psychoactive responses to THC concentrations of .2 to .3$ (Dr. M.A. ELSOHLY, Professor, University of Mississippi). You do not have to be a doctor to realize that younger aged children, in their "experimenting" stages of life, will have lower tolerances than adults, who have been smoking for a significant period. Another concern that we have regarding this matter is that of diversion. Without strict and effective controls, how would we prevent people from wandering in the "hemp" fields. How can we stop children or other "curiosity seekers" from trying harvesting some of the plants, to wee whether they will get a "high" or not. How can we stop someone from plucking the leaves or "tops" to process into has or hash oil, or to just process and package the "hemp" and selling it as "top grade" marijuana. We already have people on the streets selling "bunk" (oregano, etc) as high grade marijuana to buyers. There is no way one would be able to tell the difference. In most varieties, there is no discernable difference from Industrial hemp to domestic or commercial marijuana. This would make it very difficult to differentiate the growing marijuana from the ground, and moreso, from the air. This would definitely effect our marijuana eradication efforts. The only definite way would be means of lab tests, which is very expensive and time consuming. This would offer a great opportunity for the commercial grower to plant his "commercial" plants amongst the "hemp plants". This would be ideal for them because police would have a very difficult time discovering this, and this would also allow the "hemp" marijuana to be pollinated from the higher THC marijuana. This pollination will effect the next generation of the "hemp" marijuana through the seeds. A plant with .2& THC, if pollinated from a plant with 15$ THC, will produce seeds that will produce plants with 2 to 3$ THC, depending on other contributing factors. How do we control this. These are some of the major concerns we have. We definitely oppose any form of "hemp" cultivation here in Hawaii. Again, thank you for allowing me to testify in this matter.